The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1900-12-31
Troops Stationed in Philip
pines Can't Come Home
at Present
MANY DlSAPPOINTM
Soldiers IN the Archipelago Can't
Come Home Until Fighters Are
Provided To Go on Firing
Line in Their
Stead.

Washington. December 2L-As a result
OF a conference between the secretary
of war and Quartermaster General Lud-
ington Il has been decided that no furth-
er action can be taken with regard TO
tho return OF tho volunteers from the
Philippines until congress shall make pro
vision for their replacement The war
department IS considerably embarrassed
10y the failure OF congress TO make pro-
vision before the recess for the relief
Of the military situation in tho Philip
pines Acting upon representations made
by General Macarthur, tho department
has concluded that Il rs absolutely neces-
sarv 90 maintain an army of G0,0oO me'
m the Philippines until the current policy
of establishing municipal governments
throughout the archipelago has been cX-
ccutcd IL is stated az the department
that any reduction of the military
strength below that figure under existing
conditions would undoubtedly prove most
disastrous 10 the interests of tho United
States.
There are now about 69.o0O troops. reg
ulats and volunteers. i'm the Philippines,
and arrangements have been made al
ready for bringing home 5000 OF that
number. No further reduction viii be
made until the war department is advis-
ed fully of the purpose OF congress with
regard 20 army legislation. When the
necessary authority has been given It IS
tho purpose of the department TO bring
home as rapidly as possible all the vol
untccr5 and regulars whose terms OF en-
listmcut expire on the S0th of june next,
hut not before it is possible To replace
them man Tor man with new recruits
enlisted under the terms of the new
army bin IL therefore appears that after
the 5000 volunteers have left the Phil
ipplucs no more troops viii hc Withdrawn
from that country until they can be re-
iisVed by fresh troops recruited IN the
United States i'm accordance with legisla-
tiuu yct 20 bee enacted.
It Is expected thar congress VIII act
promptly GA tho army bin soon after II
reassemblos i'm January, but even IN thaJ
event. il IS said al the war department
IL VIII moi Doe possible 10 get the fresh
troops Is the Philippines inside Of two
months time. The general home coming
movement of the mass OF volunteers,
therefore. viii have to De postponed I'M
til about the first of February. That viii
etve the uuartcrmastcr's department
but Gvc months time 20 bring home tho
remainder Of the volunteers and the reg
uIar troops whose terms viii expire at
the same time. aEgrogating about 10000
men, before the first Of July. This under
standing is believed To be beyond the ca
pacity OF the transport service as at pres
cnt ORGANIZED and may ncccssitate the
charter of additional steamships. All ar
raueemcuts in that line. however. viii
Ne held tn allegiance until definite infor-
nation has been received Of the intention
OF congress with regard to the proposed
increase Of the regular army.
Recent cable adXiccs from General Mac
Arthur indicate a strong desire on the
fart Of tho volunteers generally 10 return
10 the United states and that compare
lively few of them are likely 70 re-
enlist without the most liberal induce
rnents arc offered II is understood that
General Macarthur has recommended
that q bounty of $50 De allowed TO each
soldier ia The Philippines who re-eniists
for another term. and the plan Is said to
meet with tho favor OF the officials OF
the war department.