New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-03-07
ARMY LAWYERS KEPT BUSY.
OBSCURE AND CONTRADICTORY FEATURES
OF THE NEW RECLAMATION LAW.

OF THE NEW REORGANIZATION LAW
Washington. March DSpecisD--The Army lxw-i
yers are and for some time TO come will conunuel
10 be busy trying TO reconcile contradictory and
obscure provisions in the for Increasing the
efficiency OF the Army Of the United States and
for other purposes" II cannot be said that they
have made much progress as yet and they VIII
hardly expect % receive much help from the franz
ers and advocates Of the measure in Congress. In
most cases the trainers OF a law are able 70 throw
good deal Of light it in regard 10 the Intent OF
Congress as expressed In it's provisions but as an
official remarked to-day: Nobody in Congress ap-
pears understand what it's intent was in enact
ing this piece legisa ton"
The utmost anxiety is felt by officers who under
the provisions OF the act are entitled promotion
In the increased" Regular Army. II their COM
missions to expire on July l. 1901 few OF them
can afford will be inclined 10 accept promotion.
For example twenty hve captains. say. are eligible
and entitled TO promotion 10 the rank OF major ac-
cording to the terms OF the act but II they are TO
lose their commissions and be mustered out Of the
military service at the end of twenty-eigbt months
most II not ALL OF them will prefer 10 retain their
present rank with security for the future. rather
than trust TO the chance OF future and more intei
gent action by Congress II has been suggested
a way out OF the dilemma that the officers so
promoted may neglect formally to accept their new
commissions. and continue draw the pay OF
their present rank until Congress acts in the mat
ter when II be provided that acceptance shall
be made 10 ds'e from the date OF commission and
II Congress sna take no action the only officers
affected by the German provso Will be second Ieu-
tenants appointed under IL. who will nave ess at
stake than any OF the others.
Some officers OF the Army are inclined to believe
that II will be found ne resssry before midsummer
TO call into the service the volunteer force author
lied by the new law In conversation with Trib-
correspondent to-day one OF them remarked
one fact must be taken into consideration In all
cacula lions and estimates OF the number OF troops
required for service In cuba and me Philippines.
When the sicky season comes - per cent OF them
will be unfit FOR duly rather more than
half Of them VIII be continuously III for duty, and
d considerable percentage viii be suffering from
diseases that cannot be cured IN tropical climate.
II We have. say. 80 90 men In the Philippines.
more than boo will be III for duty Al any
time. | see that the chief surgeon there reports
that certain diseases 10 which the troops sub
Ject cannot be successfully treated In that climate
The consequence will be that within few months
We Will have several thousand invalid officers and
soldiers on their way TO the United States. whose
places Will have to be filled with recruits. shall
be sOmew hat surprised II IL Is not found expedient
and necessary. after all 10 call into the service the
volunteer force provided for by tNe new law.