The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-12-25
THE VOLUNTEERS
MUST REMAIN
Until Congress Enaets
Army Legislation.
THE NEED URGENT.
thought That the Bill viii be Passed
at Early Date.
ARRANGEMENTS FOR RETURN
Except the Ninc Thousand Whose
Transportation Has Been Provided
For No Nurther Action VIII
Be Taken Until Con-
:ress Passes
ARRANGEMENTS FOR RETURN
lEy AssoeIatcd prrss J

WASHINGTON, Dec. 2i-lfs a result OF
conference between the Secretary Of
War and OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES r.,,dfne-
ton, it has been decided tral no further
action can be taken with regard to the
return OF the volunteers from the FhIl-
ippines until Congress shall make pro-
vision for their replacement.
The War Department is considerably
embarrassed by the failure of Congress to
make provision before the recess for the
relief of the military situation in the
Philippines
Acting upon representations made bv
General Macarthur, the department has
cohctuded that it IS ;hsolutaly necessary
% maintain an army of 6oG68 men in the
philippines until the current po,fcv ~
establishing municipal governments;
'hrouShopt the archipelago has been ex
ecuteo- 1t is stated at the Department
tAat any reduction of the military
strength below that figure under existing.
conditions would undoubtedly prove most
disastrous to the interests of the JTnite,!
States.
No FURTHER REDUCTION.
Ihere are now about 690G0 troops rcgu.
ars and volunteers in the Phi.ifsoines. aud
ing, home S,1GD of that number No FUR
tiler reduction will be made ylnru 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 1na,e as rapidly AZ
possible all the volunteers and. regular:
whose terms of enlistment expire on the
?ath OF June next. cut not Before it is
possible to replace them man for man
with new recruits enlisted under the terms
OF the rev army Oil.
It, therefore,. appears that nfter tue
9eG0 volunteers have left the Philippines
more troops Will be withdrawn from
that country until they can De relieved
by fresh troops recruited in che United
States in accordance with legislation yet
TO be enacted.
1t is said that Congress will act prompts
ly on the army bill soon after Ii reas-
sembtes in january but even in that
event. it is istfth at the War Department,
it Will not be possible to get the fresh
troops to the Philippines inside of two
months time. The general home coming
movement of the mass of volunteers,
therefore. will have TO be postponed until
about the first of February. that Will
give the QuarterinasterS Department but
five months time to bring hcme the re-
ynalnder of the volunteers aud the regular
troops whose terms will expire at the
same. time spggregatilg about O,c60t men,
before the first of July.
TfTt. TRANSPORTS.
This undertaking is believed TO be peyond
rha capacitv OF the transport service as
at present organized. and may neeessitats
the charter OF additional steamships All
arrangement in that line. however, VIII
be held in ooeyance until definite inforn'.i-
RON has been received; OF the tnteEtion
of Congress with regard TO the proposed
increase in the resular army.
Recent cable advices from General Wac
Arthur indicate strong desire on ule
part OF the volunteers Senera-ty 70 r.
r,rr5 to the United states, and that com
paratfvely few of them are Likely TO re-
enlist without the most liberal induce
ments are offered.
1t is understood that General Macarthur
has recommended that a bounty OF S2o
he allowed 70 each soldier in the Fh!iip-
pines who re-enlist for another term. aEtes
the plan is said 10 meet with the faVor
OF the officials of the War Department