The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-12-06


Justice, expressed in numerous resolu
tions and memorials, has urged them ~
labor for the noble achievement Tho
general character Of this convention III
ready signed by the delegates OF more
than twenty sovereign States, further
commends it to the favorable action Ut
the Senate of the United States, whose
ratification il still awaits"
The President recommends that Com
gress provide a special medal Of honor
for the volunteers, regulars. sailors and
marines on duty in the Philippines who
voluntarily remained in the service after
their terms Of enlistment had expired
MILITARY ESTABLISHMENT.
THE force now in Manila consists
of 800 officers and 30,57S regulars, and
594 officers and 1888 of the volunteers,
making an aggregate OF 1,499 officers
and 1896 men. When the troops
now under orders shall reach Manila
the force in the archipelago will com
prise 2,051 officers and 63,4S3 men.
The muster out of the great volunteer
army organized for the Spanish War
and the creation Of Il new army the
transportation from Manila to San
Francisco of those entitled to discharge,
and the transportation Of the new troops
to take their places have been a work
of great magnitude well and ably done,
for which tGo much credit cannot be
given the War Department.
THE ARMY.
During the past year we have reduc-
ed our force in Cuba and Porto Rico
In Cuba we now have 334 officers and
10,7 96 enlisted men lin Porto Rico 81
officers and 1855 enlisted men, and Il
battalion of 400 men composed Of ma
tive Porto Ricans: while stationed
throughout the United States are 90
officers and 1877 men, and in Hawaii
l. officers and 453 enlisted men.
The Operations Of the army are fully
presented i'll the report of the Secretary
of War. / cannot withhold from Off
GERS and men the highest commenGation
for their soldierly conduct in trying situa-
tions, their willing sacrifices for. their
country, and the integrity and ability
with which they have performed un-
usual and difficult duties in our island
possessions.
In the organization of the volunteers
regiments authorized by the act of
March End, 1899, it was found that no
provision had been made for chaplains.
This omission was doubtless from mad
vertence. / recommend the early at-
thoriZation for the appointment of one
chaplain for each of said regiments.
These regiments are now in the Phil
ippines, and it is important that imme-
diate action be had.
POSTAL SERVICE.
'In restoring peaceful conditions, or
derby rule, and civic progress in Cuba,
Porto Rico, and, so far as practicable,
in the Philippines, the rehabilitation of
the postal service has been an essential
and important part of the work 1t be-
came necessary to provide mail facili-
ties both for our forces of occupation
and for the native population. To meet
this requirement has involved a substan-
tial reconstruction. The existing sys-
TENS were so fragmentary, defective,
and inadequate that a new and compre-
hensive organization had to be created.
American trained officials have been as
signed to the directing and executive
positions, while natives have been en-
ployed chiefly in making up the body
of the force. In working out this plan
the merit rule has been vigorously ana
faithfully applied.
THE NAVY.
THE navy has maintained the spirit
and high efficiency which have always
characterized that service, and has lost
none of the gallantry in heroic action
which has signalized its brilliant and
glorious past. The nation has equal
pride in its early and later achieve
ments. Its habitual readiness for every
emergency has won the confidence and
admiration of the country. The people
are interested in the continued prepare
ton and prestige of the navy and will
Justify liberal appropriations for it's
maintenance and Improvement The
officers have shown peculiar adaptation
for the performance of new and deli
cate duties which our recent war has
imposed.
1T cannot be doubted that Congress
will at once make necessary provision
for the armor plate for the vessels now
under contract and building. Its at
tention is respectfully called to the re-
port of the Secretary of the Navy, in
which the subject is fully presented.
| unite in his recommendation that the
Congress enact such special legislation
as may be necessary to enable the De-
partment to make contracts early in
the coming year for armor of the best
quality that cam be obtained in this
country for the Maine, Ohio and Mis-
souri,, and that the provision of the act
of March Bird, 1899, limiting the price of
armor to $500 per ton be removed.
I'm the matter of naval construction
Italy and Japan alone of the great pow
ers, laid down less tonnage in the year
80 than this country, and Italy alone has
less tonnage under construction.
heartily concur in the recommendations
for the increase of the navy, as suggest
ed by the Secretary.
PENSIONS.
with the approval of the Secretary
of the Interior, tho Commissioners of
Pensions recommends that, in order 10
AW~YS