Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-11-17
AN AR MY OF 1000
REORGANIZATION PLANS AT THE
WAR DEPARTMENT.
1t Is Said That the Lines of the Hull
Bill Are Likely to BE Fol-
lowed.

One OF the first questions to be submitted
| to Congress at it's coming session relates to
| the reorganization of the regular army on
| a basis Of present prospective requirements.
| According to the adjutant generals records
| the present military force consists of 9o,O23
| officers and men, made up of 2,535 officers
| and 63,S61 enlisted men in the regular es-
tablishment and 1,54s officers and 81 O79 en-
listed men in the volunteer establishment.
| Under the law all of the volunteers and all
but about 10000 of the regulars must be
| discharged on or before July 1 next. Con-
sequently, unless other provisions are made
| in the meantime. the army on that date
will consist OF 2,535 officers and 25,OO0 en-
| listed men, to which must be added, how
ever. 5000 new artilerymen specially pro-
Vded for at the last session.
Plans now being prepared at the War
Department for a reorganization of the
military establishment basis of present
military needs Although there is some
difference of opinion as to the required mill
| tary strength there is a practical agree
| nlent that the army should not be less than
100000 enlisted men and $500 officers line
and staff. That is the number provided for
by the Hull bill which, although Endorsed by
all the military authorities, failed of pass
age at the last session.
Some Deem 10000 Necessary.
Several military enthusiasts contend that
an army of less than $50, 900 men is made
quate for the present important military
requirements in the Philippines and West
Indies According to these officers the pres-
ent status of affairs in the Philippines alone
calls for at least 100000 men. They argue
that it will be impossible to pacfy the
islands and establish the complete sover-
eighty of the United States with less than
that number of soldiers. Furthermore. it is
contended that not less than 25,OOO and pos
lSft. .1Hy dad In, GHth Do
to Rico, Alaska and a United States garri-
sens Many of the important posts in the
United States are now shorthanded on ac-
count of the military demands in the Phil
ippnes. 1t is stated that these home posts
alone will require nearly 25.OOO men, al
most the entire strength of the army on it's
reduced basis. In this extreme view Of the
case II Is contended that 10000 soldiers
are absolutely ] ceSsary to maintain the
dignity of the United States and to prose-
cute to a successful issue the expansion
policy of the United States, which received
such a strong Endorsement by the votes Of
the people at the last election.
The Departments Plan.
The War Departments plan for the re-
organization Of the army will not be finally
acted upon however until the return Of
Secretary Root from Cuba. All the infor-
nation necessary for the final considera-
ton of the question IS now being prepared
ny olnCtiS Will lIe
views of the Secretary, and it will be ready
for his action Immediately on his return
to this city. In well-informed circles it is
stated that the administration plan will be
practically the same as that embodied in
the Hun bill, with possibly some few
changes in the matter of the staff depart
ments.
Return of Troops Postponed.
Meanwhile there will be no reduction in
the military force in the Philippines, pend
Ing the action of Congress on the question
of maintaining the army at its present
strength on permanent basis The home
ward movement Of the volunteers and short
term regulars which was Originally de-
signed to begin about the middle OF No
vember, has been postponed until the 1st
OF January at the earliest, and it Is pos
sibe that the movement may not begin be-
| fore the 1st of March. 1t has been cal
| culated by the officers of the quartermas-
| ter's department that in case of necessity
| the 45610 men affected can be transported
| from Manila to San Francisco within the
four months ending June 80. The present
plan is to discharge these troops at San
FL ancisco on or before July l, but in case
of necessity they may be detained on duty
in the Philippines up to that date, dis
charged there and then sent home In a
more leisurely manner. Such course Will
be resorted to only in the event that the
situation in the Philippines becomes more
acute than is anticipated and by unlocked
for delay on the part of Congress In max
ing the reorganization of the army on the
| proposed enlarged basis.