The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-05-12
SOLDIERS COMING HOME.
Plans for Relief of Troops in the
Philfpnine Islands.


The War Department is preparing to
make a change among the troops now in
the Philippines. Several battalions are
being brought back to the-United States,
but there will be no reduction in the mil
itary force Of the island, as the troops re-
firing will be replaced by others from this
| country. Some of the regiments have been
in active service in the Philippines since
the war with Spain and because of their
long service it is considered just that they
should be relieved and allowed to return
: home
The home battalion system of alter
natlng parts of regiments in tropical
! and home service is to be followed close
ly by the War Department. The first
step in this direction was taken about
| two months ago, when battalion of
the Fourteenth Infantry was invaded
home from the Philippines and the sick
and WORKOUT soldiers transferred to
posts in the West. Recently the Secre
| tary OF War cabled General Macarthur re-
gardlng the situation in the islands with
reference 10 the number of troops under
MS command and the necessity OF sending
| additional troops.
General Macarthur was also asked about
the adVlsabiiity of reduction in the mil
itary iorce His reply, which was received
at the War Department yesterday, is
| against any further reduction of the mil
i'ary icrce at this time, though he agrees
Win the intentions of the War Depart
| ment to replace the invaded regiments
Win fresh troops from the United States.
Il hAL 1t,n
ever. as the work of collecting the iu-
vaiided soldiers in the islands of the
Inihppines cannot be done Immediately
Inc plans Of the War Department official.
| contemplate the formation of invalid bat
! .aiohs among each of the regiments that
nave been in the Philippine service nearly
| TWO years. The men of the invalid bat
| TALON Will consist of soldiers who are
| NOT IN condition for active service but not
SUBJECTS LOT the hospitals. and men who
naVe less than six months to serve before
their enlistment expires The change will
De made gradually and General MacAr-
thur Will be asked to designate the regi-
ments from which invalid battalions are
| to be sent.
The organizations TO be affected by this
order are those that belonged to the first
expeditions to the Philippines. The Four
teenth infantry, which has already sent
1 oattaiiou udCh 10 Inc United
states. was the first regular regiment 10
arrive in the islands. 1t sailed with five
companies in General Anderson.s expedi-
ton which left San Francisco Nav 25
1898. and reached Manila June 30. The mex,
expedition was under Gen f. V. Greene. II
sailed June Is and arrived July II. fhe
regular troops in the expedition were
Companies A. B. E. and G. of the
Eighteenth Infantry, and the headquarters
and Companies D. E F. and H Of the
Twenty-third Infantry. 1t is thought pro.
babie that the invalid battalion will be
formed from. the troops in these reci.
| ments.
Next in order was the expedition unde,
Generals Merritt and Macarthur with Com.
panies c, D. f. and of the Eighteenth
Infantry and Companies B. C. G. and 1.
Twenty-third Infantry and COMPANIES G.
II. X, and l.. Third Artillery. This expe
clifton reached Manila July 81, and thes,
soldiers have been in service in the islam,
nearly two years. as have also those be
longing to the expedition under Genera
OTIS which sailed from San Francisco Jul
10 and reached Manila August l.
| II is thought that the br,nging home O
these troops viii begin befoi, the middle O
July, so that the men to return viii reali,
have two full years in the tropics witf,ou
relief. Secretary Root has received from
General Macarthur Information in regar,
to the reported conspiracy among The na
, lives