The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-08-13
RESERVE PHILIPPINE MEN.
ADDITIONAL VOLUNTEERS MAY BE
RECRUITED TO he HELD HIRE

The War Department Planning to Have
Troops Ready for Sailing at Once inICas
There should he Need for MoreThnn the
10000 who Arc to BE Put In the Field
WASHINGTON. Aug. 12.-1t was learned this
afternoon that the Secretary OF War has In con-
temptation the increase Of the forces In the
Philippines beyond the 10000 already an
nounced by the War Department. While no
definite number has been determined upon,the
question OF providing several more volunteer
regiments is under consideration. Gen. Miles
has already indicated to secretary Root that
he considers 1t eIpedient to enlist several reGi-
ments more OF volunteers and either send
them to the Philippines. in tho regular order
OF transportation following these now being
organized. or hold them in reserve in this
country to be ordered to Manila should 10 de-
develop that the force now determined upon
should be increased. 1t is more probable that
If other reaiments are recruited the latter
course will be followed. as Secretary Root be-
lieves that at the present time there Is no in
dication that more than the 10000 troops will
be necessary.
g5ecretary Root said this afternoon that at the
present time the Department ia preparing to
give Gen. Otis an aggregate army OF 10000
troops before the middle OF November. When
asked IL the Philippine army would be in
creased beyond that. he replied:
If 1t should appear that more are needed
they will be sent. All the men necessary for a
proper and successful campaign will be sent to
the Philippines"
Referring to the proposed second trip OF the
transports. he explained that after the 10000
men have been sent to Manila on the first voy-
age OF each OF the transports the vessels will
continue to make as many trips as ne cessary
to carry to the islands the troops to be or
dered there, The indications at this time
arc that Gen. Otis will be retained in
command in the Philippines and that he
will have an army OF the best possible mate
rial. He will have all possible assistance to
enable him to suppress the instruction before
Jan. and troops are to be rushed to Manila
between now and the middle OF Novem Der Just
as rapidly as the transport feet can carry
them.
The purpose Of the schedule OF second trip
was to give both Gen. Miles and Secretary Root
statement showing what can be done in tho
transportation OF more troops. should the con-
duct OF the campaign between Dec. l and
Jan. | show that It would be BILE
to increase the force. The plan under
con alteration now by the Department Ia to
continue the recruiting Of volunteers until
there is a sufficient number on hand to organ
lie two or three. or even more. regiments and
gather them in shape for service In the Philip
pines should they be needed BY following
this plan the department would have the men
on hand whenever they might be wanted. and
there would be no delay in recruiting them for
service.
The returns received at the War Depart
ment this week have been highly gratifying.
and the record OF enlstments shows that there
will be no difficulty in procuring material for
many more volunteer regiments should they
be wanted