New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-12-03
ARMY'S PART IN THE WAR
ANNUAL REPORT OF SECRE-
TARY ALGER.
SANTIAGO, PORTO RICO AND PHILIP.
PINES CAMPAIGNS REVIEWED-CASlPS
AND HOSPITALS-INCREAS OF
THE REGULAR ARMY URGED.

cal history OF the war The Secretary has given
to the public not only al the official dispatches
that passed directly between mis- Office
and commanding officers in the field and camps.
but has supplemented these with the short ex-
planatory notes setting forth the reasons for
various movements and then. 10 complete tho
record. he has included in the body Of his re-
port the reports OF General Miles. Of all the
generals who took part in the campaign in
Cuba, Porto Rico and the Philippines. and final
iy. the reports Of all the Bureau officers OF ths
War Department Nowhere s there shown
disposition 10 crticse. the official dispatches
being allowed to tell their own story. Generally
the Secretary finds much to praise. ard cause
for sincere congratulaton in the results OBJ
tanned.
The report proper begins with what may bs
described a chronological history OF the war,
beginning with the outbreak Of hostities on
April 2l and setting forth the date on which
any affair Of importance occurred. but making
comment whatever the facts. The only
exception TO this rule is in reference TO the
casualties at Santiago. Some criticism having
been made that there a lack of surgeons
present. the report says that there we're 40
surgeons in attendance. and that Of 1,431
wounded. only thirteen died from their wounds
Touching the surrender Santiago. the report
shows that General Shafter demanded the sur
render on July 3, and renewed this demand on
the 4th. On the morning OF the 1lth another
demand was made. On the evening OF that
day General Miles arrived. and on July IL and
II he with General Shafter met the Spanish
commander under flag Of truce to discuss tho
surrender On the afternoon OF the lith Gem
eral Miles left General Skaters headquarters.
and thereafter went aboard ship prepara-
tory to sailing for Porto Rico. on July II Gem
era Toral surrendered twenty-three thousand
men, and the American flag hoisted by order
OF General Shafter.
GREAT ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE NATION.
The Secretary. coming down in his history
te the middle OF August. when an order was is-
sued and is now in execution. to muster out
a hundred thousand volunteers. says
Thus an army Of about $50 900 volunteers ana
recruits for the Regulars was called into ex-
lar Army. the total force was 2,t,'lI men. IL
organized armed and equipped mo
supplies being on hand other than those for the
Regulars 50; Springfield muskets) ana oueU
men OF this force were transported by land ana
sea to batteiieds in the tropics 10000 miles
apart. where they won then victories withouS
a single defeat. and all within the period or ll3
days from the declaration Of war 10 the signing
OF the protocol.
This great achievement can be credited to no
individual; it belongs 10 the Nation. IL wa3
accomplished through the Intelligence ana
patriotism Of all who served from the Com"
mander-in- Chief to the private in the ranks.
IL also speaks volumes for the prompt patri.
otic ard intelligent assistance Of the people who
furnished in short period the supplies
necessary to prepare this great army for ths
field. To the heroic men who served I'm dis
tant lands the country will ever offer truo
need Of praise. but the mighty army in camp,
ready and eager to take the field should also
be given equal credit. II was their presence.
ready at an hours notice for any emergency.
that overawed the enemy and proved 10 MN
that further resistance would be IN vain.
SMALLEST DEATH RATE on RECORD.
The deaths in the Army from May ! TO Octo..
her / including killed died Of wounds and OF
disease were 2olO the smallest death rate re-
corded of any army in history. a remarkable
fact when il is considered that over JVooo or
our troops. born and reared in the temperate
zone were campaigning in tropical climates,
subject to rain and heat almost Unprecedented
The Secretary says Of the volunteers that to
furlough them in winter would he hardship. 80
he recommends that In lieu Of the furlough the
officers ard rnen receive two months pay at the
time Of their discharge. thus admitting OF their
prompt discharge in their present camps In tho
South
A HUNDRED THOUSAND REGULARS WANTED
Under the head OF increase in the permanent
establishment the Secretary says
In ,-iew Of the needs Of a military force in the
islands occupied by the United States. II Is
earnestly recommended that the Regular Army
10 permanently Increased to a hundred thousand
men and the requisite officers; that portion OK
this Army be recruited from The inhabitants
81 those Islands 20 be mustered into the SER
vice Of the United states. and commanded oy
the officers Of Army discretion, however, 20
be given 20 the President TO make appointments
of officers from the force so recruited
These men are acclimated, understand the ian-
guage and habits Of their countrymen ana tneir
enlistment VIII not only give them employment.
but also have the tendency 70 enable the Cow
ernment 20 get into closer touch with tner
people than il would otherwise be aoIe 10 90
This would also relieve our own people from
serving in those climates 10 large extent, ana
would, moreover, enable the volunteers to ba
mustered out Of the service and return to tho
avocations OF civil llte
Another suggestion is that there should be ems
ployed in the United States service constabu-
larv force Tor the cities Of Cuba. Porto Rico ana
the Philippines. who have had experience and
can speak the language Of the islands.
RAILROAD IN CUBA RECOMMENDED
Secretary AIger thinks that the Government
will be greatly taxed 20 supply food TO the des-
titute, especially in Cuba. The effort should os
made. he thinks. 10 g.ve.the people work In
stead Of allowing them TO dwell in ideness. liv-
ing on charity. He says:
Would 1t not lie wise economy for the Gov
eminent OF the United states 10 construct sub
stantal railroad practically the whole length OK
the island Of Cuba. with branch roads leading
to the leading cities on the coast? Such ROAD
would Of course cost n large sum- perhaps
$50 900 900; but Il would give employment 10
the people OF Cuba. teach them habits or ndus-
try be an inducemeni for Them u cultivate
their farms and thus furnish supplies FOR tho
laborers ald for market when the road Is con-
structed This In my judgment, is absolutely
essential TO the paciication and development OK
the great island. II will bring its minerals.
lumber and agricultural products 10 market ana
or en- UP communication with all parts or the
Iafn 10
would be good property, and when II mas
served its purpose for the Government could ne
sold for its cost. II such an Improvement IS not
made the Government will no doubt expend
fully tnat amount In charity