The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-11-26
In the Territory Conquered in
the Recent War.
POSTMASTER GENERAL
Charles Emory Smith Submits
His Annual Report
Enormous Increase in Every
Branch of the Service.

for some years owing to its operations
in military and naval fields, is the re-
port of Postmaster General Charles
Emory Smith. Aside from the discussion
of the regular branches of the depart
ment it tells of the work accomplished
and policies adopted in our territorial
acquisitions. The postmaster general
says:
1.-The war entailed the necessity of a
military postal service and prompt
measures We're required for handling
the mails of an army of a quarter Of
million of men. Large postoffices were
suddenly created at the camps of con-
centration, the exigencies of constant
changes and movements were met and
the military and naval forces on active
service in the West Indies and Philip
pines had prompt and constant postal
communication with home. These mill
tary postof1ceS were clothed with all
postal powers. Some of the larger
camps increased the volume of postal
business 10 that OF cities or hlgh rank
Quick and intelligent management was
demanded, and trained clerks were de-
tailed from available points"
Continuing the report says:
when our troops advanced into Cuba
the postal service also advanced with
them. When Santiago surrendered
United States Postal Agent Eben Brew
er took possession of the pOStOffice of
pOstOfhce. He removed the Spanish
directors and ten of its large force of
clerks, retaining some as interpreters,
and gave the office a far better footing
with a much smaller force. Now there
are four deliveries in the business por-
ton of Santiago City, and regular mail
communication has been established
with Havana and interme diate seapOrtS
and with Jamaica and other West In
dian islands. Service has been extended
into Santiago province.
a
arms and our flag to Porto Rico. From
Ponce it was extended as rapidly as
the different places passed into our pos
session, until now there are now twelve
military postal stations there, having
postal connections with many smaller
places. They are under the direction
of a superintendent detailed from the
railway mail service who acts in con-
junction with the military commander
with a force of six railway mail clerks,
three postal agents and thirty-two
clerks, including four Spanish trans
latOrs. In the Philippines two military
postal stations have been established at
Manila and Cavite, supervised by a vet
eran division superintendent detailed
from San Francisco and conducted by a
force of railway mail and pOstoffice
clerks and agents, assisted by details
from the army of occupation"
Referring to the methods of extend
ing the postal service in the acquired
territory, the report says:
THE general postal service was as
ISOLATED with the military postal SER
vice and operated by the same ma
chinery. No appointments, save in one
or two instances were made. Trained
men from our home service were detail
ed as superintendent and agents and
placed in charge OF the larger Offices
retaining such of the old EMPLOYEES as
were needed or could be made avail
able. In the smaller places the old
pOStmaSterS are continued or other local
officers are found. There has already
| been great improvement over the old
Spanish service, and the work has only
just begun
1.-The acquisition of Hawaii has not
thus far been followed by any change
in our postal relations with that coIln-
try. The absorption of its postal sys-
| tenn into our own and the exercise of
our control, like the incorporation of
other features of it's local administra-
| ton have awaited the report of the con-
gressiOna1 committee and the legisla-
| ton will follow. There was the more
reason for observing this obligation as
| Hawaii already has a good mail service
/ which is more than self-sustaining."
| The report refers at length to the
| service rendered during the late war
| by the auxiliary cruisers and merchant
marine, and says:
| Our recent experience has iIlustra-
! ted and emphasized the Importance of
/ this resource and has demonstrated
! that one of the most effective and eco
! nomical bulwarSs of naval power is
| the possession of swift mail steamers,
| capable of immediate conversion into
| armed cruisers. In the further develop
/ menU of our naval force this factor can
! not fail to receive consideration The
! advancement of our commerce requires
! that we shall have carrying facilities.
! A commercial marine is not only vital
J to commercial expansion, but it pro-
/ V1deS the best source for the expansion
| of the naval force, which becomes nee
| essary in time of war. From every
| point of view it is thus a legitimate OBJ
| ject of governmental concern, and the
| adoption of practical and reasonable
| measures within our power for the pro-
| motion of this object seems to be die
| tated by every consideration of public
| interest. The act of 1891 invested the
| postmaster general with authority to
| enter into such contracts for the car
| rying of mails on American steamships
as in his judgment will best Subserve
| and promote the postal and commercial
! interests of the United States. The first
fruits OF this act were the powerful
| steamers, which converted into armed
| cruisers, rendered such useful service in
| the war with Spain. They were en-
| plOyed in carrying the mails across the
| Atlanuc ana compare favOrab bly, with
| the Atlantic steamers under any flag
! But the act further provided that the
| mail service on lines thus created should
be equitably distributed among the At
lantic, Mexican Gulf and Pacific ports
In accordance with this provision lines
have been established into the ports of
! Gulf of Mexico and steamers recently
| launched for this service and Just now
undergoing inspection by naval off,
GERS will be available as cruisers SHOULD
they be needed in a future emergency.
But no lines have thus far been esta b.
liShed under this act on the Pacific
and the requirement OF an equitable
distribution which enjoys attention in
that direction is forced and accentua-
ted by the recent expansion of Ameri-
can interests on that ocean. Should
steps be taken to extend our flag over
American steamships on the Pacific, as
it has been moderately extended on the
Atlantic such action will not only com
ply with the spirit and purpose Of the
| existing law, but it will naturally fol-