davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1899-02-24
sOME RECOMMENDATIONS.
Retired Army Officers md Nor,
Rf.iA Examinations.

Retired Army Officers md Moro
Rigid Examinations.
Before proceeding to specific descrip-
ton or the conduct and management of
the war, the report gives comments and
suggestions touching certain matters
which came under consideration as
logical consequence of the inquiry pur-
sued by the commission. Referring to
the question of retired officers. the re.
port says:
Under existing laws the officers of the
army are retired when they reach the
age OF sixty-four. We have had before
us many suggestions made by officers on
the retired list. who are men of expert
ence and distinction, that this law should
De so amended as to give to the president
the right to call into active service anv
retlred officer during the time of war.
The right exists as to the retired officers
or the navy, and it seems to us there is
no reason why it should not be extended
to embrace retired army officers,
III does not appear reasonable that an
arbitrary law should prevent during the
existence OF war, the use of experienced
mon merely on account Of their age. We
thlnk 1t would be wise to make it dis.
cretionary with the president to use Of
fcers on the retired list for filling posi-
tons during war and not trench on the
III the field. During the recent war MANY
positions were filled by the appointment
or civilians. to which retired officers
could nave brought professional training.
valuable knowledge and large expert
ence."
In the matter Of regimental officers.
the commission found that all volunteer
commands differed by men Of military
experience and training Jared much better
IMAM those officered by amateurs. The
soldiers were more effectively cared for.
enjoyed better health and were better
fed and clothed.
me commission recommends for the f,,-
tcre strict examination into the uualifi-
cations of all officers appointed to the
army. regular or volunteer. The estab-
itshment OF schools Of instruction for in
experienced officers taken from civilian
life to meet the emergency created by the
war is highly commended Quite a num-
Der OF regular officers assigned to the
command Of volunteer troops adopted this
expedent and the results were eminently
satisfactory. A most important criticism
by the commission Is as follows:
The routine work in the departments,
in our opinion. is far beyond what is nee
essary and each year seams to increase
it. The methods employed make it almost
impossible to transact business promptly.
The heads Of all departments. officers of
Large depots. chiefs Of staff. departments.
corps and divisions have necessarily been
Obliged to give attention to details which
should have been given to matters of
larger moment. No well regulated con-
Germ or corporation could transact bust
ness satisfactorily under such regulations
as govern the staff departments. and the
fact that every officer of each of the staff
departments holding responsibility has
been forced to ignore routine demon.
strates the necessity Of a new form"
The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1899-02-24

Manila, Feb. 16.-Particulars of the
capture Of 1loilo by the United States
forces under Brig. Gen. Miller on Sat
urday last have been received here.
On the morning Of Friday, Feb. 10,
Gen. Miller sent an ultimatum to the
commander Of the rebels on shore,
notifying him that it was Ills intention
to take Iloilo. by force if necessary.
Noncombatants and foreigners were
warned to leave the town within twen-
ty-fcur hours. The rebels were also
warned that they must make no fur
Their belligerent preparations. The
gunboat Petrol was then moved to
position close in shore. and near the
rebel fort, While the Boston took up
her station at the other end of the
town. Friday passed quietly. During
the day many refugees left the town.
The majority of them We're taken on
board foreign ships lying in the har-
bor Searchlights from the United
States warships We're kept all night
long Illuminating the town and it's de-
lenses. The rebels, so far as the look
outs on the ships could discover. re-
manned quiescent throughout the
night. At O'clock on the morning of
Saturday, Feb. IL, the gunboat Sig
nailed to the cruiser Boston that the
rebels We're working in their trenches.
In return the Petrol was ordered to
fire warning shots upon the town from
her three-pounders. This was done
and the rebels replied with harmless
fusillade. The Boston and Petrol then
BOmbnrded the Rebel Trenches,
completely clearing them of their oc-
cuEants in very short space of time.
Shortly after the bombardment be-
gan flames broke out simultaneously
in several parts of town. Thereupon
marines acting as infantry and artill-
cry We're landed from the Petrol.
These detachments marched straight
into the town of Iloilo. and. after
hosting the Stars and Stripes over
the fort, took possession of the place
in the name of the United States. The
capture of the town and it's defenses
having been accomplished. the ma
rines and soldiers who had been sent
ashore proceeded to the task of saw
ing the American. English and Ger
man consulates from destruction by
the fire which was raging among the
frail and infamnable buildings Of
the town. The Swiss consul residence,
which was in the same row as the
consulates named. was burned. The
entire Chinese and native sections os
the town We're destroyed, but foreign
mercantile property escaped with
slight damage. There was some light
desultory firing by the enemy in the
outskirts of Iloilo. but not single
American was injured. Gen. Miller's
force had complete control of the sit
uation when the Petrol sailed from
Iloilo for Manila. The Sixth United
States artillery regiment occupied the
position commanding both the bridges
leading into the town, and the Ten
nessee volunteers and the Eighteenth
infantry were occupying the trenches
that had been constructed by the rob
els.
The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1899-02-24
MEDICAL DEPARTMENT.
Some Shortcomings Are Noted and
RecOmme ndationa Are Made

some Shortcomings Are Noted and
concentrations Are Made.
Medical Department. Brig. Gen. Stern
berg In charge: This important part of
the report Is dwelt upon at great length
by the commission and must be read in
Its complete form to be properly under
stood. A glance at the commissions
summing up. however, will sufficiently in.
oicate its nature:
"F'irst-That at the outbreak Of the war
the medical department was, in men and
materials, altogether unprepared to meet
the necessities Of the army called out
"Second-That as result of the action
through generation Of contracted and
was impossible for the department to
operate largely. freely and without undue
regard to cost
''Thi-d-That in the absence of a special
corps ot inspectors. and the apparent in.
frequency of inspections by chief sur.
geons, and of official reports of the state
OF things in camps and hospitals, there
was not such investigation Of the sani-
tary condition of the army as is the first
duty fnlnosed upon the department by the
regulations.
"Fourth-That the nursing force dur.
ing the months of May. June and July
was neither ample nor efficient, reasons
for which may be found in the lack of
proper volunteer hospital CORPS due to
the failure Of congress to authorize its
establishment and to the non-recognition
in the beginning Of the value of women
nurses and the extent to which their sery.
ices could be secured.
Fifth That the demand made upon the
resources of the department in the care
of sick and wounded was very much
greater than had been anticipated, and
consequently, in like proportion, these
demands were imperfectly met.
"SiXth--That powcrless as the depart.
ment was to have supplies transferred
from point to point except through the
INTERPRETATION of the quartermasters de-
partnlent, it was seriously crippled in its
efforts to fulfill the regulation duty of
furnishing all medical and sick supplies. ;
"Seventh-That the shortcomings in adj
M'nistration and of operation may Justly
be attributed in large measure to tho hur-
ry and confusion incident to the assem-
bling of an army of unframed officers md
men, ten times larger than before. for
which no preparations in advance had
been made or could be made because of
! existing rules and regulations.
EiShth-That Notwithstanding all the
manifest errors. Of emission rather than
; of commission, a vast deal of good work
was done by medical officers. high and
low, regular and volunteer, and there
We're unusually few deaths among the
wounded and the sick.
The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1899-02-24
OFFICIALS ARE PLEASED.
Capture of Iloi1O Causes Satisfaction
at Washington

capture or ilOtlO Causes Satisfaction
at Washington.
Washington, Feb. 15.-The Associat-
ed Press dispatch announcing the cap
ture by the American troops under
Gen. Miller of Iloilo, on the island Of
Panay, was the first news received in
this city Of the fall Of the second
largest city in the Philippines. The
announcement was promptly CON-
municated to the president at the
White House, and it was read with
qualification. Half an hour later the
official intelligence of the fall of the
Maj. Gen. Otis. which Adjt Gen.
Corbin promptly authorized to be
made public:
Manila, Feb 13. - Gen. Miller re.
ports from 1loilo that that town was
taken on 18th inst. and held by his
troops. Insurgents given until even
ing Of 11th to surrender, but their hos
tile actions brought on engagement
during morning. Insurgents fired
native portion of town; but little loss
to property Of foreign inhabitants. No
casualties among the United States
troops reported. OTIS"
There is a feeling of complete salts
faction among such of the American
officials as are aware of this battle, as
considerable apprehension has existed,
not, however, as to the ability of the
Americans to take the place when
they decided upon this step, but as to
the loss Of life which might occur.
The tension between the opposing
forces at Iloilo has been for some
time at the danger point. and a col
lision between them at any time would
not have been surprising. 1t is felt
here that Gen. Miller has conducted
himself with great circumspection in
treating with the natives, as their atti-
tude has been anything but concilia-
tory, and petty annoyances have been
resorted to by them to provoke the
Americans.
The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1899-02-24
GEN. MILLER TAKES 1Lo1Lo.
Insurgents Suffer Another Severe
Defenf

Insurgents Suffer Another Severe
Manila, Feb. 15-The United States
forces under Brig. Gen. Miller cap
tured Iloilo, capital of the island Of
Panay, and seat of the so-called gov
eminent Of the Vasayas federation,
on Saturday last after bombardment.
The rebels set the town on fire before
evacuatfng it, but the American troops
extinguished the flames. There were
no casualties OH the American side.
The United States gunboat Petrol ar
rived late last evening with dispatches
from Brig. Gen. Miller to Mai. Gen.
Otis announcing that Iloilo had been
taken by the combined military and
naval forces on Saturday morning.
Gen. Miller, on the receipt of his in
structions from Manila, sent native
commissioners ashore from the trans
port st. Paul with communication to
the rebel governor Of Iloilo calling
upon him to surrender within time
stated, and warning him not to make
a demonstration in the interval. The
natives Immediately moved their guns
and prepared to defend their position.
Thereupon the Petrol fired two warn.
ing guns. The rebels Immediately
opened fire on her. The Petrol and
Baltimore then Bombarded the town,
which the rebels, having set on fire,
evacuated. American troops We're
promptly landed and extinguished the
fires in all cases Of foreign residences,
but not before considerable damage
was done. 1t is believed the enemy's
loss during the bombarlment was
heavy, but no American casualties are
reported.
The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1899-02-24
NO AMERICAN CASUALTIES.
Insurgent Loss Less That First Re-
ported

pOTtcu.
Washington, Feb. 16.-The confirma-
ton of the press reports detailing the
capture Of Iloilo were received at the
war department with considerable
satisfaction. While no apprehension
had been felt as to Gen. Miller's ,abil-
ity to capture the capital of the Wis.,
ayan federation. or, for that matter,
anything else that was wanted in the
archipelago. the reports of strong in
trenchments that the natives had been
constructing around the town led the
department to fear that the landing
would he bloodier affair than eitheA
of the battles of Manila. 1t was with
great satisfaction, therefore, that Adj
miral Dewey's dispatch was received
saying that we had lost no men at
all and the casualties among the ma
tives was much smaller than at first
reported. The fact that foreign inter-
csts at 1loilo are being satisfactorily
guarded is another source of gratitica-
ton to the administration. This fore
stalls criticism or danger Of interior
encc from any foreign power which
mas all along been complication that
had to be considered as possibility.
but which was intended to avoid at all
costs.
The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1899-02-24
UNPAID AND UNFED.
Filipinos Arc Disconnected and Dis
OrSnNfZed.


London, Feb. 15.-Reuter's Telegram
company, limited, has received the fol-
lowing from Manila dated Feb. 10,
$40 p. M: After the capture of Calico
can, a Spaniard who had been a pris-
oner there, came to the Americans
holding up his hands and said that the
FiNpinos had offered to release the
Spaniards, especially the artillerymen,
If they would undertake to fight
against the Americans at 81 per day.
Most of the Spaniards refused, and
even those who accepted the offer, did
so in the hope of effecting an escape.
The rebels. according to this inform
ant. are discontinued, unpaid. unfed
and thoroughly disunionized, the tails
manic waters being of no avail against
wounds, hunger and fatigue. On Fri
day Aguinaldo visited Polo, a few
miles northwest Of Caloocan, and ad-
dressed the Filipino troops, there
claiming that he had won a victory
and asserting that $500 Americans
had been killed.
The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1899-02-24
TRAvEEN1G MADE EASY.

Thirty thousand Dollars Expended
ON q 2O-Mile K1ondike Road.
Tacoma, Wash, Feb. Is. = Adyices
from the Klondike region state that
Dawson's first tram road is in success.
full operation. 1t runs from Dawson
to the forks Of Eldorado and Bonanza
creeks, and thence up Bonanza, a to-
tai distance Of nearly twenty miles.
Thirty thousand dollars We're expend-
ed in building the road and placing
bridges over Bonanza creek. The
tram company charges cent a pound
for all freight passing over the road.
Ten dogs pull sled Of 1000 pounds.
The North American Transportation
and Trading company is preparing to
engage in hydraulic mining Oh large
scale this spring.
The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1899-02-24
DUTY WELL DISCHARGED.
War Department Worked Witt
Earnestness and Energy.

War Department Worked With
Earnestness and Energy.
The report now proceeds to take up the
subjects In their regular order. beginning
with the army
ION the f,rst day Of April, 1898, the
strength Of the army was 3,143 officers
and 25.040 enlisted men, total of Is. 1873.
War with the kingdom of Spain was de-
clared April q. 1898. On May 81. 5000
volunteers had been mustered into the
service. In August, 1888. the regular
army 207.244. q total of 263.6O9
'These figures OF themselves indicate
that an immense work was thrown upon
the war department. After thirty-three
which the army did not exceed 10000
men. 1t suddenly became necessary to
arm. clothe. feed and equip more than a
quarter OF a million.
How that duty was discharged will APP
pear in detail in subsequent parts Of this
report. The sudden emergency which
called our people to arms after an inter-
val Of half century Of peace with all
foreign powers was met by the war de-
partment with earnestness and energy.
The situation found the. country unpre-
pared with any large stock Of arms, am
munttton. clothing, supplies and equip
ments. That they were duly provided
and the numerous demands on, the in
dustries were met so promptly that they
win remain one Of the marvels of his
tory" 81
Zone of the lessons taught by the war
is that the country should hereafter be in
g better state of preparation, for war.
Suggestions Have been made that large
supplies Of all the material not liable to
: deterioration should be kept ON hand to
be continuously issued and replenished
30 that continually they should be avail
able. Especially should they be provided
with such supplies as cannot be readily
obtained In open market
QUESTION of Authority.
Perhaps the most significant utterance
in the whole document, so far as con-
Germs the discipline and efficiency Of the
army. confee next: ~ .ff5!! Vs. IS.
''For manysyears the divided authority
and responsibility In the war department
has produced friction, for which, in the
tnterestsOf the SERVICE, q remedy, II pos
sible should be applied. 4 Isl
The president must have the same
power Of selection Of hissgeneral-in chief
a. he has Of his secretary of war, without
this there can be no, guarantee that he
Will Give. Or tint the Secretary o. war
will place In the general .in-chief that con-
AdenceY which d necessary for the control
Of the army. e n either the president nor
III secretasy df war should nave IN COM
4 inland OF the army Q person who Is not
working = harmony With Sthsm. !"
The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1899-02-24
Unwonted Glory

The Plimleys entertained their pedro
club few evenings ago, and after tel
Mr.. Plimley put on his new dress suit.
Little Percy eyed him suspiciously
while he was dressing, and finally said:
Papa, you thaid you wath going to
thay home thith evening""
:" So am, my dear boy" Percy's pa
replied.
Little Percy clappetf his hands,
jumped up and down, and in great glce
cried: 81 ~
"Oh. And n with that thuit ony"--
Cleveland Plain Dealer.
The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1899-02-24
NO STAR CHAMBER AFFAIR.
All Examinations Thorough IN
Conducted Openly.

All Examinations Thorough and
Conducted Openly.
Following is the abstract of the report:
1.-THE commission organized Sept. a.
electing Gen. Granville M. Dodge presi-
dent, Hon. Charles DENLY vice president
and Richard Weightman secretary. Gen.
James A. Beaver was designated to con-
duct the examination of witnesses; Lieut..
Col. F. B. Jones. chief quartermaster of
volunteers. was detailed by the war de-
partment as disbursing officer, and Maj.
Stephen C. Mills, u. s. A.. was appointed
by the president as recorder.
''Among the first acts of the commits
tsion was to ask the secretary Of war, the
adjutant general, the commissary gen.
eral and the surgeon general to transmit
all the complaints received by them
touching the administration Of their re-
spective departments. This request was
promptly compiled with, and from that
to the commission Immediately on their
receipt at the war department. In furth-
er pursuance of this preparatory measure,
the commission on Sept. %.
Made Public Invitation
through the press to all persons having
knowledge or belief Of any official wrong
or dereliction to submit their statements
eral proof or information as might be at
their disposal. This invitation met with a
liberal response. Hundreds of affidavits,
Letters, newspaper clippings, editorial
articles and sermons were received. all
OF which were thoroughly and laboriously
Investigated. as will appear in the testi-
mony taken by the commission and the
various exhibits and appendices to be
published hereafter.
cit may be said now. at the beginning
of this report. that there has been no
evidence before us that any one In or con-
nected with the department has dishon-
estly received dollar. We have made
persistent efforts to secure the attend
ance of persons to whose names rumor
had attached an allegation that they
knew Of corruption of officials in the war
department, but these men have either
denied the statements attributed to them.
or have maintained silence when invited
to tell what they knew
The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1899-02-24

Washington. Feb. 12.-The report sub
mitted to the president last Wednesday
by tho committee appointed by him to
investigate the conduct of the war de-
partment in the war with Spain was made
. public tonight. The report is a unani-
nous one. all the members Of the commits
SIGN having signed it except Col. Sexton.
whose death occurred Feb. 4. At it's close
It says:
"It is with profound regret that the
commission reports that during it's latte.
session Col. James A. Sexton was pre-
vented by sickness from being present
end on the fourth day of February our
loved colleague closed an honored and ac-
tive life"
The report is voluminous document.
containing about sixty-f1ve thousand
words. and an official abstract prepared
by the secretary Of the commission, was
furnished to the press for its convenience.
The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1899-02-24
hummer Yard Rurn.

Fond du Lac. Wis.,, Feb. .1G:-Fire
broke out in the large lumber yard Of
Moore & Galloway, and before sub.
dued had wrought damage to the ex-
tent of $4,000; fully covered by in
snrance. At one time the entire
plant. valued at 100000, seemed to
be doomed.
The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1899-02-24

chemical examination. Tho result Of an.
alysis has been reported to US in ninety
nine cases and, as win be seen by the
reports appended, in no specimen exam
insd has either boric Of salicylic or other
deleterious chemicals been found.
I'm view of the facts. above set forth
the commission IL of the opinion that no
refrigerated beef furnished by contractors
and issued to the troops during the war
with Spain was subjected to or treated
with any chemicals by the contractors or
those in their employ"
The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1899-02-24
THE CAPTURE
OF. ILoI.Lo
FURTHER PARTICULARS REGARD
ING OUR LATEST SUCCESS.

Noncombattants and Foreigners
Were Given Twenty-four Hours
In Which to Leave the Toyyn-The
Capture Was Easily Effected
Foreign Mercantile Property Es-
capped With But Slight Damage
From Fire Chinese and Native
Sections of the Town DESTROYED
No Loss on American Side In.
surgent Loss Less Than Reported.
The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1899-02-24
HEAVY LOSSES or STOCK.
Nebraska Ranges Suffering Heavily
Cold ny,sV

Ncbrnslxn Ranges Suffering Heavily
by Cold and Snow.
Chadron, Neb.. Feb. 16.-Reports of
great losses of stock during the re-
cent cold snap continue to come in
and it is probable that when all sec
ticns Of the range country are heard
from the totals will be enormous AL
ready two fiocks Of sheep aggregating
i,4OO. are known to have been entirely
wiped out. Other heavy losses are be-
ing reported.
The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1899-02-24
Town. Almost wfped On,

Halifax, N. s., Feb. 16.-The town OF
Digby, the gateway to the land Of
Evangelinc. was almost wiped out by
IRE. All the business portion OF the
town is in ashes and the losR will be
100000.
The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1899-02-24
Aged Woman Ride. a Dicycle.

NBcW "VH1Hu ANKUeB u D1CyCISs
The oldest bicyclist is woman aged
90, who is an adept rider. Most people
could enjoy health until old age 1T they
took precautions to prevent diseases OF
the digestive organs by taking an oc-
casiOnal dose of Hostetter's Stomach
Bitters. Even after dyspepsia, 1ndi-
gestion and constipation have secured
q fOOthold the Bitters will afford relief.
The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1899-02-24
Epidemic Of sm.llpox

Waterville. Me-. Feb. Is. - The cpl
demic of smallpox in this city has be-
come so serious that the board Of
health has decided to use the state
laws governing epidemics to enforce
the proper quarantine Of houses, etc.