The record-union., 1899-03-30

WASHINGTON, March 29-It is
stated at the War Department that the
subject of mastering in $4,000 volun-
teers as per military army reorganiza-
ton bill has not been mentioned to the
President either by Acting Secretary
of War Meiklejohn or Adjutant Corbin.
There is no intention to bring forward
this question at the present time, as
with the troops already ordered to Ma
Mia, and which it will take some
months to transport thither, General
Otis has all the forces necessary to
accomplish what is desired of him in
! the Philippines.
1t is stated at the War Department
that the greatest demand for organiza-
tion Of the 81, 600 volunteers comes from
the men and the friends of men who
desire places as officers There are al
ready many applications on file, and not
only men who served with the State
troops, but those who have served in
staff positions and have been mustered
out, are anxious to- again enter the SER
vice.
The authoritative announcement has
been made that the President will not
organize this provisional army unless
from General Otis for more troops than
are now on their way to Manila. His
last call was for three batteries of light
artillery. These were placed at once
under orders for Manila, and are on
their way to San Francisco. They will
sail about the 10th of April.
Those who insist that the provisional
army must be organized say that they
L, IL l1~,I 1f,,oc-
which indicates that a volunteer army
cannot be enlisted for six months, as
provided for in the bill, from those who
will be mustered out when the ratifica-
tions of peace are exchanged. 1t is
claimed that these volunteers will de-
mand transportation home at once, and
that there will not be enough regulars
in the Philippines to carry on the war
with the Filipinos
Adjutant General Corbin says that in
formation received direct from General
Otis is to the effect that the volunteer
troops now in the Philippines have re-
monstrated against being sent home
while the active operations are in pro-
gress. General Otis said that the vol
unteers had patriotically declined to
take advantage of that privilege, and
have expressed the desire to continue
in service as long as there was any
fighting to be done. He added that
they We're in excellent health and spirits
and were rendering most efficient SER
vice.
A statement prepared at the War De-
partment in regard to the regiments
under orders and en- route to the Phil
ppines, shows as follows: Twelfth In
fantry and four companies of the
Seventeenth Infantry on the transport
Sheridan. now nearing Manila. The
headquarters and six companies of the
Ninth Infantry left San Francisco
March 24th. Six other companies of
the Ninth will leave the same port in
a day or two. The Sixth Artillery will
leave it's present station April 10th. The
Twenty-frst Infantry will leave its
present station April 18th, and the
Sixth Infantry, Thirteenth Infantry and
Sixteenth Infantry and Light Battery
F, First Artillery; F of the Fourth Ar
tillery and F of the Fifth Artillery, are
now all under orders to prepare for
transportation to Manila by way of
San Francisco, and will be forwarded
as fast as troopships can be secured for
the long voyage across the Pacific.
These troops number about 10000 in all,
and their arrival at Manila will greatly
strengthen the fighting force of Cen
eral Otis