New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-03-08
REDUCING OTIS'S FORCE.
NECESSITY FOR so LARGE AN ARMY
IN THE PHILIPPINES BELIEVED
TO HAVE PASSED
Try TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE.


Washington, March THE first orders for the
withdrawal of Regulars from the Philippines
have been sent to General Otis. and the home
coming of such troops ne spare will begin
In few days Under his new instructions Cen
eral Otis will promptly send back to San Fran
cisco battalion each OF the 14th. 18th and
23d regiments OF infantry. The decision to begin
the withdrawal of troops reached before
Secretary Root started for Havana last week
the latest reports from General Otis indicating
that the occasion for maintaining so large
force in the islands had permanently passed
and that most of the Tagals had returned to
their homes so disgusted with the rebellion that
they likely be induced again by
promises threats to take up arms against the
Americans
Adjutant- General Corbin said this afternoon
that the three battalions first TO return would
be composed of the non-commissioned officers
and enlisted men Of the three regiments named
whose terms would expire in the next six
months as well as those who had been wounded
and the invalids of the regiments. It is considered
preferable to bring home the short time men
rather than discharge them at Manila and
allow them TO waste their travel money there or
in China and reach home penniless The plan of
bringing back the men in military organization
will do away also with the dsorderly proceed
ings that have marked the return of many dis
charged who not amenable to dis
cipline.
The officers to return in charge of the battal-
ions will be those who have seen the hardest
service or can best be spared. The policy of
bringing home battalions instead Of regiments
is in accord with the plan of home battalions"
adopted by the Army last summer, which con-
templates the retention in this country of at
least one battalion of every infantry and cavalry
regiment sent beyond the limits of the United
States. the home battalion Of each regiment be-
ing retained a recruiting and instructing
nucleus for the entire command the intention
being that the three battalions Of each regiment
should alternate in the tour Of domestic duty.
giving each chance to recuperate after service
in the tropics. It has been possible to carry out
this system in the cases of the 1st ID 9th, Sth
and 10th Infantry and the Sth and 10th Cavalry,
each of which has two battalions In Cuba, one
having been withdrawn, as we'll in the cases
Of the oath and 25th Infantry and the Sd Cav
airy from each of which two battalions were
sent to the Philippines and the other battalion
retained at home.
The 4th Cavalry and the 3D. 4th, 9Th, 9th, 18th.
18th 10th 17th 10Th. Goth 21st and 22d regi-
ments Of infantry complete, still remaining in the
Eighth Corps will each send home battalion in
the near future and after them the twenty-five
volunteer regiments will be similarly reduced at
the front.
THE NAVY'S AID TO GENERAL BATES.
Washington, March THE Navy Department
has received the following cable dispatch from
Admiral Watson, telling Of the part taken by
the Navy in the joint expedition to the southern
provinces of Luzon which terminated in the
capture Of Nuevas Casceres.
Ioilo, March Z 1900.
Marietta, Gheen commanding, conveyed and
landed Bates expedition in San Miguel Bay
February 20 Paraguay, Althouse commanding
joined expedition Dist entered Bicol River. gave
great assistance: first to reach Nuevas Cas-
ceres objective point Gheen commends all Off
GERS and men. Bates commends warmly work
done by Navy. joining Gheen in naming Alt
house and Ball especially.