Omaha daily bee., 1899-10-17

Most OF the admirals OF the spanish war
having been provided with swords OF honor
and other testimonials OF public esteem, at
tention is now turning to the soldiers who
distinguished themselves in the Philippine
campaign. The first one provided for Is the
famous adopted son of Kansas General
Frederick Funston Last May a fund OF
$1,000 was raised in Kansas to provide
suitable sword for the hero OF flood and
field, and the gift awaits his return to the
state capital The sword is a handsome
specimen OF the metal workers art. Around
the pommel Is wreath of oak leaves
eurmounted by an American eagle In full
relief. The grip is OF sterling silver, chased
to simulate the scales of the coat OF mail of
the goddess Minerva. The guard is formed
of a female figure in full relief, bearing a
wreath Of laurel and a torch. On the broad
portion OF the guard. on the back, Is the
seal Of the state Of Kansas, and on the fiont
the monogram, f. T., made OF diamonds.
The guard terminates in sunfower, the
center of which Is carved topaz,
The scabbard Is of sterling silver orna-
mented with three bands, to which are at
tached the belt trappings, which are chased
to represent the fruits and plants OF the
Philippines. Upon these bands also are in
scribed the names OF the battles, "Caloocan,"
Polo" "Marilao," "Guiguinta," "Malolos."
"Bagbag," "Calumpit," "Apalit," "San
Tomas "San Fernando" and two min
iature tropical scenes. On the upper
band OF ornament is the badge
Of the Eighth army corps on one
side and the Roman fasces on the opposite
side The lower band, forming the toe OF
the scabbard, is ornamented with a mono
gram OF the letters U. S.
The blade Is of the finest steel, made in
accordance with the United States army reg
ulations in every respect. On one side Of it
is etched and gilded General Funston's now
famous reply TO General MacArthur's in
quiry as to the strength of his position on
certain occasion: II can hold the position
until my regiment is mustered out" On the
opposite side of the blade is the presenta-
tion inscription: Presented to Brigadier
General Frederick Funston by the People OF
Kansas"
with the exception OF the blade, every
particle OF metal in the sword is OF fine
sterling silver, while all the ornaments on
pommel, scabbard guard and belt mount
lngs, etc. are heavily gold plated. The belt
and sword knot are Of the finest material
and in strict accordance with army regula-
tions. The monogram on the guard is OF
diamonds, and the whole is executed in the
highest class Of workmanship A handsome
case, lined with chamois, and with silver
name plate. completes the very handsome
testimonial to the Kansas soldier
A blunder on the part of an interviewer
brought upon the devoted head of John II.
Peyton, army secretary of the brotherhood
or ST. Andrew. storm Of criticism and
scathinP denuncation. Mr. Peyton. on his
return from Manila, was quoted as saving
that American soldiers in the Philippines
were 'rakes, gamblers and drunkards"
What he did say was that the Filipinos re-
sarueu American soldiers as rakes gamblers
ana drunkards. Quite difference Mr..
feyton adds: Let me say right here that
never since the world was formed has anv
government sent to foreign country n
nobier, grander body OF men than the Ameri
can government sent to the Philippines.
lney are brave. Not only brave in war, but
morally brave as we'll"
oh tne question OF sending missionaries to
the flilplhos, Mr.. Peyton thinks it would
be more profitable to keep ministers among
our soldiers, and added these remarkable
statements about the natives: ''If there are
as Is stated, 1O,OoO,O0O natives in the Philip
pines, then there are over 1000 900 of them
Roman Catholics. The islands were con-
quered by priests, not by soldiers The ma
Z
They are children with undeveloped intelli-
gence, and they are wonderfully moral. over
2oo soldiers with whom l conversed upon the
subject corroborated my opinion as to the
morality OF the natives. They are, too re-
markably temperate. During my stay in the
Islands | never saw an intoxicated native
They have grown up in the shadow OF the
great Catholic churches there and are Won
derfully devout."
General Arthur Macarthur has written n
letter from the Philippines expressing his
pleasure at learning that the Wisconsin mill
tary camp this year was named in his honor.
Long absence from home" he says has
operated to create an intense attachment for
the state l represent in the service of the
republic"
Colonel j. L. Torrey the author of the
bankruptcy law and later the commander of
regiment of Rough Riders, found among
mis- troopers two young men in whom he has
| taken great interest. One OF them. Charles
! Blake of Sand Creek, Wyo., he has sent to
| the Kansas State university for the full col
| legiate course. To the other, Truman Fox
OF Sundance. Wyo., he has given S., 900 for a
course In art, to be begun in st. Louis and
| finished In London
GOVERNMENT AND SUBSIDIES.