New-York tribune., 1901-04-30
REORGANIZING THE ARMY
COMPETENT OFFICERS HARD To Sc
CURE-WORK To BE COMPLETED
BY AUGUST l.
BY AUGUST
tBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE.

Washington April 2s-At the War Department
to-day 1t was said that efforts being made 70
have the reorganzed standing army fully differed
and equipped and enlisted the strength of 1900
by August l More apprehension is felt get
ting the full quota OF competent line officers by the
cate mentioned than the recruiting of the hf-
teen new regiments Except for this Il is probable
that secretary Root and Adjutant- General Corbin
would have accompanied the President to-day on
his Western trip II is true that nearly all of the
elght hundred or more line officers of the grades OF
first and second Heutenants created by the new law
nave been designated by the President. but every
one Of these appontees must undergo rigid mental
and physical examination before commissions in
the regular army are issued 10 them On the law of
averages it is estimated by experienced army Off
GERS that fully onethird and perhaps half Of those
originally designated by the President for appoint
ment will fail either mental or physical exarni-
nation. In order 10 meet this exgency lists Of
alternates by States being prepared by the
retary OF War and the Adtutant-General, to whom
the President has turned this task over The alter
mates being selected from the long list OF app-
cations now on file in the War Department. with
reference. Of course the wishes OF Senators and
other influential men in the several States.
In order to expedite the work OF disposng of the
hundreds OF applicants already selected by the
President, Secretary Root and General Corbin Will
appoint dozen or more boards Of examiners to sit
in various parts Of the country where the copven-
ience Of the appontees will be best served. When
ever appointee fails to pass the examinat ton the
name of the first alternate from his State will be
certified to the board for examination. and this
process will be continued until the full quota Of
suoaterns created by the law is complete. II
is not thought that the examinations will IN full
swing for six weeks two months yet and on this
expectation is based the reckoning that not before
August will all the officers be selected This
will interfere with the organization Of the new
regiments with the sending OF fresh troops to the
Philippines take the place OF the returning vol
unteers This work will keep pace with recruiting
as by detailing line officers from the old the new
regiments for temporary duty the proper quota OF
Announcement also made the War Deparr-
nent to-day Of the final decision reached a few
days ago 10 retain in the service the battaionS
OF native Porto RiCars that oficered by Ameri-
cans. Authority 10 do this is granted BY the army
law, although II not thought until recently
that advantage would be taken Of this provision 1t
is understood that, with few exceptions the officers
now commanding the Porto Rican battalions will
be recommissioned. The forma ton Of native Phil
tppine regiments provided for by the law and
10 be offcered by Americans with commissions run
ming four years is also being considered by the War
Department, but II is likely that this matter will
held in abeyance for year more. or until the
authority. This decision will cause disappointment
70 of the officers of the volunteer regiments
who remained behind in the Philippines when their
regiments were brought home in the hope that they
would Immediately obtain commissiC MS in the pro-
vistonal organiZa tionS Still, If the force OF forty
thousand regulars which IL is intended be kept in
the Philippines proves inadequate cope with the
organized an earlier date than now seems prob