The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-08-26
OTIS OBJECTS TO CAVALRY.
AFTER MILITARY COUNCIL HE
c ASKS THAT NO MORE BE SEMI.

That Branch of tho Army Unsuitable for
Philippines Campaign and Forage
soarce-He Will Have $500 Cavalrymen
and That Will Do-The Negro Regiment.
WARRINGTON, Aug. 25.-Major- Gen. Otis has
informed the War Department BY cable that at
a conference Of general officers In the Philip
pines. called by him. II was decided that no
more cavalry was necessary to the conduct OF
the campaign in Luzon. Gen. Otis said that
the country was not suitable for cavalry opera
lions and that the question OF securing forage
for the horses had become embarrassing.
In view OF this decision OF Gen. Otis and the
division and brigade commanders OF his corps.
no more cavalry will be sent to Manila. 1t will
also prevent the formation Of any regiments OF
volunteer cavalry. except that now being or
ganized by Gen. Otis In the island OF Luzon.
The only mounted troops. therefore. that will
participate In the coming aggressive campaign
In Luzon will be the Fourth Regular Cavalry,
the Eleventh Volunteer Cavalry and eight
troops OF the Thirty second Regular Cavalry.
About half the number OF men required
for tho Eleventh Regiment had been
secured by Gen. Otis. When that regiment
has been recruited to full war strength. 1900
men. and the eight troops Of the Third have
arrived at Manila. the cavalry force In the
Philippines will consist OF 1890 men.
1t was contemplated at one time to organize
another regiment OF volunteer cavalry. so as to
give Gen. Otis a force Of nearly 5000 men. In
the campaign with the Filipinos. from Febru-
airy until the beginning OF the present rainy
season. the cavalry under Gen. Otis consisted
OF only four troops OF the Fourth regiment. The
remaining eight troops OF that regiment are
now In Luzon. and the eight troops OF the
Third will reach there shortly.
Lieut.-Col William p. Duval. OF the Twenty
sixth Volunteer Infantry. who is n captain OF
the First Artillery OF the regular service. has
accepted the colonelcy of the regiment OF negro
infantry which the War Department has de-
cided to organize. Col. Duvall is now with the
Twenty-sixth Regiment at Plattsburg Bar
racks. N. Y His new command will be desig-
mated rs the Forty-eighth Infantry Regiment.
U. s. V. 1t will be recruited from the country
at large. Despite the pressure brought to bear
on President Mckinley and the War Depart
ment to grant commissions to colored men 1T is
probable that all the officers OF the Forty eighth
| will be white. and the field officers will I'M
questionably be selected from the regular SER
vice.
The War Department may have in con tenn
plation the organization OF more volunteer
regiments and 1t is credited with that nten-
ton. but II was said to-day on good authority
that there was no present intention OF forming
any moro volunteer regiments after the Forty
| eighth has been recruited. The reorganization
law permits the President to form twenty
| seven volunteer infantry regiments and three.
| calvary regiments. The surplus remain
ing OF the maximum number Of enlisted
men authorized for the volunteer service
| by that law is just sufficient to permit
OF the organization OF three more infantry
| commands. which would bring the total num-
Der OF infantry regiments up to twenty-six.
The negro regiment will be in addition to the
| . toto ,try
| and the ono regiment Of volunteer cavalry now
organized or in process of organization. When
| all the volunteer regiments to be formed have
| been recruited the volunteer army will con-
sst OF 81 .307 enlisted mon. or within 1903 Of
| the limit prescribed by law.