Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1899-06-22
A CENSUS OF CUBA.
Preliminary Steps Taken to Maxi
lie Island Independent.
WANT A LARGER PHILIPPINE ARMY.
Responses Of Governors to INQUIRIES Sent
Out by the New York Herald
Army 0fscers In Favor Of
the Csnteen.

been taken, by direction of the presi
dent, looking toward turning over the
island of Cuba to its inhabitants as an
Independent nation. While it is recOg'
nized that it will be months and posi-.
bly, years before the island will be sui.
fciently paeifed to permit of the estab.
lishment Of a stable government, at the
same time it has been decided to take
the preliminary steps, When ali dan
ger OF uprisings and organized brigand-
age has disappeared the first step will
be to take a complete census of the
island and orders have already been is
sued looking toward this work. 1t is
now proposed to know the number Of
native Cubans. Spaniards and foreign
ers, both in the country and the towns.
An effort will also be made to get
at least an approximate idea of
the race question in Cuba, so far as
it relates to the colored people. The
census is particularly to show the edu-
cational status of the people Of Cuba,
because on that will depend in large
degree the question of franchise A
great majority of the Cuban leaders
who have been consulted by the admin
istration take the ground that the con-
stitutional convention which is to lay
the foundation of the new government,
must be constituted with the utmost
care to avoid disaster. 1t is probable
the administration in Washington will
insist upon an educational test, at
least in that election, so the work
OF planting the new government
will be in the hands of educated per-
sons, although manhood suffrage might
be adopted for the new government.
1t is believed here the census will be
completed before September I, but it is
doubtful If the constitutional conven-
ton is held until after congress meets.
WANT A LARGER PHILIPPINE ARMY.
New York, June 19.-Should Presi-
dent Mckinley deem it necessary, in
view Of the protracted fighting in the
Philippines. to call for volunteers sutfi-
cient in number to effectively repress
the rebellion, he will find practically
the entire country behind his back in
support Of his action. That this is an
indisputable fact is shown by responses
Of governors to Geographic inquiries
sent by the New York Herald. The
heads of state governments through.
out the country were asked whether
they thought the American military
force now in the Philippines Sufficient
ly, strong to crush the instruction,
and If not how many more soldiers
should be sent. The uniform answer
to the first question is no. Regard
ing the second query the consensus
of opinion is that the army under Maj.
Gen. Otis should be increased to lOO,-
900. The feeling is practically univer-
sal that to continue the campaign with
the present seemingly inadequate force
is more costly in lives and less credit
able to the country than it would be to
raise the army to 100000 men, hurry
the achievements to the Philippines
and crush the rebels in one short, sharp
campaign. There is an impatient de
sire to see the end of the war, and
willingness cheerfully to stand by the
president in raising as many more men
as may be needed quickly to bring
about that end.
IN FAVOR OF THE ARMY CANTEEN.
Washington, June l9.-Army officers
who were requested to submit to the
war department their views on the post
exchange system have been sending in
their reports. In nearly every report
the post exchange is regarded as indis-
pensable to the morality and comfort
and contentment of the enlisted men.
1t is found to work without friction
at all the camps and garrisons and
contributes, it is claimed, to the eff
fciency and sobriety of the troops.
Only among few of the volunteer
commands has the post exchange been
a detriment, and there it was due
to carelessness in the management
or the abuse of the canteen feature by
the enlisted men. The reports from
the regulars are practically without
a difference of opinion as to the value
of the exchange. 1t is reported by
some of the officers that the grogshop
keepers in the neighborhood Of army
posts are working against the system
and positive evidence is presented
which shows that the substantial back
ing of the movement attributed to tenn
perance people comes from the liquor
dealers who have most to gain by the
closing of the most exchange.