The San Francisco call., 1899-10-15


was spent at the tables by the. guests
from Montana and Kansas. Inc ladies or
pleted the task they had undertaken by
waiting on the boys and convincing them
that nowhere, except perhaps in their
home place, can any city extend a warmer
welcome to volunteers than Oakland
While there was plenty left upon the
tables the two thousand appetites were
satisfied and at the call of bugle Chair
man p. NJ. Fisher of the entertainment
committee and president of the day, well
coined the guests. In few words he
introduced Mayor Snow, who on behalf of
the city guaranteed the boys all the free
dom during their visit that the laws of
the country and the forbearanCe of in
dividuals would permit. In his speech the
you have advanced our flag. gallant
boys of Montana and Kansas. until the
center of the United States is no longer
your State but California If when you
return to the East you find the old home
stead crowded come and live with us. You
have made US better men by your pa
triotic example in war. You can make us
better citizens by living with US and help
ing us to solve the problems of peace"
The Mayor was succeeded by. ex-Mayor
W. r. Thomas, who presided oyer the
pleasant ceremonies attending the last
visit of the Montana volunteers.
ION your last visit you fought for our
diversion a sham battle" said Captain
more in earnest even at that time, for
their gallant colonel came over to our city
and there was no sham battle about the
advances he made. Nor did he capitulate
until he had captured. Let me warn you
that you are a long distance from home
and as our Oakland lady scouts are on
duty more of you may be captured as
was Colonel Funston.
The little general from Kansas was re-
ferred to by Chairman Fisher and in
stantlv nothing could be heard from
.loo 1c Of 'EllnStOnf
ston! Funstonw He was introduced by
the chairman as a man brave enough to
swim a stream, climb mountain in the
face of a gum and yet timid enough when
he came 10 Oakland to surrender to one
of her fairest citizens.
When General Funston appeared there
were cries for his wife and Miss Mollie
Connors was appointed a committee of
one to escort the lady to the platform.
The general apologized for not having
a speech ready. He would not talk on the
issues of the war he said, but would con-
fine himself to sincerely thanking the peo-
pie of Oakland for the reception rendered
his old regiment, the Twentieth Kansas.
The general paid high compliment to
the Montana regiment and told how the
Twentieth Kansas and the Third Artil-
lery had fought from Manila on the 4th
of March Until side by side they entered
Malolos.
"Such men as these" said the general,
eff given an opportunity, can crush Ag-
uinaldo's little rebellion, and there are
i
expect that about March or April there
will be a settlement of the Philippine
question.
"There has been a great deal of talk
about mismanagement of the campaign.
"Those who are saying most know the
least. l want to say that there never
was an army better housed, better fed,
that army Which is now fighting under ifel-
the flag in the Philippines. The hospital
service is SO, good that within three
hours, especially, if on the line of the rail-
road, do not elapse before wounded
man is receiving the attention of sur
geons. Out of 1900 wounded limbs there
was not one single case Of primitive am
of secondary amputation. In the Civil
War, out Of 1900 cases there were 500
who lost their limbs.
1.-The war. I think. will end about
April. The light artillery now in the field
do not have to drag their guns through
the rice fields. There Is now an ample
transport service.
II hope no man will allow himself to
become a professional old soldier. I
hope that he will not run for office. but
go to the old business which he left
that there is no truth In the saying, oh,
he's been q year and half in the army
and he's no good (Cheers.)
Il am proud to say. that OF the 1000
Hongkong with their pockets full of
money after a stay of seven days in
place which was full of saloons not one
of them was seen drunk upon the
streets" (Cheers)
After the cheering following General
Funstons remarks had supsded there
were loud demands for a speech from his
wife. Chairman Fisher said 1t was very
ungallant of thousands of soldiers to de-
mand a speech from a woman, but never
theless Mrs. Funston gratifed the de-
mand.
Il am thankful" she said, ito the peo-
pie OF this city for the honor they have
conferred upon me and the kindness they
here in Oakland and pass the time here
with my husband. At present that is the
only thing l sincerely wish for But /
cannot say where my time shall De
spent"
Chaplain Stull was charged with the
duty of representing Colonel Kessler of
the Montana regiment, who was unavoid-
ably kept in San Francisco. He corrob-
Grated General Funston's statement that
he had never made speech. But" said
the chaplain, II once heard the general
say something more forcble and effective
than all the speeches l ever heard in my
life. He cried Forward, and for the re-
suit of that one word consult the history
the war in the Philippines
General Shafter was introduced and
asked to add to the words of welcome.
1T will be source Of qualification to
you as years roll by" said the general,
that, although you were entitled to your
discharge by reason Of your time of serv-
ice having expired, you remained in the
ranks because your country needed you.