The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1900-12-15
EAGER TO RETURN
Troops in Philippines Tired Of
Foreign Service.
VERY FEW WILL RE-ENLIST
War Department Alarmed
About Getting Soldiers.

Washington, Dec. 1.-THE secretary Of
war has cabled instructions to Major
General Macarthur at Manila to begin
the work Of returning the 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 enlist
ment Of regular regiments to replace the
recalled troops. Plans for the organiza-
ton of the proposed new regiments have
been perfected at the war department
and speedy arrangements made for their
speedy recruitment and equipment. Ac-
ton in this matter awaits only the ap-
prevail of congress. 1t is hoped by the
secretary of war and the military auth
critics that the bill for the reorganiza-
ton of the army now before the senate
will become a I1sw before congress takes
a recess for the holidays on the 21st inst.
The opinion is expressed at the war de-
partment that there is no prospect Of a
general re-enlistment on the part Of the
volunteers In the Philippines. The rec
ords of the department all tend to show
that only a 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 a general Discrimination
on the part of the volunteers to prOlong
their foreign service. 1t is recalled that
a similar state Of affairs existed among
the state volunteers recruited during the
Spanish war. There were about 5000 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 7,45O re-enlsted for
service in the Philippines in the present
volunteer army notwithstanding the lib
eral inducements offered by the govern
ment to that end, including travel pay
allowance to the amount of 500 to each
man who re-enlisted.
The plans of the war department for
bringing home the volunteer troops are
shown in the following cable message:
WAR Department Adjutant Generals
Office, December II. 1900.
Macarthur, Manila
Send volunteers convalescent to the
capacity Of next transport returning and
volunteer regiment by transport follow
ing. As you report $1,000 now. the score
tary Of war directs that you start home
the volunteer regiments until the force is
reduced to $4,000, the number fixed be-
fore beginning reinforcement by regu-
lars. VIII send you regular regiments to
further relieve the volunteers.
(Signe0 "CORBIN"
Manila, Dec. Is, 1900.
"Adjutant General, Washington
with reference to your telegram Of
18th, the Thirty infantry regi-
ment, United States volunteers, sails on
transport Sherman, January and the
Eleventh regiment United States cavalry
on January IS. The movement will con-
tinue as directed until completed. The
Thirty-sixth regiment, United States vol
unteer infantry, is in the field and can
not leave at present, Authority Is re-
Quested to retain regular officers in the
volunteer service whose regular organi-
cations are here Also volunteer officers
now assigned to special duty who so de-
sire with a view to muster out June 60
An important question of policy is invoiv-
ed as the departure Of volunteers almost
renders it impossible to furnish officers
for special duty, the necessities for which
are increasing. Transport Sherman
leaves December Is with about 500 voIun-
teer convaIescents, and the transport
Warren December o with the same num-
Der. ANY remaining viii go on trans
port Sheridan January /
(Signed) "MACARTHUR"