Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1899-08-26

If the Call is Issued It Will Prac.
tically Complete Provisional
Army.
Washington, Aug 26.-Plans are UNI
der consideration in the war depart
nlent for the organization of three more
volunteer regiments, and it is probable
the full volunteer army of $4,000 will be
called out.
While the chief officials of the depart
ment are reluctant to discuss the mat
ter, there is good authority for the
statement that the organization of these
additional regiments is being prepared
One of them is to be composed of me-
groes.
Twenty three regiments of volunteers
have already been ordered, and three
more will bring the force of enlisted
men up to $4,000 The other thousand
authorized by law may be allowed for
officers, but if it is decided that the law
permits $4,000 privates, a reserve force
of 1000 men may be maintained to fill
the vacancies that are sure to follow
from sickness. discharge, etc.
The addition of these three regiments
will give Gen. Otis an army of $1,000 or
more. After making allowances for in
effectiveness and garrisons he should
have between 10000 and $4,000 fighting
men. This is almost the limit of the
force that the government can give. him
under existing statutes. A few regulars
may be withdrawn from Cuba and
Porto Rico, but they would not mate
rally strengthen the Philippine army.
On the basis of previous distributions
Illinois will be entitled to about six
commissions in the three regiments,
Michigan and Indiana four each, and
Wisconsin and Iowa TO three each. The
three regiments will call for $50 officers.
Adjt. Gen. Corbin, by the way, says
the war department is Still awaiting
proper recommendations for the officers
to be selected from Illinois for the see
lond ten regiments of volunteers, and he
thinks it will be next week before their
appointments are made.
The regimental officers of the negro
regiment are to be white, but the com
lpany officers will be black. Capt. Will
liam z. Duvall, of the First artillery.
is said to be slated for the colonelcy of
/ the regiment. A strong effort is being
devious at Fort Mcpherson, Ca, or
some other point in the south.
| Both whites and negroes have urged
the use of black troops. One argument
advanced is that they will be a good
object lesson to the Filipinos, who will
be afforded an opportunity TO see black
linen treated by the dominant race with
the same rules and justice as whites.
There is some prejudice in army cir
lcles against the use of negroes partly
4 because it takes longer TO get them into
shape, but military men generally con
lcede they make fine troops after being
| set up. The record the black fighters
made in front of Santiago is the best
possible evidence of their value as SOL
! diers. Steps have already been taken
Ito secure good men for company and
on-commissioned officers, and it is the
Intention of the department to make up
This regiment of the finest material of
1.-THE black race.
Adjutant General Corbin says he is
unable To announce when the Thirtieth
| United States volunteers viii be ord
! cred from Fort Sheridan to San Fran
}cisco but he gives warning that it Will
I be before long, and that the order may
4 come any day. As soon as the regi-
Ements are ready to move and the trans
tportation can be provided. they will be
ordered to the Preside, whence they
| viii be forwarded as rapidly as trool
ships become available. 1t is thought
probable at the war department that
orders for the Thirteth to move will
be issued next week, because of the de
4 sire of the authorities to get the troops
under way to General Otis at the earl
lest possible moment, but, as militar,
movements are necessarily slow, tbs
border may be delayed some time longer
4 Naval officials state that the reported
proposition from the Cleveland and To.
iledo Naval Reserves to send men to tht
4 Philippines cannot be accepted by tbs
navy There is no law for the enlist
lment of naval volunteers, and the only
way in which the Toledo and Cleveland
bodies can get into the United State.
naval service is by enlistment as sailor.
in the usual way
4 Since the beginning of the Spanish
war there have been enlisted in the reg.
i ular army 90,671 men. This include.
4 those who We're discharged after tn,
i close of the war and the increase of tn,
4 regular army for service in the Philip
. pines. Applications from 31O,O65 wer,
raiacted