The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-12-25
CONGRESS WAS TOO SLOW
War Department Embarrassed by It's
Failure to Act Quickly.
IN ALL 5000 MEN MAY RETURN AT ONCE
The Others Mus! Wait Until Their Places Are
Supplied by Regulars. Almost All the
Volunteers Are Anxious 10
Return Home.
(By thee Associated Fress.)

Washington Dec 24.-AS a result of q
and Quartermaster General Ludington, it
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 provision for
their replacement The War Department
is considerably embarrassed by the fail
ure of Congress to make provision be-
fore the recess for the relief of the mill
taiy situation in the Philippines. Acting
upon representations made by General
Macarthur. the Department has concluded
that it is absolutely necessary to main
tain an army of $4,000 men in the Phil
ippines until the current policy of es-
tahlishirg municipal governments
throughout the archipelago has been exc
cuted. 1t is stated at the Department
that any reduction of the military
strength below that figure under existing
conditions could undoubtedly prove most
disastrous to the interests of the United
States.
There are now about SO 900 troops, reg
ulars and volunteers, in the Philippines
and arrangements have been made al
number. No further reduction will be
made until the War Department is ad-
vised 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 as rapidly as possible all the volun-
teers and regulars whose terms of en-
lstment expire on the 30th of June next,
but not before it is possible to replace
them man for man with new recruits en-
listed under the terms of the new army
bill. 1t therefore appears that after the
9.000 volunteers have left the Philippines
no more troops will be withdrawn from
that country until they can be relieved
by fresh troops recruited in the United
States in accordance with legislation vet
to be enacted.
1t is expected that Congress will act
promptly on the army bill soon after it
reassembles in January, but even in that
event, ii is said 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 quartermaster's department but
five months time to bring home the re-
mainder of the volunteers and the regu-
lar troops whose terms will expire at the
same time. aggregating about 10000 men
before the first of July. This understand
ing is believed to be beyond the capacity
of the transport service as at present
organized, and may necessitate the char
ter of additional steamships. All arrange
ments in that line however, will be held
in allegiance until definite information has
been received of the intention of Congress
with regard to the proposed increase ot
the regular army.
Recent cable advices from General Mac
Arthur indicate strong desire on the
Part Of the volunteers generally to re-
turn to the United States and that COM
paratively few of them are likely to re-
enlist without the most liberal induce
ncnts are offered 1t is understood that
General Macarthur has recommended that
bounty of $3.50 be allowed to each so.
dier in the Philippines who rs-enIists isr
another term and the plan is said to
meet with favor of the officials oil the
War Department.