The San Francisco call., 1898-12-03
PRAISES THE
 BRAVERY IF TIE TROOPS Alger Reports on War
 Victories. GREAT VALOR IN TROPICS INCREASE IN REG ULAR ARMY RECOMMENDED. Suggestion That the United States Construct Substantial Rail-
 road the Whole Length
 of C1ba.
PERMANENT INCREASE IN REG
 ULAR ARMY RECOMMENDED.
Special Dispatch. to The Call.

 has given to the public not only all the official dispatches that passed directly between his own office and commanding officers in the field and camps, but has supplemented these with short explan- atory notes setting forth the reasons for various movements, and then, to complete the record of events, he has included in the body of his report the report of General Miles, of all the gen erals who participated in the campaign in Cuba, Porto Rico or the Philippines, and, finally, the reports of all the bu- reau officers of the WaH Department. Nowhere is there shown a disposition to criticize, the official dispatches be- ing allowed to tell their own story, and generally the Secretary finds much to praise and cause for sincere congrat- ulations in the results obtained.
 The report proper begins with what may be described as chronological history of the war, consisting of number of short paragraphs beginning with the declaration of war on April 21, and setting forth the date upon which any event of importance occurred, but making no comment whatever upon the facts. The only exception to this rule is in reference to the casualties Of San- tiago. Some criticism had been made that there was a lack of surgeons pres ent. The report states that there were 140 surgeons in attendance, and that of 1431 wounded only thirteen died of their wounds.
 The Secretary, coming down in his history to the middle of August, when an order was issued, which is now in execution, to muster out 100000 Volun- teers, says:
 Thus an army of about 250,Oo0 volunteers and recruits for the regulars was called into existence from civil life, and includ- ing the regular army the total force was 274,717 men. It was organized, armed ana equipped (rio supplies being on hand Springfield muskets). and 50,O0O men of this force were transported by land and sea to battlefields in the tropics, 10000 miles apart, where they won their victo- ries without single defeat and all within the period of 113 days. from the deciara- tion of war to the signing of the protocol to no individual; it belongs to the nation. It was accomplished through the intelll- gence and patriotism of all who served from the commander in chief to the pri- vate in the ranks. It also speaks volumes for the prompt, patriosf sfc and intelligent assistance of the people who furnished, in so short a period, the supplies neces- sary. to prepare this great army for the field. To the heroic men who served in distant lands the country will ever oIIeT true need of prai e; but the mighty army in camp, ready and eager to take the field, should also be gwen equal credit It was their presence, ready at an hours notice for any emergency, that oyera wed the enemy and proved to him that further resistance would be in vain.
 The deaths In the army from Nay l to October l. including killed; died ~e wounds and of disease, were 29le. the smallest death rate recorded of any army In his- tory, a remarkable fact when it" IS con sidered that over 50O00 of our troops, born and reared in the temperate zone. were campaigning in tropical climates, subject to rain and heat almost unprece- dented.
 The Secretary says of the volunteers that to furlough them in winter would be a, hardship, so he recommends that I in lieu of the furleugh the officers and men be given two months pay at the time of their discharge, thus admitting of their prompt discharge in their pres ent. camps in the South. Under the head of increase in the permanent es- tablishment the Secretary says:
 In view of the needs of a military force in. the islands occupied by the United States 1t is earnestly recommended that the regular army be permanently in- creased to 100000 men and the requisite recruited from the inhabitants of those islands, to be mustered into the service of the United States. commanded by offi-
 
 be given the President to make appoint- ments of officers from the forceNso re. cruited.
 Secretary Alger thinks that the Gov ernment will be greatly taxed to sup ply food to the destitute, especially in Cuba. Ahe' effort should be made, he thinks, to give the people work instead of allowing them to dwell in idleness, living upon charity. He says:
 Would it not be wise economy for the Government of the United States to con- struct a substantial railroad, practically with branch roads to the leading cities on the coast? Such a road would, of course, cost a large sum, perhaps S2O 900 900; but it would give employment to the people of Cuba, teach them habits of industry, be an inducement for them to cultivate their farms and thus furnish supplies for the laborers and for market when the road Is constructed. This, in my judgment, is ab- solutely essential to the pacifcation and development of that great island. The road would be good property, and when it has served its purpose could be sold for Its cost. If such an improvement is not made the Government will. no doubt, ex- pend fully that much in charity.
 :. At this point the Secretary includes reports of General Miles and all the other generals who participated in ac- tive operations. He then takes up the telegraphic and other correspondence relating to the war, and that matter occupies more than a fourth of he Secretary's whole report. That portion devoted to the telegraphic correspond ence of the war closes with a few dis patches indicating the finish of the San tiago campaign.
 Next follow a number of reports of various officers and officials to the Sec retary of War. some of which are in- dorsed by the Secretary. Of the mili- tary academy for instance, he indorses the recommendation for an increase of the number of cadets by twenty an- nually to be appointed by. the President and one by each Senator to supply the officers needed for the army of the fu- ture.
 Of the adjutant generals recommen- dations the Secretary says they are judicious and merit the favorable con- sideration of Congress- Instead of in crease of pay for officers serving in the West Indies and Philippines to the next higher grade, as recommended by the adjutant general, the Secretary thinks that the pay of those officers, as well as those in Alaska, should be increased 50 per cent while they are so serving, because of the additional expense they are put to. He says the question of na vrpanf for damages fo for,,,c o,d