Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1899-12-28
SEEKING PENSIONS.
Applications Piling Up as a Result
Of the War with Spain.
THE SITUATION IN The PHILIPPINES

Washington OfIicisls Gratihed ut the Way
Thing. Are Turning Out In Luzon-
Surgeon General wyman'. Re
port on Yellow Fever.
Washington, Dee. 26.-Pension at.
'oraeys are piling up cases against
he government as result OF the wal
with Spain. Already $4,000 applica-
,ihas have been lied by the soldiers
81 the recent war. As an illustration
OF the rhoroughness with which the
regiments have been canvassed, it Is
said that from the Scventy-frst New
York, the regiment that did not win
honor at Santiago, more than 300 APP
plioations have been obtained. In the
Ninth Massachusetts there are CSC
applications. The business of get.
ting new pensions has been systema-
tizcd. The number OF cases filed In
the name of soldiers who have served
in the Philippines have become SO
numerous Us to attract official atten-
ton. Upon investigation it has been
discovered that he attorneys send
their agents to the war department
every day TO co., the list of casual
ties cabled by zen. Otis. The pen
sion attorneys then ascertain the next
of kin from the enlistment records.
Correspondence is opened with the
soldier, or his relatives, with view
of prosecuting a claim. The authori-
lies may Issue an order that will bar
pension attorneys hereafter from the
department records. The attorneys,
however, can procure clients from the
daily dispatches that furnish the
,amcs OF the sick, wounded and killed.
The total number of Adjustments for
the Spanish war anf the Philippine
insurrection was about $4,000. Near
" 10000 of these were re-enlistments,
so that the total Of enlisted men is
approximately 100000. Judging from
the applications already filed, one
soldier in every Il has become pen
sion seeker in less than two years
from the date o! the declaration of
war.
The Situation In tho Philippines.
Washington, Dec. 26.-Washington
officials are very much gratifed at
the existing situation in the Philip
pines. The insurgent army, which
dominated the northern part of the
island up TO November s, when the
American campaign began, has dis
appeared. American garrisons are
established at mere important points,
promising peace in the surrounding
territory, and tire general condition
has so improved that Gen. Otis con-
slders it feasible to open all the ports
of northern Luzon to trade. Gen.
Otis will now turn his attention to
the rebels south of Manila, and it is
expected will begin active operations
against them in few days. Just
what the strength of the insurgents
force in southern Luzon is the au-
thorites are unable to say, but it
is probable many of the insurgents
under Aguinaldo in the north have
Joined the rebels in the south. The
authorities would be glad to know
that their conclusion is correct, for in
the south there will be a good oppor-
tunity to cut off the armed Filipfnos,
and II large number could be cap
turcd at one time 1t would mean the
death blow OF the revolution.
Aguinaldo has not yet reached the
southern territory but is believed to
be in the northern mountains trying
to clude the American columns, which
are securing the country. Aguinaldo
is undoubtedly working his way south
in order to gain command of large
force.
Surgeon General Wyman's Report
Washington, Dec. 26.--In his annual
report Surgeon General Wyman, Of
the marine hosIital service, invites
to the conclusions of the
commission of medical officers of the
marine hospital service detailed by d.
recton OF the president to make an
investigation into the cause of yellow
fever Their findings are important,
as they verify those of Sana-
relli. They further demonstrate that
Ii. They further demonstrate that
this disease is received into the hui
man system through the respiratory
tract, and indicate the probability
of n protective and curative serum
similar in its use to that now EN-
ploycd in the treatment of diphtheria.
While this discovery gives ground for
hope of amelioration in the matter Of
yellow fever in the future, the sur
geon general calls attention to other
measures deemed highly essential,
The success attending the efforts of
the government authorities in Cuba in
diminishing the prevalence of this dis.
ease by sanitation is an object lesson
to be studied by our own and all other
governments of the western hemis-
pherc. An inquiry is now being con-
Quoted concerning the ports of the
western hemisphere where yellow fe-
yer constantly prevails. with a view
of definitely determining the reason
therefor, and rloving, il possible.