The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1898-12-09

recruits Tor the regulars was called into exist
snce from civil life. an L. In 'tulilg tn regular
army, the total force was 2I,Tl1 men II was
organized armed aud equipped mo supplies
Icing on hand other than those for the regu-
lurs, save Springfield muSlSetsJ. and 80 OD0 men
II this force were transported by Ian aud sea
TO battlefelds in the tropo, ~ 100 miles apart.
where they won their victories without single
iefeat and ali within the period OF ll3 days
rom tn declaration OF war to the signing OF
he protocol
The deaths in the army from May 10 &C.
ober |. including killed. dir OF wounds ami
disease. were 900. the smallest death rae re-
corded In any army In history. remarkable
act when 1t is considered that over hO,0O OF
)ur troops. born and reared In ths tenn crate
zone. were campaigning In tropical climates
'ubject to rain and heat almost unprecedented
The secretary says of the volunteers
that to furlough them in winter would
be 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 admit
ting of their prompt discharge in their
present camps in the south.
Under the head of increase in the
permanent establishment, the secre-
tary says:
In view OF the needs Of military force In
the islands occupied by the United States. It is
earnestly recommended that the regular army
he permanently Increased to 10000 men and
he requisite oflicers that II portion OF this
nrm5 he recruited from the iuha OitantS OF those
islands. To be mustered into the service OF the
United States commanded by Officers OF
army, discretion, however, to b3 given to the
president to make appointments Of officers
from the force so recruited
Another suggestion is that there
ola hn 4 In hA nj cd
States service a constabu'ary force for
the cities of Cuba, Porto Rico and the
Philippines, who have had experience
and can speak the language of the is
lands.
Secretary Alger thinks that the gov
eminent will be greatly taxed TO sup
ply food to the destitute, especially in
Cuba. The effort should be made, he
thinks, to give the people work in
stead of allowing them To dwell in
idleness, living upon charity. He says:
Would IL not be wise economy Tor tine govern
ment OF the United States to construct a suO-
stantial railroad, practically the whole length
OF the island of CUBA, with branch roads TO the
leading cities on the coast? Such road
would Of course cost large sum. perhaps
| 2JOOO0OO, but II would give employment to the
| people OF Cuba. teach thom habits OF industry.
| be IN inducement for them to cultivate their
farms and thus furnish supplies for the
| laborors and for market when the road Is con-
| Structed Tho road would be "A good property
| and when II has served It's purpose for the
| government could DO sold for Its cost, II such
nm Improvement Is not made the government
| will. no doubt, eXpend fully that much in
charity.
The statement of expenditures and
estimates presents some formidable
figures. The expenditures for the
fiscal year ended June 80 last were
R62, 534, 7s4, and the estimates for the
next fiscal year beginning July /, 1899,
are Sl95, $50, 377, OF this great estimate
the sum of $50, 43O, 900 is charged to pay
of the army The estimate of extra
ordinary appropriations required for
the six months ending June 80, 1900,
are $50, III, $50, and the estimates for
that period, combined with those for
the next fiscal year, reach total OF
S255 427,9l7.