The times., 1899-08-17

Plans were completed yesterday for the
raising of additional volunteer regiments
for the Philippine army. The whole mat
ter is now in the hands of the President
for consideration, and it is expected that
the order authorizing the raising of more
regiments will be issued today.
The Secretary of War completed yester-
day afternoon the list of colonels and ma
jors for the regiments proposed, and
copy of this statement, together with
other information regarding transportation
and the manner of recruiting was tele-
graphed President Mckinley for his action
ANY definite information as to the number
of regiments is withheld until after the
Presidents approval. but preparations by
all of the departments of the Army indi-
cate that FIVE regiments will be raised and
probably ten.
Secretary Roots recommendations to the
President contemplate the recruiting OF
nearly all of the 35, 600 volunteers. but not
Immediately. 1t is proposed to raise at
this time only as many regiments as ap-
pear necessary to properly commence the
campaign in the fall and the enlisting of
the full number authorized by Congress
viii probably depend on the situation in
the islands.
Although Secretary Root is supposed to
have no military training, he is taking the
deepest interest in the military operations
in the Philippines. He has had a large
map of the island of Luzon made and hung
in his Office on which the location of the
troops are posted and changed, according
to the information received daily from
General Otis. In this way the Secretary
| proposes TO have the counsel and advice
! of competent military authority at this
! end. and il is not unlikely that he viii to q
/ large extent direct the operations at the
end OF the rainy season.
| The Quartermaster's Department issued
] orders yesterday chartering four more
transports for service between San Fran
cisco and Manila. This action was taken
/ in carrying out instructions from Secretary
! Root TO provide transportation fer at least
five more regiments. The vessels just Sc
cured are the Belgian King. with ca
paeity of 700 men; Charles Nelson. 500;
City OF Pueblo, $50, and Columbia, about
500.
The Charles Nelson is due in San Fran
cisco about the 25th of August, and the
other vessels are expected to be ready for
service before the middle of September.
The Quartermaster' Department has also
been ordered to be prepared to equip five
more regiments, and the Commissary De-
partment is already making purchases Of
food for shipment to the Philippines for
the immediate needs OF an army of $4,000
men.
It is estimated that 100000 pounds of
food viii be required daily. and some of
the purchase just made by Commissary
General Weston are 100000 pounds of
i1our 100, coo pounds of hard bread, 10000
pounds OF crackers, 10000 pounds of
ginger snaps, 750. GOO pounds of coffee, 5000
cases OF corned beef 115.000 pounds Of
goldfish, $50 tons of canned tomatoes, $500
cases of green corn. 900 cases of salmon.
200 cases of lobster. SEQ cases of fancy
soups, 1000 cases of condensed milk 1000
cases of condensed cream, 5000 cases of
oatmeal, 5000 cases OF evaporated fruit
q, 900 pounds of chocolate, $4,000 gallons of
vinegar, 5000 barrels of ginger ale in
bottles, 80 cases of mushrooms, II, 900
pounds OF pepper. 5000 pounds of Ameri
can cheese. several thousand pounds OF
candy in half-pound boxes. 10000 pounds
of plug tobacco II. .009 pipes of assorted
sizes, several thousand pounds of smoking
tobacco.
1t requires 130 tons of bacon a month to
supply the troops in the Philippines. This
is cured and shipped from this country
while the fresh beef used is purchased in
Australia and shipped in a frozen condi-
tion to Manila