The evening times., 1899-11-10

Hundreds of army officers wives have
. D. partments order refusing them trans
pol,ation on the Government vessels to Ma
Mia, and remonstrances are being received
daily against what they term an infringe>
neni OF their freedom. The Government
cannot prevent the women from joining
their husbands If they pay their own trans
por;ation. but few can afford the cost OF
journey. which is even more expensive now
than usually. owing 10 the reduced number
OF ships plying between this country and
Chinese and East Indian waters.
Nearly every suitable vessel formerly en-
gagged in the trade with the Orient has
been chartered Or purchased by the War
Department to transport troops, SO that the
few now in operation have a monopoly on
the carrying trade and have put up the
rates to an exorbitaIt extent. The War
Department does not wish women to be
with the troops at Manila, and, acting un-
der a suggestion from General Otis last
summer refused transportation TO the fam
lilies of all officers soon after the departure
OF the first consignment OF troops. With
those troops, however, were number OF
officers who took with them their wives
and children at Government expense.
All the earlier ships proceeding by the
Suez Canal, from New York, carried. in ad-
dition to the soldiers, from so TO 100 women
who were either wives of officers on board
or were going TO join their husbands in Ma
Mia. Then came General Otis protest. He
found that il was often necessary to retain
large detachments Of troops around Manila
TO afford protection TO the women and chill
dren, and on one occasion. when there was
firing near the city, II was necessary 10 put
all the women and children on transports
to insure their safety.
Secretary Roots order was issued be-
cause of the lack of quarters on ships to
transport all families wishing to go. as
well as for military reasons, and the diff
Guilty in securing proper quarters and COM
forts for them in the Philippines.
The women seem TO be willing to under
go all the hardships If the War Department
will permit them to take passage on the
transports. Many of them allege that the
pay of junior officers hardly enables them
to live alone. while their husbands must
spend considerable money also for support
at the front. The number of wives who
are thus separated is estimated TO be sew
eral hundred including those whose hus
bands are field officers and colonies, and
many have large families which are now
deprived of the usual quarters at army
posts and other military stations. These
posts are practically deserted. except
where artillery is stationed and the in
creased cost of living on account of the soss
of these quarters and the necessity for
themselves abroad is telling on their sala-
ries, their wives say TO an alarming sX-
tent.
II is a possibility that something may
be done later TO relieve the burden. and
after the close of the war the authorities
may relax the order and permit the wom-
en- to take passage on the transports. Even
this action, however. would not tend TO
bring many officers and wives together for
several months. because of the limited ac-
commodations on each ship for women
passengers. The department is kindly dis
| posed toward them all and will do what is
practicable to relieve their troubles. Gen
eral Corbin has received most of the let
ters from the women. and in some in
stances has personally replied. but he is
! unable to stop the remonstrances and ap-
peals.