The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1898-12-09
SECRETARY ALGER'S REPORT
1t Is Practically a Complete History
of the Spanish-AmeriCan War.
NO CRITICISMS ARE MADE.
IL Is Largely Made Up Of Omclal Dis
patches General Miles Selected Shat
ter for Duty in Cuba-Rocommends an
Army of 100000.


ter for Duty In Cuba-Rocommends an
Army of 100000.
WASHINGTON, Dec 3-The annual
report of Secretary Alger is a practi'
cally complete history of the Spanish
American war. The secretary has
given to the public not only all the
official dispatches that passed directly
between his own office and command
ing officers in the field and camp, but
has supplemented these with short eX-
planatory notes, setting forth the
reasons for various movements, and
then, to complete the record of events,
he has included in the body Of his re-
port the report of General Miles, of all
the generals who participated in the
campaigns in Cuba, Porto Rico or the
Philippines, and, finally, the reports
of the bureau officers of the war de-
partment. Nowhere is there shown a
disposition to criticise, the official dis
patches being allowed to tell their
own story, and, generally, the secre-
tary finds much to praise and cause for
sincere congratulation in the results
obtained.
The report proper begins with what
NAV be described as chronological
history of the war, consisting of
number of short paragraphs beginning
with the declaration of war on April
81, and setting forth the date upon
which any event of Importance oc-
Cured, but making no comment what
ever upon the facts. The only eXcep'
ton to this rule is in reference to the
casualties at Santiago. Some criticism
having been made that there was a
lack of surgeons present, the report
states that there were 140 surgeons in
attendance, and that of 1,431 wound
ed, only thirteen died of their wounds.
Touching the surrender at Santiago,
the report shows that Shafter de-
manded the surrender on the Sd and
renewed this demand on the 4th. On
the morning of the 18th another de-
mand was made On the evening of
that day General Miles arrived, and
on the 18th and 14th of July, he, with
General Shafter, met the Spanish COM
mander under a flag of truce, to dis
cuss the surrender. On the afternoon
of the 18th, General Miles left Gen
eral Skaters headquarters and soon
thereafter went aboard ship prepare
tory 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 middle of August, when
an order was issued that is now in eX-
ecution to muster out 100000 volun-
teers, says:
"Thus an army of about 100000 vol
unteers and recruits for the regulars
was called into existence from civil
life, and, including the regular army,
the total force was era men. 1t
was organized, armed and equipped
mo 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 battlefelds in the tropics, 10000
miles apart, where they won their
without a single defeat, and |
all within the period of l13 days from
the declaration of war to the signing
Of the protocol.
Praise for the Entire Army.
"This great achievement can be cred
ted to no individual; it belongs to the
nation. 1t was accomplished through |
the intelligence and patriotism 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 short |
a period, the supplies necessary to pre-
pare this great army for the field. TO
the heroic men who served in distant |
lands, the country will ever offer a
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 them that further resistance would
be in vain.
"Major General Shafter was selected
to command the expedition to Cuba by
the major general of the army, who
made the recommendation to the Pres
ident, and with this recommendation
the secretary of war was in full accord
Results proved the wisdom of the as
signment.
Under the head of increase in the
permanent establishment, the secre-
tary says:
Army of 100000 Recommended.
In view of the needs of q military
force in the islands occupied by the
United states, it is earnestly recon-
mended that the regular army be per-
manently increased to 100000 men
and the requisite officers; that a por-
ton 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.