Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-09-23
CONDITIONS IN PORTO RICO
Major General Wilson Submits an Interest
ing Report.
The People Are Eager to Become
Citizens of the United
States.

Mai. Gen. Wilson, who recently returned
from Porto Rico, was at the War Depart-
ment today. Gen. Wilson submitted a
very exhaustive report upon the conditions
in Porto Rico, the facts and figures of
which were prepared by Capt. Gardiner of
his staff The report deals with the po-
litical condition of the island and the pos
sibilities of a successful change from Span
ish to American rule. 1t also deals with
the educational, religious and financial con-
citions of the people, with a special refer
ence to taxation and revenue. 1t also dis
cusses the autonomist government which
the Sagasta ministry established The re-
pert will be valuable in the matter of de-
terminins what form of government viii!
be best for Porto Rico.
Surgeon Huidel<Opcr Quits the Serv-
Lieut.. Col. Rush S. Huidekoper. chief
surgeon of volunteers, whose administra-
ton of medical affairs at Chickamauga
Park, Ga, has been SO severely criticised,
was today honorably discharged the serv-
ice of the United States, his services being
no longer required.
Leave for Maj. Mahan.
Major Frederick A. Mahan Corps of En-
gineers, brother of Capt. Mahan Of the
navy, who was for many years engineer
secretary of the light house board, has
been granted six months leave of absence
on account of sickness. AT present Major
Mahan is in charge of river and harbor
works in tho vicinity of Montgomery. Ala.
He will be relieved of that duty by Capt.
Major c.. A. F. F'lagler, Corps of Engineers,
son of Gen. Flagler, chief of ordnance, who
has been on duty with the army of occupa-
ton OF Porto Rico.
Report of Starving Soldiers.
Representative Sherman of New York
sent a telegram to the War Department to-
day saying that he had received reports
that the 1st New York Infantry and other
soldiers stationed at Honolulu were not
sufficiently supplied with food and that the
soldiers were in a starving condition. Telc-
grams were at once sent to Gen. Merriam
at San Francisco, asking him to report at
once upon the food supply for the troops
that any such condition exists Gen. Mer-
riam would have so reported upon his ar
rival.
Orders to Troops.
Orders were issued at the War Depart
ment today for the 18th Regiment of regu-
lar infantry, which rendered such gallant
service in Cuba with the 9Th Army Corps
to take station in the Department of the
Colorado. They will relieve the 18th Regi-
ment of regular infantry, now distributed
in Arizona, Missouri, New Mexico and Col
orado, which regiment hasobeen ordered to
proceed to Huntsville, Ala, with view TO
Its transfer to Cuba for garrison duty.
ORDERS were also issued for the mastering
out OF eight companies of the 1st Delaware
infantry, now stationed at Camp Meade,
Mlddletown, Pa, leaving that state repre-
sented in the volunteer army by a single
battalion of infantry.
Gen. Wilson also called at the White
House today with members of his staff and
mad long talk with the President about
the condition of affairs on the island.
Gen. Wilson submitted a report by Capt
Gardner and an address from the leading
men OF the island praying for speedy an
neXation and American government. Cen
wilson said that the report of Capt. Gard
ner was an exhaustive and able treatment
of economic, finaEcial political, educa tional
and church affairs on the island The
President greatly appreciated the report,
ana ne and Secretary Gage read portions
OF 1t with much interest They will give
more study to the subjects treated
Gen. Wilson himself thinks that the
island will prove valuable acquisition TO
American territory. He says, in his re-
port, that the people are eager to become
citizens of this government. He is salts
fed that they will make good citizens
Gen. wilson Is going to his home in Della
ware He has not sent in his resignation,
although he told the President that when
he was ready to dispense with his services
there would be- no objection on his part.
Gen. Wilson was at one time Spoken of in
connection with one of the European en-
bassies. 1t is not improbable that the
President may yet consider his name in
connection wit h the Iondop ap1haSsv