The Authorization of the Philippine Scouts

By Sean Conejos

With the Congressional authority for the Volunteer U.S. Army on duty in the Philippines expiring in July 1, 1901, the Americans wanted a force to bolster the reduced U.S. Army strength and needed people who knew the lands, language, and customs. Prior to the authorization of the PS, all Filipinos bearing arms for the U.S. Government (Macabebe Scouts, Leyte Scouts, Cagayan Scouts, etc.) were technically civilian employees of the Quartermaster Department until July 1901.

Senate Bill 4300 "An Act to Increase the Permanent Military Establishment" contained sweeping changes to the U.S. Army and was approved on February 2, 1901.

This included Section 36, Native Troops⏤Troops in the Philippine Islands, which in summary:

• Authorizes the President to organize the Philippine Scouts

• Allows for up to 12,000 Filipino enlistedmen

• Majors of the PS may be selected from the Regular Army Captains.

• Captains of the PS may be selected from the Regular Army First Lieutenants.

• First and Second Lieutenants may be selected from Regular Army non-commissioned officers and from Filipinos who "show fitness for command"

• Officer's are given this provisional rank for four years each. Is renewable.

• Officer's pay was to be equal to that of the Regular Army

From July through October 1901, the U.S. Army consolidated and created new PS companies, and thus began the five decades long history of the Philippine Scouts.

Here is the full text of Section 36. Click on the images to zoom in.