The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-03-19
RUSHING TROOPS TO MARTHUR
Several of the Home Battnlions Or
dered to Manila.

Orders were issued yesterday by the
Secretary of War for the early departure
of over 400 regular soldiers to Manila.
The decision to send more regulars to
the Philippines at this time was brought
about by the receipt of a cablegram from
General Macarthur in regard 10 the re-
turn of volunteer troops to the United
States The War Department has been
using every effort to arrange plan by
which all the volunteer organizations can
he returned to this country before the
end of June. without at any time redUc-
ing General MacArthurs fighting force
below 6O,O00 men.
Secretary Root recognized some months
ago, when urging the passage of the
Army Reorga uization BILL that ii would
take considerable time to enlist and equip
recruits, and expressed the opinion that
any delay in providing for the enlistment
of additional men might result In a delay
in the return of the volunteers. The de-
lay that did ensue made it necessary for
the War Department to arrange a sehed-
ule for its transports between San
Francisco and Manila, that left no mar
gin for holding any vessel In port for any
length of time. 1t became necessary TO
have outgoing transports filed with sol
diers TO take the place of volunteers. II
there were not sufficient soldiers On hand
to use up the transport capacity, the ves-
sci would be compelled to leave without
waiting for them.
1t has been apparent for several days
past that while the recruiting for the
new army has been very satisfactory, it
has not been sufficient TO provide troops
for the transports scheduled 20 san from
San Francisco TO Manila. Another ques-
ton was whether General Mac Arthur
would be able to have the yoluntee rcgi-
ments ready TO go aboard the transports
| at Manila without causing delay al that
end He was communicated with Nv cable
on this subject and replied YESTERDAY that
he would send volunteers on arriving
transports as rapidly as they cout1 be re-
placed with additional troops.
Provision had already been made for
the early departure of the transports
Hancock, 3uford fitzpatrick. and Logan,
and conference was held yesterday by
Secretary Root with Acting Adjutant Gen
eraI Ward and Acting Quartermaster
! General Bird. at which it was decided to
Manila. Telegraphic orders were sent
| to department commanders to equip and
send to San Francisco troops designated
| by the Secretary of War
The orders provide for the sailing on
| March % of the transport Hancock with
| the Second or home squadron of the Sixth
! Cavalry, consisting of 400 men, and the
| depot battalion of the Seventh infantry,
| consisting of 500 men. The Hancock will
| carry in addition several hundred re-
| cruits The Buford will sail April ! with
| the depot battalion of the Fifth Infantry
| consisting of 900 men, and one company
| of the Tenth Infantry and two troops OF
| the Fifteenth Cavalry, consisting of 80
! men. The Fitzpatrick will sail April >
/ with the Third Battalion of the Eleventh
| Infantry. consisting Of 500 men, and two
| companies of the First Infantry, con-
| sistinC of 800 men. She Will carry in adj
/ dition about 100 recruits The Logan will
| sail April IS, with the Third Squadron OF
| the Ninth Cavalry. Second Squadron OF
/ the Tenth Cavalry, two companies of the
| First Infantry and a battalion of the
! Eleventh Infantry, amounting to about
! 1,7OG men. Nearly all of the organizations
! receiving orders are considerably below
| the maximum strength authorized by law
/ but directions have been issued to their
| commanding officers providing for the
/ transfer of recruits. so as TO fill each
! company. or cavalry troop, TO its maxi
| mum strength
| The transports taking these troops to
| Manila will on their arrival there re-
| ceive volunteer organizations for return
| TO the United States.