Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-10-27

erly perform the REQUIRED duties, and a.
| most of the stations the old, arduous rou
| tine of day on and day off is still continued
| 1t is hoped, however, that the corps viii
soon be recruited to its full authorized
strength and that these conditions will be
changed accordingly.
1t Is intended to establish known dis
lance target ranges within convenient dis
lance of each station of the marine corps
where 1t Is possible to do so, as the expe
Renee of the past has shown that the good
effects of careful training in the gallery
followed by practice on the range cannot
be overestimated. As yet facilities fol
been obtained at a few stations only. The
difficulty of securing such ranges has beer
enhanced by the adoption of the Lee rifle
as the fact of its having far longer range
than the Springfield causes 1t to be con-
sidered unsafe to the public when used on
most Of the ordinary ranges
Conspicuous Service Rendered.
During the severe storm of October 2
1898, at Port Royal, s. c., the marines at
that station rendered conspicuous and COM
mendable service in saving and protecting
government property. and also in helping
women and children whose houses were
partially submerged by the tide. The Ser
vices rendered by the marine guard sent
from Washington city to the Omaha ex-
position We're highly commended by the
board of managers of the exposition. The
marines acted as a special guard to the
chief executive on the occasion of his visit
to the exposition, October II. $685.
On the occasion of the fire at Fort Pick
ems, Fla, June 20 last, caused by the explo-
sion of a magazine, a detachment of ma
rineS was sent from Pensacola, Fla, under
command of Lieutenant Neumann, and did
valuable and hazardous service in suppress
ing the confiagration.
The report makes special reference to
the good work performed by the marines
in action in the Philippines and in Samoa,
TT,,t+ fi,,,, IN
China and also in more peaceful pursuits
in Cuba, Porto Rico, Guam and Alaska
Marines in the Philippines.
Col. Pope. commanding the marines at
the naval station, Cavite, Philippine Islands,
reports that the work of improving the
post has progressed steadily, and that the
health of the command IS excellent, the
sick list being less than half # one per
cent
Drills, parades and the regular routine
are proceeded with as far as permitted by
climatic conditions, and the men are being
thoroughly drilled with the 3-inch field
pieces and the Colts automatic guns. 1t
has been impracticable to establish target
practce as yet on account of the rains,
which Col. Pope reports as heavier than
ever before known there.
Inc two battalions sent to Cavite were
composed of young, vigorous, healthy men,
VINO We're nearly all volunteers for the
uuIy. Although some OF tnem nad been
but short time in the service, they were
all well instructed in the use of the rifle,
and 1t Is predicted that If they have an OPP
portunity they will give a good account of
themselves in action and reflect great
credit upon the marine corps.
Inc Two battaliOnS at Cavite have an ag
gregate strength of % marine officers 2
medical officers of the navy and GA enlisted
men. On the ships of the Asiatic station
there are D marine officers and 272 enlisted
men OF the corps, making a grand total of
members OF the marine corps of 80 officers
and 9l6 enlisted men the station.
Gen. Haywood says there are now Ala
aliens In the corps. and of these 326 have
declared their intention to become citizens,
" live in the United States and have not
declared their intention to become citizens,
and none claim foreign residence There
are ~ men on duty at the various shore
stations, 1,36S on board ships and SO4 on
foreign service.
The Civil Force.
AS the civil force at marine Headquarters
has, by executive order, been placed under
civil service rules, Gen. Haywood recon-
mends Encouragement of salaries to cor
respond with those received by clerks in
the other departments of the government
performing like duties. The chief clerks of
the various offices, he says should be
1oufth-class clerks, and receive the same
pay allowed the chief clerks of the various
oHces IN the departments; and the second
and third clerks employed here should he
Inc sums received now by these men are
odd in fgures being established MANY
years ago. and are unlike those In any
other department.