Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1899-10-19
SKATERS REPORT.
Affairs of the Department Of Cali
fornia and Of the Columbia.
INSTRUCTION IN TARGET PRACTICE.
The Wisdom Of Having the Recruiting
Camp and In Wedding Out Men I'm.
fitted for Service Set forth
The Signal Corps.

Washington, Oct. 17.-The war de-
partment yesterday made public the
report of Maj Gen. William R. Shafter,
commanding the department of Cali
fornia and of the Columbia. The de-
partment of California, Gen. Shafter
says, required very little attention,
owing to the small number of troops
quartered. The bulk of the work in
this department pertained entirely to
the transmission of stores and the ship
ment of men to the Philippines and
taking care Of those returning from
there.
Gen. Shafter says that the men in the
recruiting camp have been systematic
ally and thoroughly instructed in their
various duties, with especial attention
to target practice. They have shown
themselves industrious and anxious to
perfect themselves in the use Of their
weapons He further says:
lHViO Null DV uU uuuul vi plC WlouuHi VI 20
tablishing this camp and giving to recruits a
preliminary course Of instruction here. An
other advantage in Keeping the recruits in
this camp is that II has enabled the medical
department to weed out men untitled for such
service. A considerable number Of these have
been found. Had these men been permitted to
go to Manila they would have broken down
there and II they had survived they would have
been a tax upon the hospital department and
ultimately would have been sent back sick and
discouraged, and the effect Of their return upon
the recruiting work throughout the country
would have been unfavorable BY getting rid
of them at the very outset they may return to
their homes in fair condition at least
A considerable number of horses,
purchased in the department, have
given entire satisfaction, and Gen.
Shafter says that they are cheaper,
considering the cost If their transpor-
tation, than horses purchased in the
east. He recommends that so long as
any large body of troops remain in the
Philippines that the recruit camp be
continued at the Preside, and that as
a rule the troops be congregated there
and drilled for at least three months
before shipment.
Col. Forwood, chief surgeon, in his
report to Gen. Shafter notes the estab-
lishment at Honolulu Of hospital for
the care of soldiers going to and re-
turning from the Philippines. The
first hospital established there was one
of 40 beds. 1t was opened under au-
thority of the department by the sur
geon Of the First New York volunteer
infantry in November, 1898. 1t was
located in the suburbs OF Honolulu,
but 1t was soon found that 1t was in
adequate for the wants of the garrison
and the sick from the passing trans
ports, so site was rented at Buena
Vista park and hospital Of 100 beds
has been opened there, with ample
supplies, in charge of Maj. NJ. W.
Wood. The capacity Of this hospital
can be materially increased by the
erection of tents in the grounds.
The work Of the signal corps in the
department has been somewhat inter.
rupted by the outside demands incident
to the months of active war, but
school of instruction for recruits and
enlisted men is now maintained at
Angel island, where the men are
taught telegraphy and signalling.
Upwards Of 100 men instructed at this
post have been already forwarded to
Manila.
Regarding the department of the
Columbia, Gen. Skaters report i.
taken up entirely with the details Of
defenses on Puget sound and at the
mouth Of the Columbia, with the cost
Of installing the same and buildinO