The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-12-03
THE OFFICIAL HISTORY
OF THE SPANISH WAR
Secretary of War Alger Makes 1t the Burden of His
Animal Report-The Story Is Told in Dispatches In
crease of the Standing Army to 100000 Men.

Washington. Dec. 1.-The annual re-
port Of Secretary Alger is a practically
complete oficial history of the Spanish
American war. The secretary has given
90 the public not only all the official
dispatches hat passed directly between
his own Office and commanding officers
In the field and camps. but has supple
mented these with short explanatory
notes, setting forth the reasons for var
fbus movements n then. to complete
the record of events. he has included in
the body of his report the report or
General Miles. of all the generals who
participated in the campaign in Cuba,
Porto Rico or the Philippines and fin
ally the reports of all of the bureau Of
fcers of the var department. Nowhere
s. there shown a disposition to criticise.
the full dispatches being Allowed TO tell
their own story and generally the sec
retary finds much to praise and cause
for sincere congratulation in the results
obtained.
The report proper begins with what
may be described as a chronological
history of the war. consisting of a num-
Der of short paragraphs beginning with
the declaration of war on April Fl and
setting forth the date upon which n
event of Importance occurred, but max
ing no whatever upon the
facts. The only exception to this rule
IS in a reference to the casualties OF
Santiago. Some criticism having been
made that there was a lack of sur
geons present. the report states that
there were lao surgeons In attendance
and that of 1881 wounded only H3 died
of their wounds.
The secretary. coming down In his
history to the middle OF August, when
an order was issued. which is now in
execution. 20 muster out 100. 900 volun-
teers. says: Thus an army of about
$50. 900 volunteers and recruits for the
regulars was called into existence from
civil life inc including the regular
army the total force was 2Ii.Il men. II
was organized. armed and equipped mo
supplies being on hand other than those
for the regulars. save Springfield mus
kets) and SO, 600 men of this force was
transported by land and sea TO battle
fields in the tropics. 10000 miles apart,
where they won their victories without
a single defeat and all within the per-
iod of 113 days from the declaration OF
war 20 the signing OF the protocol.
Belongs 10 the Nation.
This great achievement can be cred
tied 10 no Individual. IL belongs to the
nation. 1t was accomplished through
the intelligence and patriotism OF all
who served, from the commandments
chief to the private In the ranks. Ii also
speaks volumes for the prompt, pa
.riotic and intelligent assistance Of the
people who furnished. I'm so short a per-
Tod, the supplies necessary to prepare
This great army for the field. To the
heroic men who served in distant lands,
the country will ever ofer n true need
OF praise. but the mighty army I'm camp.
ready and eager to take the field.
should also be given equal credit. 1t
was their presence. ready at an hours
notice for any emergency. that over
awed the enemy and proved to him that
further resistance would be in vain.
The deaths i'm the army from May l
20 Oct. 1. including killed, died Of
. wounds and of disease. were 200, the
smallest death rate recorded of any
army in history, a remarkable fact
when IL Is considered that over $4,000
of our troops. born and reared i'm the
temperate zone. were campaigning IN
tropical climates. subject TO rain and
heat almost unprecedented
The secretary says of the volunteers
that 20 furlough them In winter would
be a hardship. so he recommends that
in lieu OF the furlough the officers and
men be given two months pay at the
time of their discharge. thus admitting
of their prompt discharge in their pres
ent camps in the South.
Increase Of the Army.
Under the head of increase in the
permanent establishment, the secretary
says:
'In view of the needs OF a military
force in the islands occupied by the
United States. II Is earnestly recon-
mended tina the regular army be per-
manently increased to 100. goo men and
the requisite officers: and the appor-
tionment Of this army be recruited
from the inhabitants Of those islands
90 be mustered into the service of the
United States, commanded by officers
Of our army. discretion. however. 20
be given to the president To make APP
pointmept OF officers from the force 80
recruited"
should be employed In the United
states service a constabulary force for
the cities OF Cuba. Porto Rico and the
Philippines. who have had experience
and can speak the language OF the
islands.
government will be greatly taxed -
supply foo TO the destitute, espeC'nl'v
in Cuba. The effort should be made,
ne thinks. To give the people work IN,
stead of allowing them To dwell I'm IDLE
ness. living upon charity. Tie saNs
Would IL not be wise economy for fht
government of the United States "a
construct a substantial railroad. prac-
ticaliy the whole length Of the island Of
Cuba with branch roads 90 the leading
cities on the coast? Such a road would
az course. cost a large sum. perhaps
so. 600. 900. but IL would give employ
ment 20 the people Of Cuba. teach then
habits of industry. he an Involvement
for them 10 cultivate their farms and
thus furnish supplies for the lnborers
and for market when the road IL con
structed.
This. in my judgment. Is absolutely
essential 10 the p~acihcation and deN !.
opment Of that great island. Tho road
would be a rood property. and when II
has served its purpose for the govern
ment, could be sold for It's cost. II sucN
an Improvement Is not made, the gov
rnmen will no doubt expend fufS
that sum in charity"
The secretary says that even " tli'
road Is 20 be built. there Is a necess )
for a large appropriation 20 relieve th'
destitute.
Some recommendations that occur n
che early nortiOo az tho repOrt are tn