Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1899-11-16
LUDINCTON'S REPORT.
Work Accomplished by the Quarter
master Generals Department.
on The "OpEy DOOR" IN China.
Foreign Representatives Call Mt the state
Department About the Matter-The
Report OF Gen. shellenbarger
on Handling of Mails

Washington, Nov. l0.-The report oil
Quartermaster General Ludington yes
terday shows an immense amount OF
work accomplished by this department
in connection with the military opera
tons of the past year. He gives list
of 81 vessels now included in the trans
port fleet. During the fiscal year these
vessels have carried 2O2, 5s7 persons be-
tween Cuba, Porto Rico, Hawaii, the
Philippine islands and the United
States. All this has been accomplished
without the loss of a single life through
this account. There have been carried
81, 1858 animals and S6, $50 tons Of freight.
The work of sanitation and recon-
struction accomplished in Cuba and
Porto Rico has been immense. 1t has
included the construction of water
works, the rebuilding and purifying Of
barracks, the building of wharves and
the cleaning OF whole towns and cities.
A total of l,2l4 bodies Of soldiers and
Others dying abroad have been re-
turned to the United States from Cuba,
Porto Rico, the Philippines and Ha-
wall. Many of them were returned to
their friends at the expense Of the gov
eminent and the remainder were in
tered in national cemeteries. This
has been labor Of great difficulty, but
large number of the remains have
been identified and many pieces Of
property belonging to the deceased
have been recovered, marked and re-
turned to friends and relatives or are
being held at present in the depart
ment waiting reclamation by those en-
titled TO them.
THE "opEN DOOR" IN CHINA
Washington, Nov 10.-The diplo-
matte representative OF every nation
directly interested in the Chinese ques-
ton called at the state department
yesterday. 1t was noticeable that the
calls Of the Russian ambassador, Count
Cassini, and the French charge, M.
Thiebaut, on Secretary Hay lasted
longer than usual and the Chinese
minister, Mr.. WI, extended his call to
include Assistant Secretary Hill, who
has been giving much attention to the
subject Of the trade relations Of the
United States in the orient. The in
terest OF the Chinese government in
what is going 20 between the United
States and the European powers is in
tense, but II is believed that Secretary
Hay has relieved the main apprehen-
sion, which was founded upon a sus-
picion that our government, In the
event that the European powers failed
to give the formal assurance Of the
maintenance Of the ''open door," that
1t seeks, will take possession Of sec
ton of the Chinese coast before II is
all taken up by other powers. So conf
dent are the officials Of success that 1t
is intimated they have not even gone
to the length Of framing a policy to
meet the event Of defeat.
THE HANDLING OF MAILS.
Washington, Nov. lO.-The annual
report Of Second Assistant Postmaster
General Shelenbarger, made public
yesterday, urges the handling of mails
by pneumatic tubes in congested CEN
ters of population. Recommendation
is made for 100000 for construction,
together with $2s5, 900 for the present
tube systems the next fiscal year. Gen.
Shellenbarger's estimates for the next
fiscal year aggregate $50, ll1,50O, of
which $685. $40, 600 is for railroad trans
portaton, The usual recommended
tons are renewed for compelling pub
fishers to separate second-class mail
matter