Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1899-12-07
WAR OFFICE REPORT.
Secretary Root Tells Of Army Re-
organization and Philippines.
CHARTER ON The CUBAN SITUATION.
The Work Done In Porto Ric0-P0st Ex.
changes-An Army War College Rec
commended, Open to Instruction
Of National Guard Oiiicers.

Washington, Dec 2.-Dealing as it
does with large questions Of insular
policy, Of army reorganization, Of the
/ future of Cuba and Of the campaign in
the Philippines, the first annual report
OF Secretary Root, just made public, is
Of exceptional interest. The report
begins with recital Of the policy fol-
lowed in recognizing the army in &C.
cordance with the necessities arising
from the discharge of the state volun-
teers and of the men enlisted for the
Spanish-American war and gives sta
tistics Of the past and present strength
Of the organization, covering in that
respect matters dealt with in the re.
ports Of the major general and of the
adjutant general.
The operations in those islands are
next taken up and the report again
points out that the outbreak Of last
February was provoked by the insur-
gents themselves and was, from our
standpoint, unavoidable. Frequent
reference is made to the report Of Gen.
Otis to show the magnitude of the task
set for him with the inadequate forces
at his command when the outbreak
came and high tribute is paid to the
courage of the troops who, in the face
of great han dships, voluntarily con-
sented to forego an immedite return to
their homes upon the expiration of
their terms of service. The history of
the operations of the past season is re-
counted and the secretary outlines the
plan of the campaign, which began in
October 1t is said that wherever the
permanent occupation of our troops
has extended in the Philippines, civil
law has been put in operation, courts
have been established and education
introduced, until at present in Manila
there are now better facilities for pri-
mary education than ever before
A chapter tells Of what has been
done in Cuba by the army during the
past year. Order has been maintained,
social distress has been alleviated, sani-
tation has been instituted and in all
respects satisfactory progress has been
made and the part played by our troops
now is but the restraining influence Of
their presence. The revival of indus
try has been slow, but has also made
gratifying progress and the reconcen-
tradoes have returned to the cultiva-
ton of their lands, though the com
plete restoration Of the sugar industry
has been seriously hampered by the
lack Of capital. As order has been re-
stored the force of troops has been re-
duced and orders have recently been
given for the withdrawal Of eight COM
panies of infantry and eight troops Of
cavalry.
In Porto Rico the year has been de-
soted to administering and improving
the civil government Of the island and
instructing the people in the rudiments
of self-government, at every step in
conference with the leading citizens.
This work has been retarded by the
unfortunate industrial conditions,
owing to lack of markets for the
island produces to the distress caused
by the great hurricane. Nevertheless,
much has been done to correct abuses,
the courts have been reorganized the
writ of habeas corpus has been re-
stored and arrangements have been
made for taking the census.
Extended statement as to govern
ment in the Philippines is waived be-
cause of the full report which will be
presented by the Philippine commits
sion. Reference is made to the nego-
tation between Gen Bates and the
sultan of Sulu and it is pointed out that
it is not only subject to congressional
approval but the sultan has been in
formed that such approval should
not carry with it the consent of the
United States to the existence of
slavery in the islands.
The secretary deals in forceful
manner with the subject of post ex-
changes. He expresses his agreement
with the construction Of the statute on
this point laid down by the attorney
general and produces statistics from
the United States forces at posts and
elsewhere to show that the overwhelm-
w testimony Of the army is to the
vnosS tiav cnc pfcscnp iog ulev..- 49,
promoted the temperance, discipline,
morals and health of the enlisted men
and that in the interest of morality and
effective service it should be retained.
The secretary says:
The political question to be considered is not
whether soldiers should drink or not drink, but
whether they should be permitted to drink beer
In camp, surrounded by the restraining in
fiuences Of discipline and good association, or
whether they should be driven TO drink bad
whisky in the vile resorts which cluster around
the limits OF every military post and especially
around those In which prohibition is maintained
| have no doubt that the present regulation fur
nishes the wise answer to this question.
One of the most important chapters
of the report deals with the subject of
A a L.