New-York tribune., 1900-12-25
A WAITING NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
RETURN OF VOLUNTEERS FROM THE
PHILIPPINES POSTPONED.

Washington, Dec. pas the result of q con-
ference between the Secretary of War and
Quartermaster- 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
barrassed by the failure of Congress to make
provision before the recess for the relief Of the
military situation in the Philippines. Acting
on representations made by General Mac
Arthur, the Department has decided that ii is
absolutely necessary to maintain an army of
sixty thousand men in the Philippines until the
current policy Of establishing municipal govern
ments throughout the archipelago has been ex-
ecuted. 1t is said at the Department that any
reduction of the military strength below that
figure under existing conditions would
doubtedly prove most disastrous to the interests
of the United States.
There are now about sixty-nine thousand
troops, regulars and volunteers. in the Philip
pines and arrangements have been made al
ready for bringing home nine thousand Of that
number. No further reduction will be made
until the War Department is advised fully Of
the purpose of Congress with regard to army
legislation. When the necessary authority has
been given, it is the purpose Of the Department
to bring home rapidly as possible all the
volunteers ard regulars whose terms or enlist
ment expire on June 80 next. but not before IT
is possible to replace them man for man with
recruits enlisted under the terms of the new
Army bill. It therefore appears that after the
nine thousand volunteers have left the Philip
pines, no more troops will be withdrawn from
that country until they be relieved by fresh
troops recruited in the United States in ac-
cordance with legislation yet to be enacted.
It is expected that Congress will act promptly
the Army bill after it reassembles in
the War Department, IL will not be possible To
get the fresh troops TO the Philippines inside OF
two months time.
The general homecoming movement OF the
of the volunteers therefore will have TO
be postponed until about the first OF February.
That will give the Quartermaster's Department
only five months to bring home the remainder
of the volunteers and the regular troops whose
terms will expire at the same time, aggregating
about forty thousand, before July /. This un-
dertakng is believed TO he beyond the capacity
of the transport service as at present organized
and may compel the charter of additional steam
ships. All arrangements. however. will be held
in allegiance until definite information has been
received of the intention Of Congress with regard
TO the proposed increase Of the Regular Army.
Recent cable advces from General Macarthur
indicate Strong desire on the part of the volun-
teers generally TO return to the United States,
and that comparatively few OF them are likely
TO re-enlist without the most liberal inducements
are offered. It is understood that General Mac
Arthur has recommended that a bounty OF 500
be allowed TO each soldier in the Philippines
who re-enlists for another term. and the plan is
said to be favored by the officials OF the War
Department.