The San Francisco call., 1899-08-25

War has no right to take away anything Con-
gross gave Us. But 70 free themselves from
blame and be good fellows they now hold
ing out that money to US as a bait They
offer US that money condition that we re-
enlist. enslave ourselves for three years more,
Just as X three months soldering IN the Phil-
ippines wasn't enough TO satisfy any man. OF
course some fish will bite at anything-so they
bite at the travel pay (Which is ours any wayl
out don get of without punishment. They
are assigned TO steerage passage on an army
them 10 hrst-class cabin. The Red Cross
nurses members OF the postal service and
needy Filipinos travel first-class; there is room
for them when there is none for discharged
men It matters not whether one is hospital
steward or dishonoraby discharged soldier,
X : the same, steerage
Il would take up too much time and space
20 describe the life OF a discharged soldier on
United states transport would think
that We were political prisoners sentenced to
Siberia by the mighty Car instead Of Ameri-
can citizens. whose only crime Is that they
were soldiers and would not re-enlist to serve
in the Philippines
a terrible crime. Is it not? 1t isn't sufficient
that these men have all braved hardshps.
diseases and the ensmy's bullets uncomplain-
ingly and been robbed OF travel pay in the bar
gain II isn't sufficient punishment to hold
them in the army after their contract had ex-
pired- These men were all held against their
will and al REPORTS 70 the contrary notwith-
standing II isn't sufficient punishment that
these held after being discharged
under pretext that there wasn't room FOR them
on the three transports that left Manila. which
Is a poor excuse at best All these men are
anxious to return to their families and voca-
tons, TO take up life where they left off. But
no: they must walt until It viii please some
official in authority TO grant a bit OF space
below three hatches down in the hold (this in
lieu OF travel pay and subsistence enough TO
hold body and soul together.
All these are not sufficient punishment but
the men must be sacrificed 70 military rules
and when i pleased that walking hogshead Of
Cyrus Noble in the uniform OF an artillery
officer 10 abuse and insult US he could do II
at his pleasure. for II Is proper and lust. no
redress for discharged soldiers.
The Guartermaster is the supposed 10
have charge Of US and provide Us with quar-
above but we never got ratons-I mean the
full ration the Government allows We sell
DON, got sufficient food to satisfy our hunger
and besides being insufficient in quantity IL
was poor in quality, and badly cooked. Meat
Ike Indiarubber potatoes with double Jackets
Tone OF dirt) spoiled water called coffee for
courtesy and heated dough called bread con-
stftuted dinner and supper The troops on
hoard Jared better because they had funds ac-
from savings on rations.
Now what want to know is what became
n our savings? During our stay at Nagasaki
and Yokohama none Of the discharged men ate
On hoard saving of six days ratous for 254
men a total of 1924 rattons, which is worth.
according to Government value, 1881. Add 10
This savings made while we were on board
and see II the quartermaster would have lost
any money by giving US macaroni when the
rasonsf had IT, or giving US the same bread the
troors had Il mean the bread with the raslnsl.
Yes even that stale bread. raisins and hot
1-ater which you named plum duff you
could have afforded for the discharged soldiers
as we'll as the troops.
we know what ration is; we know that
No man mot even a discharged soldier) can
eat up a Government ration. there have
been savings made and no extras bought. SO