Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1900-12-25
The WAR DEPARTMENT
IS CONVINCED THAT.A PERMANENT
ARMY OF SIXTY THOUSAND
MEN IS
NECESSARY IN PHILIPPINES
AND NO MORE VOLUNTEERS WILL
BE BROUGHT HOME
Beyond the Nine Thousand Already
Under Orders, Until Congress Has
Taken Definite Action with Re-
gard Il the New Army BiII-BiS
Bountiea for Men WHO VIII Re
EnIist-FightinG Continues.

WASHINGTON, December 24.-As
a result of a conference between
the Secretary Of War and Quartermas-
ter General Ludington it has been de-
cided 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 mil
itary situation in rhe Philippines. Act
ing upon representations made by Cen
eral Macarthur. the department has
concluded that it is absolutely nece~-
s2ry to maintain an army Of s. ,000 men
IN thePhIIIppines until the current pol
icy Of establishing municipal govern
ments throughout the archipelago has
been executed. II Is stated al the de-
partment that any reduction Of the
military strength below that figure. IN
der existing conditions, would IN
doubtedly prove most disastrous to the
interests &C the United States. There
are now about $1,000 troops. regulars
ard volunteers, in the Philippines. and
gements have been made for
bringing home 5000 OF that number.
NO further REDUCTION will be made I'M
Ii the Var Department is advised fully
OF the purpose Ct Congress with regard
to army legislation. When the neces-
sary authority has been given i K the
purpose of the department to brine
home as rapidly as possible all tho VOL
unteers and regulars whose terms o.
enlistment expire on the goth CT June
next, but not before it is possible to
replace them, man for man, with new
recruits, enlisted under the terms Of
tae new army bill. 1t therefore appears
nave left the Philippines no more
troops will be withdrawn from that
country until they can he relieved nv
freSA troops recruited in the United
states, IN accordance with legislafion
yet to be enacted.
1t IS expected that Congress will art
promptly OF the army bill soon affor
II reassembles in January but even in
that event, it is said at the War De-
partment. It viii not be possible to
set the fresh troops TO the P~hilipoines
INSIDE OF two months time. The
general homecoming movement OF the
mass or the volunteers therefore will
nave to be postponed until about the
hrst OF February. That will give the
Quartermasters Department but five
months time TO bring home the re-
malnder OF the volunteers and the reg
ular troops whose terms will expire AT
tne same time, a~ggregating about 40
0D9 men. before the first Of July. This
understanding is believed to be beyond
the capacity Of the transport service
as at present organized and may neces-
state the charter Of additional steam
ships. All arrangements in that line.
however. will be held in allegiance un-
I'll definite information has been re-
ceiTed Of the intention Of Congress
with regard to the proposed increase
OF the regular army.
Recent cable advices from Cen. Mac
Arthur Indicate a strong desire on the
part Of the volunteers generally to re-
turn to the United States and that
comparatively few Of them are likely
to re-enlist without the most liberal
Inducements are offered. It is under
stood that Gen. Macarthur has recon-
mended that a bounty of $3.50 be al
lowed 20 each soldier in the Philippines
who will re-enlist for another term and
the plan is said to meet with the favor
OF the officials OF the War Depart
ment.