New-York tribune., 1907-01-06
NEGRO TROOPS TO SAIL.
Ordered to Philippines on Regular
Tour of Duty.
IFrom The Tribune Bureau.l


Washington, Jan. 5.-In assigning troops to
the Philippines to relieve those which have COM
pleted their tour OF duty in the islandns, three
Negro regiments are included, the 9th and 10Th
Cavalry and the 25th Infantry. The assign
ment of these troops to the Philippines. coming
as it does during the agitation Of the Browns
Vile incident, has caused some comment. al
though Secretary Taft explained to-day that
the assignment had no relation to the Browns
vile affair. The Secretary said 1T consid-
cred only fair that the Negro troops should take
their share of foreign service. and he does not
believe that, IN view of the advantages they
will obtain by the foreign service, they will
be disposed to object While they serve In the
islands they will receive 20 per cent additional
pay, and each year Of service there will count
as the equivalent of two years here in their
credit toward retirement. The Negro regiments
will sail at different times between March 3 and
June of this year
The cath Infantry, the only other Negro regi-
ment, is already in the Philippines but will re-
turn to the United States soon as the usual
term of foreign service is completed. The other
regiments ordered to the Philippines include the
9Th Cavalry. and the 1Sth Goth, goth and 30th
Infantry. and an equal number of soldiers will
be relieved and return TO home stations. This
means. of course. that there will be no reduction
in the military establishment in the Philippines
for the present. The troops which Will be re-
loved are the 4th. 7th and sth Cavalry. and the
9Th, 18th. 18th, 10th and 10th Infantry. The re-
turn of the eth Infantry in August will result in
that regiment going TO Fort Sam Houston, and
makes necessary the issue of order that
Company B. now at Plattsburg Barracks. New
York, shall proceed to Fort Sam Houston where
tho rest Of the regiment and its headquarters
will be located. The company at Plattsburg
Barracks will reach the Texas station in the
latter part of May. The Negro troops are to
sail for the Philippines before most of the white
organizations the last OF which will not leave
this country until early in January. 1908.
The following statement issued at the
War Department In explanation of the orders:
There was a time between 1902 and 1905
when the colored regiments were not sent to
the Philippines at all In 1905. however. this
policy was tentatively changed. and the oath
Infantry. a colored regiment. sent to the
Philippines, and Is now there The service Of
the 24th Infantry in the Philippines has been
entirely satisfactory. and II is thought that tho
service OF the other regiments will be- In
porting upon this subject General Wood states:
II recently visited ana made inspection of
the departments of the Visayas and Mindanao,
and found the Path Infantry very well liked
by the civil authorities in the neighborhood OF
its various stations. In fact. at Tacloban, the
Governor expressed particular appreciation of
the fine conduct OF this regiment" Because OF
this report and experience the General Staff rec
commended and the department decided It to be
wise, TO return TO the former policy OF equal
foreign service OF all the regiments OF the mo-
bile army.
The present assignment OF the other colored
regiments to the Philippines is merely for an
equal distribution OF foreign services Tbev
have not been there for four years. 1t now be-
comes fair to them and TO other regiments that
they be assigned 10 the Philippines in due
order Foreign service, II should be stated in
creases tho pay OF the men % per cent and
counts double time for retirement. 1t was point
ed out at the department. therefore that the
idea that these orders were prejudicial to the
colored troops or were made on account OF the
BroWnsville affair was utterly absurd.