Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-11-02

Assistant Engineers r. w. ROlier, w.
Goodman, McPate. J. F. Morris, T.
Dimon, and c. H. Treat.
Some of the conditions existing in
Porto Rico which the United States
troops have to contend with are set out
in the following letter from one of the
most distinguished regular officers in
the field there:
Il am glad the record does not show
as yet any complaints from regulars.
I certainly appreciate the enormous
work you and others did in your de-
partment and wonder how you lived
through it. have seen no lack of
food.
'The trouble has been, first, men not
accustomed to eat United States ra-
tions, SO different from home food;
second, the utter ignorance of cooks in
preparing the food or cooking or saw
ing the rations; third, the failure to
cover over with the dirt the excreta IN
all sinks or refuse from Kitchens;
fourth. men not taking care of them
selves when they could-by self control
over appetite or unnecessary exposure,
etc.
Sickness we expected from climatic
causes and were told when we came
into camp what to expect and we have
got 1t. and some know now the result
OF tropical exposure. The climate is
enervating in every way and care has
to be exercised.
Il hope the currency question will be
settled soon, as the soldiers feel that
they are losing the value of their mon
ey not getting 2 to l. These people are
not the gentle, amiable people one Is
led to suppose. A curb bit to be used
when necessary is not valueless. They
are no fools in politics or business in
any way"
The navy department is under no
apprehension as to the safety of the
Maria Teresa, although some fear has
been expressed in the Santiago dis
patches that the vessel along with her
cOnsorts, the Vulcan and Leonidas,
had fallen into the sphere of a West
Indian cyclone.
The Teresa passed Cape Maysi at the
eastern extremity of Cuba, early yes
terday morning, bound for Hampton
Roads, and signalled that all was we'll
and that her machinery was working
smoothly. By this time she should be
well on towards the Bahamas, keeping
we'll to the eastward and away from
the Florida coast
Meanwhile the weather bureau re-
ports to the navy department show
that cyclone is forming to the south
west of Havana, which will probably
come up the southwest coast of Florida
and if the prediction is true the war
shin no fI,o
pathway of the cyclone-at least 1000
miles, according to calculation.
The latest calculation made at the
department is that the Teresa will ar
rive in Hampton Roads, next Sunday
afternoon.
The request of the LIST Colorado In
fantry to be returned from Manila to
the United States cannot be granted by
the war department. 1t was stated by
officers of the army. today, that such
requests had been frequent from SOL
diers of volunteer organizations, who
enlisted to fight, but did not enlist for
for garrison duty. The desire of this
regiment to return home was simply
the desire of other volunteers. Nothing
conlA be done.
T.a reorganization of the army,
with view to securing an adequate
force for the new possessions of the
United States will be the subject of
Recommendations by the President to
Congress, embodying his views of those
vho are in position to give him the
best advice. 1t is probable that he will
recommend an increase of the army to
something like $1,000 to 100000 men.
There has been some talk also, of using
for garrison duty two companies or
battalion of natives to each regiment
doing garrison duty in Cuba, Porto
Rico and the Philippines.
1t is believed that by this method
considerable portion of the restless
population of the island and especially
those who have been bearing arms in
the insurgent or Spanish armies, could
Se kept quiet and law abiding.
1t is stated by officers of the army
that the duties devolvIng upon the
troops under the new order of things
cannot be satisfactory to volunteers
and that an army will have to be pro-
vided which will sgo where it is sent
without complaints Of any kind. Men
who enlist in. the, regular army here
after will understand that they are
likely to be called upon at any time to
go out of the country for long periods.
1t is believed that the demands which
have been made upon senators and
representatives for the muster out OF
volunteer regiments and the discharge
Of volunteers in regiments who have
remained in the service has been sc
great that they will be convinced that
a regular army for garrison duty in
the new possessions is an absolute
necessity.
The post Office department has or
dered an innovation in the postal ser
vice by the experimental establish
ment of a post Office on wheels" tt
operate in the vicinity of Westmin-
ster. Maryland. The service which is
to begin shortly. calls for the use of Z
postal wagon to travel over a designa
4 ted route in rural districts. Mail boxes
/ can be placed at some point on the
route for every farmer living within {
mile of two from the proposed route
and mail will be collected therefrom
One important feature of the contem
plated innovation which, If successful
will be extended generally. is that i
Will have money ordar and ropictr,