The Indianapolis journal., 1898-12-03
Several Plans and Suggestions Of
Not Received with Favor.
RECORD OF THE CAMPAIGNS
CABLEGRAMS FROM AND TO sHAF-
TER AT SANTIAGO DE CUBA.
Invasion of Porto Rico by Miles.
Deaths in the Army-RecOmmenda-
tions-PIan to Aid Cu5ans.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 2.--The annual report OF
Secretary Alger is practically complete official
history OF the Spanish American war. The sec
retary has given to the public not only all the
official dispatches that passed directly between his
Office and commanding officers in the field
and camp but has supplemented these with short
explanatory 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 ahe
generals who participated in the campaign In
Cuba, Porto Rico the Philippines. and finally.
the reports of all of the bureau officers of the
War Department Nowhere is there shown dis
position to critcise the official dispatches being
allowed to tell their story, and generally the
secretary finds much to praise and cause for sim
cere congratulation in the results obtained.
The report proper begins with what may be-
described es a chronological history OF the war.
consisting OF a number of short paragraphs be-
ginning with the declaration of war on April q,
and setting forth the date which any event OF
importance occurred, but making comment
whatever on the facts. The only exception TO this
rule is in reference to the casualties at Santi-
ago. Some criticism having been made that there
was lack of surgeons present, the report states
that there were 140 surgeons in attendance, and
that Of 1,43l wounded only thirteen died OF their
wounds Touching the surrender at Santiago. the
report shows that Shafter demanded the surrender
on the Sd and renewed this the moraing OF the
4th On the morning of the 18th another demand
was made. On the evening of that day Generass
Miles arrived and ON the 18th and 14tl1pof July
he. with General ShafteY. met the Spanish com-
mander under a flag of truce to discuss the sur
render. On the afternoon Of the 18th General
Miles left General Skaters headquarters and
soon thereafter went aboard ship preparatory to
sailing for Porto Rico. July II Toral surrendered
$4,000 men upon our terms and the American flag
was hoisted by order of General Shafter. The
secretary coming down in his history to the mid
die of August, when an order was issued and is
now in execution to muster out 100000 volunteers.
says;
'sTbus an army Of about 10000 volunteers ana
recruits for the regulars was called into existence
from civil life, and, including the regular army,
the total force was 274,7l7 men. 1t was organ
ized, armed and equipped (no supplies being on
hand other than those for the regulars, save
Springfield musketsO and $4,000 men Of this force
were transported by land and sea TO battlehelds
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 of the protocol.
CREDIT BELONGS TO THE NATION.
''This great achievement can be credited to no
Individual; IT belongs to the Nation 1t was
complished through the intelligence and patriot
Ism Of all who served, from the commander-in-
chief to the private in the ranks. 1t also speaks
volumes for the prompt, patriotic and Intelligent
assistance of the people who furnished in so snort
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 offer
a true need OF praise; but the mighty army in
camp. ready and eager to take the field. should
II their
ready at an hours notice for any emergency. that
overawed the enemy and proved to him that
further resistance would be in vain
1.-THE deaths in the army from May TO Oct l.
including killed, died of wounds and OF disease.
were 29lO the smallest death rate recorded OF
any army in history, remarkable fact when 1t
is considered that over $1,000 Of our troops. born
and reared in the temperate zone. were cam
paening in tropical climates. subject to rain and
heat almost unprecedented"
The secretary says OF the volunteers that to
furlough them in winter would be hardship. 50
he recommends that in lieu Of the furlough the
officers and men be given two months pay at tbs
time of their discharge thus admitting Of their
prompt discharge in their present camps Ia the
South.
Under the head of increase in the permanent
establishment the secretary says: In view OF
the needs of a military force in the islands occu-
pied by the United States. it Is earnestly recom-
mended that the regular army be permanently
increased to 1Oo coo men and the requisite officers;
that a portion Of this army be recruited from the
inhabitants of those islands, TO be mustered into
the service Of the United States. commanded by
officers OF our army. discretion, however to be
given to the President to make appointments OF
officers from the force recruited. These men
are aeclmated, understand the language and hab-
its of their countrymen and their enlistment win
not only give them employment but also have
the tendency to enable the government to get Ia
closer touch with their people than it would ether
wise be able to do. This would also relieve our
own people from serving in those climates 10
large extent. and would. moreover, enable tbs
volunteers to be mustered out Of the service and
return to the vocations of civil life"
Another suggestion is that there should Be em-
poyed in the United States service a constabulary
force for the cities OF Cuba, Porto Rico and the
Philippines who have had experience and can
speak the language Of the islands.
URGES WORK FOR CUBANs.
Secretary Alger thinks that the government will
be greatly taxed TO supply food to the destitute.
especially in Cuba. The effort should be made, he
thinks. TO get the people work instead OF allow
ing them to dwell in ldleness living Upon charity.
He SAYS: Would 1t not be wise economy for the
government Of the United States to construct
substantial railroad. practically the whole length
OF the island OF Cuba, with branch roads 70 the
leading cities on the coast? Such road would.
OF course. cost large sum, perhaps so. ooo, 900.
but It would give employment 70 tha people o.
Cuba, teach them habits OF industry, be an In
ducement for them 10 cultivate their farms and
thus furnish supplies for the laborers and for
market when the road Is constructed This IN
my Judgment is absolutely essential to the pacih-
cation and development Of that great island n
will bring its minerals lumber and agricultural
Continued ON Fourth PaEe.l