The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-12-03

the last 4s-caiiher Springfield rife was
manufactured IN 1893 Srnokeless powder
cartridges are now being manufactured
and vii be forwarded. | suggest that you
get along with what the government has on
hand The question of currency and duties
VIII be taken ur today. Your action re-
curing al duties TO oe paid IN lnitea
States currency is approved and viii be
adhered to- 'tR A. AIGER,
Secretary Of War
Miles Objects to Navy Interfering.
August Gen Miles telegraphed that he
haG been informed. that naval vessels al
Ponce had been ordered around ID san
Juan. In order that there might be no con-
fiict OF authority ne requested that no ag-
sresslye action &c taken against that place,
that no landings be made or cornrnanlea-
ton be held with the Spanish commanders
on the island of Porto Rico by the navy.
That portion devoted 20 the Geographic
correspondence OF the war closes with few
dispa tches indicating the finish OF the San
tiago campaign.
Reports of Depa rtmeat officers.
Next follow a number of reports % yari-
Gus officers and officials TO the secretary
of war. some OF when are Endorsed by The
secretary. OF the military academy, for
instance. ne indorses the recommendation
fer an increase OF the number OF cadets by
twenty annually TO De appointed oy the
president and one by each senator TO sup
future.
Of the adjutant generals recommenda-
tionS the secretary says they are judictous
and merit the favorable consideration Of
congress. Instead of an increase OF pay
for officers serving In the West Indies and
Philippines to the next higher grade, as
recommended by the adjutant general. the
secretary thinks that the pay OF those off,
GERS. well as those in Alaska. should De
increased 80 per cent. while they are 50
serving, because OF the additional expense
they are pu; TO. He says the question OF
payment for damages TO farms and other
property by movement of troops Will he
made the subject of special eommun-ca-
ton to congress He recommends that $50
instead of SO should be allowed for the
Apprehension OF a deserter.
In the subsistence department the secre-
tary finds an urgent need for resimen;ai
commfssary and also for a commissary ser
geant for each regiment.
Discussing the surgeon generals report, he
says is was a mistake to detail regimentai
surgeons to large hospitals. but this could
not have been avoided and division and gem
eral hospitals, which were indispensable.
maintained. Ample provision should be
made 10 supply the places of surgeons who
fall sick.
Tribute to Women Nurses.
One of the great mercies of the campaign
were the women nurses. The report says
that until one has had experience or has
made careful observation he cannot realize
the work that these noble women did for
our sick soldiers in the hospitals; but they
cannot be wei employed at regimental hos
pitfalls in campaign. Both the division
and general hospitals are absolutely neces-
sary. in the opinion OF the secretary, but
the general hospital should be provided
with separate wards for each regiment, so
that comrades could be kept together.
The secretary says the Red Cross and
other relief associations contributed in
very large degree TO the care and comforts
OF our sick soldiers, and should receive the
grateful thanks of the nation. The secre-
tary calls attention to Surgeon General
Sternberg's circular OF instructions to the
army. issued April g. and says had ii been
strictly followed less sickness would have
resulted.
More Engineers Needed.
He feels that a force of practical engi-
neers, skilled in electricity. should be pro-
vided and that large number of engineers
should be educated at West Point. so that
an officer can be placed permanently with
each river. and harbor project. These pro-
ton OF a board of skilled engineers before
the appropriations are made for them.
More Gums should be Manufactured.
The manufacture Of the Krag-Jorgenson
or similar magazine gun should continue
until we have at an early date AT least
oO0 OF these arms in our arsenals, with
a full supply of ammunition.
What the Transports Cost.
In connection with his discussion of af-
fairs in the quartermaster's department,
the secretary prints an elaborate table
showing in detail each ship purchased or
chartered for transport or supply work
the name Of the individual or company
owning the same. the period OF time COW
cred by the charter the rate of charge per
day and the tonnage. From this 1t ap-
pears that by far the most expensive yes
sci In proportion TO capacity was the Shin
necock. owned by the Montauk Steamboat
Company which was hired at the rate OF
$1,000 per day. The big ocean liners of the
Pacific Mail Steamship Company. New
port, Peru and Rio de Janeiro were char
tered at the same rate. but they were OF
three times the CAPACITY. The most
pensive OF the vessels purchased were what
are known as the Baker boats, Of the Min
newaska class. which were purchased at