Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1899-05-25
NAVAL EXPERIMENT.
Secretary Long Wants Western Men
to Enlist in the Navy.
THE RETURt OF The VOLUNTEERS.
The Pacific Fleet Being Made Ready TO
Bring the Regiments Home from Ma
nila-The Dewey Fund-survey-
Ing Public Lands.

Washington, May l9.-Secretary OF
the Navy Long is deeply interested in
the result of an experiment, which Is
to be made under the direction Of Capt
John NJ. IIawley, for the enlistment OF
800 or $50 men in the middle west and
west 1t is believed western enlist
ments will quicken that sections in
terest in the navy. Many inquiries
have been received by the department
from the west by young men OF
adventurous spirit who would like
to Join the navy, but who can
not afford the expense vi travel
ing to New York or Boston with
the chance of rejection after their ar
rival. 1t is proposed, therefore, to
send a recruiting officer through the
west next month to gather in 800 or
$50 recruits. Only bright and promis-
ing American citizens between the
ages of Is and IS will be taken. They
must be able TO read and write. Ex-
ceptional inducements are to be offered
those recruits in the shape Of long
cruise on Admiral Farragut's old flag
ship Hartford, which is now at the
Mare Island navy yard. She has been
thoroughly reftted at cost of about
$3.50, 900. The recruits will be sent to
the receiving ship Independence at
San Francisco for several months OF
preliminary shaking down. and then
will embark upon the Hartford for
New York.
THE RETURN OF THE VOLUNTEERS.
Washington, May l9-War depart
inent officials expect that within two
months the Pacific transport feet will
be on its way home from Manila with
the last of the volunteer regiments.
The entire Pacific fleet Is now being
overhauled and provisioned for the
voyage to Manila and return. There
will he no delay in the sailing of the
ships. OF the feet of transports in the
Pacific, the Sherman, Grant and Sheri-
dan are under orders for Manila, and
will carry regular troops to take the
place Of the volunteers.
Secretary Alger had long confer
ence yesterday with the heads of the
staff bureaus of the department re-
garding arrangements for the return
of the volunteers. Nearly every state
has requested that the regiments be
returned to the states whence they
came, as the people want to see them
as organizations instead of as individ-
uaIs. II this be decided upon while
awaiting muster out, they will be held
in camp either at San Francisco or at
state camps, where these exist.
TIE DEWEY FUND.
Washington, May 10. Yesterdays
contributions to the Dewey home fund
amounted to S9,Ol6. The total so far
received by the national committee is
$3.50. The following circular to pres
idcnts of boards of trade and chambers
Of commerce was sent out yesterday
by Chairman Vanderlip;
"a order that all parts Of the country may take
part IN raising fund to provide home in
Washington for Admiral George Dewey, the
distinguished bodies representing commerce
ana trade IN the chief cities are invited to take
steps for securing subscriptions for that pur-
pose, As president of your organization you
are requested TO extend such aid as your wis.
dom may dictate, and to enlist your city heartily
in behalf of this movement of patriotic graft.
tudo It may be well for you to publish daily
list Of your local subscribers, and to remit
moneys NJ frequent intervals to the treasurer Of
the fund in Washington, with names and adj
dresses Of the donors, Temporary receipts will
at once be returned and duplicates, handsomely
engraved, of the same date and number bearing
portrait, will be sent to each subscriber The
observance that home In the nations capita
should be provided for him by the popular aifec
ton and esteem will be fitting factor in tn,
welcome To the great admiral when he lands il
his native country on his return from the seen,
Of his brilliant victories.
SURVEYING PUBLIC LANDS.
Washington, May l0.-ln all the pub
lie land states comprising much of thu
territory west of the Missouri wher,
unapproved surveys have been made
examiners from the general land Office
are now at work to report on these sur
veys The force has been doubled owe
that engaged in the work last season
in order to expedite examinations, Sc
cure an earlier approval of the survey
and allow settlers to make earlier I'll
ings in the various land offices.
Royal Arcanum Supreme Council.
WASHINGTON. Nav l9.-The suprem,