The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-12-03
What Was Accomplished During
a Brief Period.
Many TelegrRphic Communication
Between the Secretary and the
Generals OF the Army Now First
Published - GEN. Shafter Was
Anxious To Permit the Spanish
Forces to Evacuate Santiago and
Only Restrained From Accepting
This O6cr by Imperative Orders.

WASHINGTON, Dec. e-The annual TO
port of Secretary Aiger is practically
complete official history of the Spanish
American war. The secretary has given 20
the public not only all the official dis
patches tha, passed directly between his
own office and the commanding Officers in
the field and camps. but has supplemental
these with short explanatory notes, setting
forth the reasons for the various move
ments, and then. to complete the record OF
events. he has included In the body OF his
report the report of Gen. Miles. of all the
generals who participated In the campaign
in Cuba. Porto Rico or the Philippines. and
finally. the reports of all the bureau o.
ficers Of the war department Nowhere
Is there shown a disposition to eriticise. tho
official dispatches being allowed to tell
their own story. and generally the sscre-
tary finds much to praise and cause for sin-
cere congratulation In the results obtained.
Only Thirteen Died Of Wounds.
The report proper begins with what may
be- described as a chronological history Of
the war. consisting Of a number OF short
paragraphs beginning with the declaration
OF war on April II. and setting forth the
date upon which any event of Importance
occurred. but making no comment what.
ever upon the facts. The only exception
TO this rule is in a reference TO the casual
ties OF Santiago. Some criticism having
been made that there was lack OF sur
geons preselt, the report states that there
were lao surgeons In attendance. and that
OF l.4sl wounded only thirteen died OF their
wounds.
A Marvellous Record.
The secretary coming down In his his
tory to the middle Of August. when an order
was issued. which Is now In process of exc
cutfon, TO mGs:er out loo0O volunteers.
says:
Thus an army of about $4,000 volun-
teers and recruits for the regulars was
called into existence from c.vii Hfe and,
including the regular army. the total force
was 21i.fi7 men. II was organized. armed
and equipped mo supplies being on hand
other than those for the regulars. save
Springfield musketsp. and 5o.0o OF this
force was transported by land and sea 20
battlefclds In the tropics 1000 miles apart,
where they won their victories without a
single defeat. and all within the period OF
1is days from the declaration OF war to the
signing OF the protocol.
This great achievement can be credited
1t was accomplished through the intelIi-
eence and patriotism OF all who served,
from the confmander-ln-chief 10 the private
In the ranks. II also speaks volumes for
the prompt. patriotic and intelligent patri-
otism OF the people. who furnished In 50
short q period the supplies necessary TO
prepare this great army for the field To
tho heroic men who served In distant lands
the country will ever offer a true need OF
praise, but the mighty army In camp, ready
ard eager TO take the field. should also he
given equal credit. II was their presence.
ready at an hour's notice for the emer-
gency that overawei the enemy and
proved 10 him that further resistance
would be in vain.
The Deaths In the Army.
The deaths In the army from May %
October I. including killed. diesi of wounds
and Of disease, were 2si0. the smallest
death rate recorded ~ any army I'm his
tory. a remarkable fact when II IL COM
sIdered that over 56obo Of cur troops born
and reared in the temperate zone were
campaigning in tropical climates subject
TO rain and heat almost unprecedented"
FurIouHhs Not Recommended.
The secretary says of the volunteers that
70 furlough them In winter would be a
hardship 50 he recommends that In reu
os furlough the officers and men be given
tHn Ua9Nfhs ISAJ AZ tiH Time Gf ths.ir Gts-
charge. thus admitting of their prompt
discharge IN their present camps in the
South.
Big Army Increase Asked.
Under the head of increase in the per-
ruanent establishment the secretary SAYS.
In view OF the needs Of military force
IN the Islands occupied by the Tnssd
States 1t il earnestly recommended that tho
regular army be p. rmanentiT increased
20 10000 men and the requisite officer:
that portion Of this army be recruited
from The Inhabitants Of thGs. Islands. 20 10
mustered into the service Of the United
Statse. COMMANDED by Officers of our army,
discretion. however. 20 he given 10 the pres-
ident % make appointments OF officers
from the force SO recruited
Another suggestion Is that there should
BE- employed in the United States servics
a eonstal,ssiary force for she cities of Cuba,
Porto Rico and the Philippines vino have
Of the Islands.
Food for Destitute In Cuba.
Secretary Aiger thinks that the govern
rnent viii be greatly taxed 70 supply food
20 the destitute. especially In cufa. Tire
EFFORT %aauld ba made. no thinks. 20 give
the people work instead o. allowing them
10 dwell la Eienezs. living upon charity.
He says:
Railroad for Cuba.
"Woul3 Il not b@ wise economy for the
government ef the United States 10 con-
ssruet substa n;ial railroad. practically the
whole length Of the island OF Cuba, with