The true northerner., 1899-12-06
REVIEW OF ARMY \
Secretary of War Root Repor
Results in Cuba, Porto Ri
and the Philippines.
RECOMMENDS A LARGER REGULAR Al
Also FavOrs Radical Changes for Z
Improvement Of the Service-II
pOrtant suggestions Made as To tn
Government OF the COlOnies-Othe he
RecOmmen

Washin gton, 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
tions In the Philippines from August H.
1898, up TO the present time. An impor-
tant feature OF the report is comprehen-
sive outline OF plan of government for
Porto Rico. 1t is understood that Presi-
dent Mckinley is In entire accord with Sec
retary Root on this question, and that the
plan outlined by the secretary will be the
Identical plan which the president will rec
ommend TO congress in his annual message.
Government for Porto Rico.
Concerning the plan of government pro-
posed for Porto Rico, Secretary Root cites
the Paris treaty, which provides that con-
gress shall determine the civil rights and
political status of the natives of the terri
tory ce6ed TO this government. The scheme
outlined includes a definite declaration by
congress of what American laws are to be
made applicable to the Porto Rlcans, fol-
lowing which II is recommended that
federal judiciary be established.
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 a 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 it has remained with
out this approval for 80 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 secretary considers ii too early to es-
fah 1iGb aUt cla att,Ta yiy Va n
habitants the franchise only in municipal
affairs.
Military Operations.
The report cites in brief the history Of the
military operations in the Philippines,
Porto Rico and Cuba during the fiscal year
ended June 3O 1899. Relief work in all three
places is dilated upon. The transport serv-
ice, 1t is stated, includes 81 steam trans
ports, with a saving in work done over or
dinary commercial rates Of $50l 900. The re-
moval of the dead from Cuba and similar
work contemplated from the Philippines is
touched upon.
FavOrs Larger Army.
An increased and reorganized 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 tne HTst 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 fortifica-
tions. besides providing for the other
branches Of the service.
He points to the bravery displayed by the
regular army officers during the late war
with Spain and the insurrection in the
very thoroughly learned that an army Of
ficer. when he becomes such, does not cease
to be an American citizen.
Deaths I'm the Army.
The regular army now numbers 81 .999 en-
listed men and 2,24S officers, makirg a total
of 64 PAT, and volunteer force numbering
30,0J0 enlisted men and 524 officers, making
total of "a, ,574. 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 25.6S per thousand.
Estimates.
Estimates Of the cost of maintenance for
the fiscal year ending June 30, 1900, are as
follows:
Support of the army and military
academy NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.. 81 OILS go
Fortifications and river and har-
bor improvements .................N,4 30, 49e. 57s
A net deficiency appropriation of $l6,0O0,
900 is asked for.
other RecOmme N da tiOns.
The secretary declares in favor Of a cable
from the United States to the Philippines.
xyfa axx.a IN