The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-12-08

the pacific settlement of
conflicts m a be regarded as realizing
the earnest desire of great number of
American citizens, whose deep sense
of juStic, expressed in numerous reso-
buttons and memorials, has urged them
to b for this noble achievement.
The general character of this conven-
ton already signed by the delegates of
more than twenty sovereign states. fur
their commends it to the favorable &C
ton Of the senate of the United States,
whose ratification it still awaits"
MEDALS FOR CERTAIN SOLDIERS.
The president recommends that con-
gress provide a special medal of honor
for the volunteers, regulars, sailors AM
marines on duty in the Philippines
who voluntarily remained in the service
after their terms of enlistment had ex-
pired.
OUR FORCE IN THE PHILIPPINES.
THE force now in Manila consists u
s05 officers and 30.57s regulars and 594
officers and 15,3SS of the volunteers,
making an aggregate Of 1,499 officers
and As. 966 men.
When the troops now under orders
shall reach Manila the force in The
archipelago will comprise 2.501 officers
and 63,4S3 men. The musterout Of the
great volunteer army organized for the
Spanish war and the creation of a new
army, the transportation from Manila
to a Francisco OF those entitled 10
discharge. and the transportation OF the
new troops TO take their places have
been a work of great magnitude we'll
and ably done. for which too much
credit cannot be given the war depart
ment.
TROOPS IN CUBA AND PORTO
RICO.
During the past year we have re-
duced our force in Cuba and Porto
Rico. In Cuba we now have 334 off,
GERS and 10, 796 Unlisted men; on Porto
Rico 81 officers and 1855 enlisted men
and a battalion Of 400 men composed
Of native Porto Ricans; while stationed
throughout the United States are $40
officers and 1877 men, and in Hawaii
II officers and 453 enlisted men.
1.-THE operations of the army are fully
presented in the report of the secretary
of war. / cannot Withhold from officers
and men the highest commentator for
their soldierly conduct in trying situa-
tons, their willing sacrifices for their
country, and the integrity and ability
with which they have performed unus-
ual and difficult duties in our island
possessions.
I'm the organization of the volunteer
regiments authorized by the act OF
March 2, 1899, it was found that no pro-
vision had been made for chapl.ins.
This omission was doubtless from in
advertance. I recommend the early
authorization for the appointment of
one chaplain for each of said regi-
mentS. These regiments are now III the
Philippines, and it is important tlat
immediate action be had.
POSTAL SYSTEM IN OUR new
POSSESSIONS.
In restoring peaceful conditions, or
1nr1Hr rr11n oY1 Olivia n1r io T11h1
Porto Rico, and, so far as practicable
in the Philippines, the rehabilitation of
the postal service has been an essen
tial and important part of the work. 1t
became necessary to provide mail IA
~cilities both for our forces of occupa
ton and for the native population. To
meet this requirement. has involved a
substantial reconstruction. The existing
systems were SO fragmentary, defective
and inadequate that a new comprehen-
sive organization had to be created.
American trained officials have beer
assigned to the directing and executive
POSITIONS, while natives have been
chiefly employed in making up the
body Of the force. In working out this
plan the merit rule has been rigorous
ly and faithfully applied.
OUR NAVY.
1.-The navy has maintained the spirit
and high efficiency which have always
cha1 acterized that service, and has lost
none of the g%allantry in heroic action
which has signalized its brilliant and
glorious past. The nation has equal
pride in it's early and later achieve
ments It's habitual readiness for ev-
5 cry emergency has won the confidence
and admiration of the country. The
people are interested in the continued
preparation and prestige of the navy
| and will justify liberal appropriation
for it's maintenance and improvement
t The officers have shown peculiar
adaptation for the performance OF
: new and delicate duties which on
2 recent war has imposed.
: THE ARMOR PLATE QUESTION.
ut cannot be doubted that congress
will at once make necessary provision
for the armor plate for the vessels
Z now under contract n building. it,
attention is respectfully called to thu
E report of the secretary of the navy
l in which the subject is fully present
i ed. I unite in his recommendation
thai the congress enact such specia
l legislation as may be necessary it
. enable the department to make con
U tracts early in the coming year FOL
+ amor OF the best quality that can b.
= obtained in this country for the
Maine, Ohio, and Missouri, and tina
1 the provision Of the act of March 3
4 1855, limiting the price Of armor t.
> $500 per ton be removed.
y I'm the matter of naval construction
: Italy and Japan, of the great powers
+ laid down less tonnage in the yeal
: 1899 than this country. and Italy alon'
has less tonnage under construction.
! heartily concur in the recommends
lions for the increase Of the navy, a!
suggested by the secretary.
+ PENSION LAW AS TO WIDOWS.
s with the approval Of the secretar.
of the interior, the COMMISSIONS pen
S sions recommends that. in order t.
make the practice at all times uni
form and to do justice to the depend
Y ent widow, the amount o. income al
lowed independent of the proceeds o
her daily labor should be not less thar
$3.50 per annum, n he urges that tn
= congress shall so amend the act a
to permit the pension office to gran
Il pe~nsionable status to widows undo
: the terms Of the Third section of tn