The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1899-12-07
REVIEW OF ARMY WORK.
Secretary of War Root Favors q
Larger Military Force and Makes
Other Important suggestions.

Washington Dec 2-The annual report
of Elihu Root, secretary of war, was made
public Friday The first half is devoted to
the operation of the army in the Philip
pines Cuba and Porto Rico. The report
gives a full history of the military opera
tons in the Philippines from August u,
1898, up to the present time An impor-
tant feature of the report is comprehen-
sive outline of plan of government for
Porto Rico.
The form of insular government proposed
provides for the appointment of governor
by the president, to be confirmed by the
senate; the chief officers of state customary
under our system, and legislative council
to be composed of the chief officers of state
and minority selected from the people OF
the island by the president. All acts of the
council are to be subject to the veto power
of the governor and to be passed over the
veto by a two-thirds vote No law is to
become effective until ii has remained with
out this approval for 30 days after its pres
entation to congress or the president. 1t is
suggested that voting right should be linn
tied to those who read and write or who
own a small amount of property.
The report cites in brief the history of the
military operations in the Philippines.
Porto Rico and Cuba during the fiscal year
ended June 80 1899 Relief work in all three
places is dilated upon. The transport serv-
ice, it is stated, includes 81 steam trans
ports. with saving in work done over or
binary commercial rates of 1901 900. The re-
moval of the dead from Cuba and similar
work contemplated from the Philippines is
touched upon.
An increased and recognized regular
army, with many new and novel features
in the system involved, is earnestly recon-
mended. Radical changes, which contem-
plate the betterment of the service in
every department are proposed. The
changes in the army organization and the
increase proposed are in the first instance
specified particularly, while in the second
no definite statement is made except as
to artillery. The present artillery force is
recommended to be increased five times its
present strength The increase in officers
and enlisted men is to be sufficient to man
the equipment in the seacoast fortifca-
tions, besides providing for the other
branches of the service.
The regular army now numbers 81 1899 en-
listed men and 2,24S officers, making a total
of 64,247, and a volunteer force numbering
1850 enlisted men and l ,524 officers, making
a total of "a, 5H The deaths from all causes,
including casualties in action, for the IA
months from May, 1898, to June, 1899 in
elusive were 6,619. The deaths from disease
from all causes were at an annual death
rate of but 25. 68 per thousand.
Estimates of the cost of maintenance for
the fiscal year ending June 80, 1900, are as
follows:
Civil establishment .............$ 81 967, FOG
Support of the army and military
Fortificatons and river and bar. 'Oi''I"
Dor improvements ,................ 80 499. SIC
Miscellaneous OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES. 5196, 799
A net deficiency appropriation of $780,
600 is asked for