The sun., 1900-12-15
Volunteers TO
START TO
RETURN HOME
Macarthur Given Instructions
by the Secretary
Of Var.
ORG ANIZATI0N PLANS MADE
Action Taken in Expectancy of the
| Authorization by Congress
| of the Enlistment of
| Regular .Regi-
| menrs.
ORG ANIZATION PLANS MADE

Washington, Dec. 14.-The secretary Of
war has cabled instructions to Major
General Macarthur at Manila to begin
the work of returning volunteer troops
from the Philippines in order to permit
of their discharge in this country by the
Both of June next. This action has been
taken in anticipation of the authorization
by congress of the enlistment of regular
regiments to replace the recalled troops.
Plans for the organization of the pro-
posed new regiments have been perfected
ut the war department and complete ar
rangements made for their speedy re-
cruitmeat and equipment. Action in this
matter awaits only the approval of CON
grcss.
1t is hoped by the secretary of war and
the military authorities that the bill for
the reorganization of the army now be-
fore the senate will become a law before
congress fakes a recess for the holidays
on the 21st inst. The officials make no
secret of their great concern over the ex-
listing situation and say that the failure
of congresslto take immediate action for
it's relief Undoubtedly will result in con-
siderable embarrassment to the govern
| ment and seriously retard the execution
| of the administrator policy for the es-
| tablishment of an efficient and stable gov
| ernment in the archipelago.
The opinion is expressed at the war
| department that there is no prospect of a
| general re-enlstment on the part of the
| volunteers in the Philippines. The rec
ords of the department all tend to show
that only small percentage of the state
| troops are likely to serve beyond their
| present term of enlistment. Officers serv-
| ing with volunteer regiments in the Phil
| ippines have been sounded on that point
and have reported general disinclination
| on the part of the volunteers to prolong
| their foreign service.
| The Oflcers' Reports.
| Most of tho officers reported that many
| of the volunteers might possibly enlist
after they have had chance to visit
| their homes, but certainly not before.
The testimony on that line was almost
/ unanimous. 1t is recalled that a similar
state of affairs existed among the state
| volunteers recruited during the Spanish
| war. There were about 10000 of these
volunteers in the Philippines when the
| volunteer regiments were mustered out
at the close of the Spanish war, and Of
| that number only 1,450 men re-cnlisted
for service in the Philippines in the pres,
| ent volunteer army, Notwithstanding the
| liberal Inducements offered by the gov
ernment to that end, including travel pay
| allowance to the amount of $400 to each
man who re-enliated.
The plans of the war department for
bringing home the volunteer troops are
shown in the following cable message:
WAR DsPARTNssT. ADJusAsr GHsRnAL's oFRIcs
Dec. IL, 1900.
| Macarthur, MANILA
Send volunteer convslesoents to tho capacity o.
the next transport returning and volunteer reg
ment by transport following. As you report Co. O1C
now the secretary of war directs that you star,
home the volunteer regiments until the force i,
reduced t- 6o000, the number fixed before begin
ming re- .foroement by regulars. will send yor
regular regiments to further relieve the yolun
teers CoRBIN
MANIA, Dee. 49,
Adjutant General, Washington:
With reference 10 your telegram OF the It'll
the Thrty-scventh infantry regiment United States
volunteers sails transport Sheridan Jan. anc
the Eleventh regiment United States volunteer
cavalry Jan. Is. The movement will continue al
directed till completed. The Thirty.sixt reg
ment United States infantry is in the field snd
cannot leave at present. Authority 10 requested
to retain regular officers in the volunteer service
whose regular organizations arc here; also volun
teer officers now assigned to special duty who &C
desire, with a view to muster out June 80. Al
important question Of policy is involved, as tn,
departure OF volunteers almost renders it impossi
BILE to furnish officers for special duty, the neoes
sitiea for which increasing. Transport Sher
| man leaves Dee. Is with about 800 volunteer con
valescents and the transport Warren Dee % with
the number. Amy remaining will go or
tssnspost Sheridan Jan. l. MACARTHUR