Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1899-12-06
which too much credit cannot be give,

which too much credit cannot be given
the War Department.
During the past year we have re-
duccG our force in Cuba and Porto
Rico In Cuba we now have 334 officers
and 1876 enlisted men: in Porto Rico
81 officers and 1855 enlisted men and u
battalion OF 800 men composed of native
Porto Ficans, while stationed through
out the United States are $40 officers
and 1877 men. and in Hawaii ~ Off |
GERS and 453 enlisted men,
HIGH EST COMMENTATOR
The operations of the army are full
~ presented in the report Of the Secre-
tilly of War. l cannot withhold from
officers and men the highest Commen-
dntion for their Sodierly conduct in
trying situations. their willing sacri-
fees for their country. and the integ-
ri;y and ability with which they have
performed unusual and difficult duties
in our island possessions
In the organization of the volunteer
regiments authorized by the act of
March ,, 1899. it was found that no pro-
vision had been made for chaplains.
This omission was doubtless from in
advertancs I recomend the early au-
,horiZaiion for 1he appointment of one
chaplain for each of said regiments.
These regiments are now in the Phil
inpir-s, and it is important that i'm
mediate 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 facli-
ties both for our forces of occupation
ana For the native population. To meet
this requirement has involved sub
stantial reconstruction. The existing
systems We're so fragmentary. defective
andi Inadequate that Il new and COM
prehansivr organization had to be ere
ated. American trained officials have
been assigned to the directing and eX-
ecutivc positions. While natives have
| been chiefly employed in making up the
| body Of tho force. In working out Of
the plan the merit rule has been re-
! ligiously and faithfully applied.
| THE NAVY. ~"
| Il ne navy has maintained the spirit
and high efficiency which have always
| haracterizcd that service. and has lost
N4E. OF the ga.iantry in heroic action
glorious past The nation has equal
pride in its early and later achieve
mcntS It's llabitual readiness for every
emergency has won the confidence and
| admiration of the country. The people
| arc t:,rerested in the continued prepa-
| y
justify liberal appropriations for its
| maintenance and Improvement. The Of
fc5rs have shown peculiar adaptation
I fn: the performance OF new and deli
cate duties Which our recent war has
| imposed.
| FOR BITTER ARMOR PLATE.
1T cannot be doubted that Congress
will az once make necessary provision
! Ter the armor plate for the vessels now
uade. contract and building. Its atten-
ton is respectfully called to the report
Of the Secretary of the Navy in which
| this subject is fully represented. I
unite in his recommendation that the
| Congress enact such special legislation
as may be necessary to enable the de-
4 partment TO make contracts early in
the coming Year for armor of the best
/ quality that can be obtained in this
country tor the Maine Ohio and Mis-
souri,. and that the provision of the act
of March 5. 1899, limiting the price of
arnor to $500 per ton be removed.
In the matter of naval construction
4 Italy and Japan, of the great powers.
laid down less tonnage in the year 1899
than this country, and Italy alone has
| less tonnage under construction. I
/ heartily concur in the recommended
] tons for the increase Of the navy, as
suggested by the Secretary.
| with the approval Of the Secretary
4 Of the Interior, the commissioner Of
1
make the practice at all times uniform
and TO do justice to the dependent wild
Ow, the amount OF income allowed in
| dependent of the proceeds of her daily
labor should be not less than $3.50 per
annum and he urges that the Congress
shall so amend the act as to permit the
| pension office to grant pensionable sta
tus to widows under the terms of the
third section of the act Of Jne 81, 1890
whose income aside from the proceeds
OF daily labor is not in excess of $3.50
per annunl. I believe this to be sim
PIE act OF justice and heartily recon-
mend it..
THE PHILIPPINES .
A considerable portion of the mes.
sage is devoted to the Philippine IS
lands. The President reviews the man
ncr in which we acquired possession Of
these islands and says he had every
reason to believe and still believes tina
this transfer of sovereignty was in &C
lcordance With the wishes and aspira.
tions OF the great mass Of the Philip
pine people. From the earliest rlomen
TO opportunity was lost of assuring the
people of the islands Of our ardent de
sire Tor their welfare and of the inten
ton OF this government to do every
thing possible TO advance their inter
c3ts.
i The President quotes from his earl,
orders to the commanders OF the force
Of occupation to impress this fact upo1
the people and reviews at some length
! the appointment and work of the Phil
iippine commission. from whose repcr
he quotes a copy of the report il
: transmitted to Congress. The claim
Of the rebel leader that he was prom
Used independence by any officer of fnt
United States in return for his assist
} alice has no foundation. in fact, and i
categorically denied by the very wit
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