The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-12-03

Volunteers to be mustered out of the ser
vice and return TO the avocations of civl
iife'
Another suggestion is that there Shout
be employed IN the United States ser
vice constabulary force for the cite
Of Cuba, Porto Rico and the Philippines
who have had experience and can speal
the language of the islands.
Secretary AIger thinks that the govern
fnent viii be greatly taxed TO supply fooc
20 the destitute, especially IN Cuba TIT
effort should be made, he thinks, to give
The people work instead of allowing then
60 dwell In idleness, living upon charity.
He says:
Would It not be wise economy for the
United States to construct a substantial
railroad, practically the whole length OF
the island of Cuba, with branch roads to
the leading cities of the coast. Such a
road would of course, cost q large sum,
perhaps 81, 600 900; but It would give en-
ployment to the people of Cuba, teach
them habits of industry, be an induce
ment for them to cultivate their farms
and thus furnish supplies for the labor
ers and for market when the road is con-
structed. This, in my Judgment, is alb
solutely essential to the pacification and
development Of that great island. It viii
bring it's minerals, lumber and agricul-
rural products 10 market and open up
communication with all parts of the is
land with the leasst possible delay. The
road would be a good property and when
It has served its purpose for the govern
ment could be sold for its COST If such
an improvement IS not made the govern
M Hcrrh fp1l q
much in charity
The secretary says that even II this road
IS to be built there Is a necessity for a
large appropriation to relieve the desti-
zute. The question of sanitation of the
cities should also have immediate atten-
ton, and a portion Of the taxes collected
IN the island should be expended for that
work.
Some recommendations that occur in the
early portion Of the report are that pro-
vision be made for statue Of General
Grant;that Chief Clerk Tweedale be made
a Northumberland; that provision be
made for second assistant secretary OF
war and that an appropriation be made
for the construction OF the Lake Union
Washington ship canal.
The statement Of expenditures and est
mates presents some formidable figures.
The expenditures for the fiscal year ended
June 80 last, were So, 594, 7S4, and the esti-
mates for the next fiscal year beginning
July 1, 1899, are $195 80, 377. OF this great
estimate the sum of s55. 49,, 900, is charged
70 pay Of the army. The estimate of ex-
traordinary appropriations required for
the six months ending June 90, 1899, are
$50, 1853, and the estimates for that
period, combined with those of the next
fiscal year, reach total of s2J5, 1881
At this point the secretary includes in
his reports Of General Miles and all the
other generals who participated in active
operations. He then takes up the tele-
graphic and other correspondence relat-
ing 70 the war. and that matter occupies
more than a fourth OF the secretary's
whole report. AS already stated, the dis
patches are allowed 20 tell the story of
the war without comment as far as Dos
sible, although in instances the secretary
orefsces them with short notes. explana-
tory OF tho reasons which led 10 their
TRANSMISSION.
This part of the Official story begins |
win the statement that early in Nav a |
movement upon Havana was contem- |
could be assaulted and captured before |
the rainy season set IN. but the plan was !
subsequently abandoned, on account of
the reported movement Of the enemy's |
fleet. II was proposed to send another
part Of It to Key West. in accordance /
on account of the proximity of the latter /
place to Mariel. Cuba The secretary /
quotes one OF the dispatches at this point /
as follows:
Headquarters of the Army. Washing
ton, May 9.
The Major-General commanding d. /
rects that the following order be sent by
Telegraph to General Wade at Tampa:
Direct Major-General Shafter to move
his command, under protection Of the
navy and seize and hold Mariel, or most
important point on north coast of Cuba,
where territory is ample to land and de-
ploy army. Follow up his command with
all the force sent to YOU. Troops will be
sent you as rapidly as possible from
Chickamauga and othre points.
Signed J. c. GILMORE
Assistant Acknowledgement"
This order was forwarded by Adiutant
General Cor5in TO General Wade who was
instructed 10 nave the troops fully eouip-
ped with sixty days rations 10 be followed
by four months supplies 4 number Of
kilograms are included to show that din
Guilty was experienced in getting water
at Key West for the EXPEDITION. The
movement OF troops being delayed until
May 16, IL Was proposed to CARR nub-
her of them 10 Key West and disembarlx
them there. so that the ships might re-
turn 70 Tampa, 70 bring more troops IN
I'll 12,e9 men could be assembled at Key
West General Wade. however. TELEGRAPH
ed on the 1lth Of May that there was no
water in Key West. so that / tbecame
serious question now large body Of
troops could be maintained there. On
the 2lSt. General Shafter telegraphed Cen
eral Miles that he was temporarily de-
tanning part Of the volunteer regiments
at Jacksonville on account OF the diff
Guilty OF finding suitable camp ground Ar
Tampa.
The next dispatch is one from General
Miles. outlining the plan CT campaign. II
reads as follows:
Headquarters Of the Army. washing
ton. D. c. May %.
The honorable, the secretary Of var.
'Sir:-Referring 10 my letter Of yester-
day and 10 our consultation since. ! de-
sire 10 submit the following:
As We are now about 10 inaugurate
active military operations in conjunction
with the navy, think il would be advis-
able 10 load the transports At Tampa with
= strong force Of infantry and artillery.
move them 10 Key West. ana thence
along the northern coast OF Cuba. where
they would have the full protection OF
y afa-e i
Admiral Schley's fleet at Santiago de
= 'uha and than nv d. ,,,,,,.s..-, =, .