Jasper County Democrat, Volume 1, Number 48, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 11 March 1899 — 65,000 FOR REGULAR ARMY. [ARTICLE]

65,000 FOR REGULAR ARMY.

President Will Not Increase Force to the Limit. President McKinley has decided the regular army of 65,000 men will be ample force at present, and that no steps shall be taken to organize a provisional army of 35,000 volunteers. This decision was reached in view of the favorable outlook in Cuba and Porto Rico aud the prospect in the Philippines that the outbreak there will be suppressed at an early day. Enlistments to bring up the strength of the regular army to the number authorized by Congress, 65,000 men, will be made at once. The roster of the major generals of the provisional army has also been decided on, according to the best infoVmation obtainable. It is as follows: Nelson A. Miles, major general commanding; Wesley F. Merritt, department of the east; John R. Brooke, department of Cuba; Elwell S. Otis, department of the Philippines; William R. Shatter, department of California. This is a disappointment to Gen. Joe Wheeler, who had hoped to go to the Philippines to take part in ;he fighting there.