The true northerner., 1898-12-07
OFFICIAL WAR HISTORY.
Secretary Alger Reviews the Events
of the Recent Important Vic
tories of Our Army.
GIVES DUE CREDIT TO ALL CONCERNED.
Death Rate Among Troops from May
to October Was the Smallest N
History Recommends That the
Regular Force lie Increased tn
100000 Men-Other suggestions.

Washington, Dec. S-The annual report
of Secretary Alger is practically complete
official history of the Spanish-Ameiican
war. The secretary has given to the public
aot only all the official dispatches that
passed directly between his own office and
commanding officers in tie field and camp,
but has supplemented these with short eX-
planatory notes setting forth the reasons
Tor various movements, and then, TO COM
plete 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 CT the
Philippines, and finally the reports of all
of the bureau officers of the war depart
ment. Nowhere is there shown disposi-
tion to criticise the official dispatches be-
ing allowed to tell their own story, and
generally the secretary finds much 10
praise and cause for sincere congratulation
in the results obtained.
A Great Achievement.
The secretary, coming down in his his
tory to the middle of August, when an or
der was issued and is now In execution to
muster out 100000 volunteers, says: THUS
an army Of about 25O,000 volunteers and
recruits for the regulars was called into
existence fIOm civil life, and, including the
regular army, the total force was 2A,n7
men. 1t was organized, armed and
equipped (no supplies being on hand other
than those for the regulars, save Spring
field muskets), and $4,000 men of this force
were transported by land and sea TO bat
tlehelds in the tropics 10000 miles apart,
where they won their victories without
single defeat. and all within the period of
113 days from the declaration OF war TO the
signing oI the protocol
Credit for the victory.
This great achievement can be credited
TO no individual; it belongs the nation.
II was accomplished through the .ntelli-
gence and patriotism oil all who served,
from the commander in chief to the priv ate
in the ranks. 1t also speaks volumes for
the prompt, patriotic and intelligent assist
ance of the people who furnished, in so
short a period, the supplies necessary to
prepare this great army for the field. To
the heroic men who served in distant lands
the country will ever offer true need OF
praise, but the mighty army in camp,
ready and eager to take the field, should
also be given equal credit. 1t was their
presence, ready at an hours notice for any
emergency, that overawed the enemy and
proved to him that further resistance
would be in vain.
Death Rate of the Army.
''The deaths in the army from May to
October /, including killed, died Of wounds
and Of disease, were 2,910, the smallest
death rate recorded Of any army in history,
a remarkable fact when 1t is considered
that over $4,000 Of our troops, born and
reared in the temperate zone, were cam
paigning in tropical climates, subject 10
rain and heat almost unprecedented
Wants Army OF 100000 Men.
Under the head Of increase in the perma-
nent establishment the secretary says; In
view OF the needs of a military force IN the
islands occupied by the United States, il
is earnestly recommended that the regu-
lar army be permanently increased TO
100, 900 men and the requisite officers; that
a portion of this army be recruited from
the inhabitants of those islands, to be mus
tered into the service of the United States,
commanded by officers of our army, dis
cretion. however, TO be given to the pres
ident 20 make appointments of officers
from the force so recruited.
Estimates.
The statement Of expenditures and esti
mates presents some formidable figures.
The expenditures for the fiscal year ended
June 30 last were SCI, ,53i7S4. and the esti-
mates for the next fiscal year, beginning
July 1, 1889, are Sl95,25O,S77 OF his
great estimate the sum OF $55. 10000 is
charged to pay of the army. The estimate
OF extraordinary appropriations required
for the six months ending June 30, 1899, are
$50, III $50, and the estimate for that period,
combined with those for the next fiscal
year. reach total OF s255.427,911
Recomme ndations.
Next follow a number of reports of va.
rious officers and officials TO the secre.
the secretary. OF the military academy,
for instance he indorses the recommenda.
tion for an increase of the number OF ca
dets by 20 annually, TO be appointed by
the president, and one by each senator to
supply the officers needed for the army OF
the future.
The secretary says the Red Cross and
other relief associations contributed In a
very large degree TO the care and com.
forts OF our sick soldiers and should re-
~ 80 Il slnNa lie Of hA RnfN m
The secretary calls attention TO Surgeon
General Sternberg's circular of instructions
to the army, issued April 25. and says had
It been strictly followed less sickness " ould
have resulted.
Our Dead I'm Cuba.
The graves OF the soldiers at Santiago,
IN Porto Rico and the Philippines have
been marked, and their remains will be
brought home as soon as the plans are
completed: