Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-12-25
War Department Embarrassed by
Failure of Congress to Pass
ARMY REORGANIZATION BILL.
officials Have Concluded That &C. 300 Men
Must be Kept In Philippines Until Pol
ICY of Establishing Muuicipai Govern
ments Throughout the Archipelago Has
Been Executed-oniy 5000 Non WIN
be Sent Home Until Department is Adj
vised of Purpose of Congress.
CBy Telegraph to virginian- pilot>

(By Telegraph to Virginian- Pilot)
Washington, d. c.. Dec, 24-As q re-
suit of a conference between the Secrc-
tary of War and Quartemaster General
Ludington, 1t has been decided that no
further action can be taken with regard
to the return of the volunteers from the
philippines until Congress shall make pro-
vision for their replacement. The War
department is considerably embarrassed
by the failure OF Congress to make pro-
vision before the recess for the relief OF
the military situation in the Philippines,
Acting upon general representations made
by General MacArthur, tho department.
has concluded that it is absolutely ' ne nss-
S;try 10 maintain an army of 10000 men
IN the Philippines until the current policy
of establishing municipal governments
eCuted.
REDUCTION DISASTROUS.
re II Is ia, tated at the department that any
f fsat asr OF the military strength below
could undoubtedly prove most disastrous
to nth, the interest to the United States.
lars and volunteers, in the Philippines,
and arrangements have been made al.
ready for bringing home 5000 OF that
WILL AWAIT CONGRESS.
No further reduction will be made I'M
III the War Department is advised fully
army legislation. When the necessary au-
thorty has been stven 1t Is the purpose
idly as possible all the voiunteers s1 and req
ularS whose terms OF enlistment expire
on the Soth of June next but not before
man, with new recruits enlisted under the
terms OF me new army bill; 1t therefore
have left the Philippines no more troops
VIII be withdrawn from that country un-
I'll they can be relieved by fresh troops.
recruited In the United States, in acord-
ahce with legislation yet to be enacted.
PROMPT ACTION EXPECTED.
1t is expected that Congress will act
promptly on the army bill soon after it
event., it is said at the War Department
It will not be possible to get the fresh
months time
The general. home coming movement
Of the mass OF volunteers there fore viii
OF February. That will give tho quarter
masters department. but five months
volunteers and the regular troops. whose
terms will expire at the same time, aggre-
gting about 10000 men, before the first OF
TRANSPORT SERVICE LIMITED.
This understanding is believed to be
beyond the capacity of the transport SER
necessitate the charter OF additional
steamships. All arrangements in that line.
however. Will be. held in allegiance until
the intention. OF Congress with regard to
the proposed increase OF the regular
WANT TO COME HOME.
Recent cable advices from General Mac
Arthur indicate a strong desire on tho
part OF the volunteers generally TO re-
turn , to the United States and that COM
enlist without the most liberal induce
ments are offered. II is understood that
In the Philippines who re-nlist for anoth-
err term and the plan is said to meet with
favor OF the officials of the War Depart