Iron County register., 1899-12-07
ROOT GIVES his IDEAS.
Many Suggestions Are Made by the
Secretary OF War I'm His An
nual Report.

Washington, Dec 2-The annual repore
public Friday. The first half Is devoted 10
the operation of the army in the Pniilp-
pines, Cuba and Porto Rico. the report
gives a full history of the military opera
tions in the Philippines from August La
1898, up to the present time. An impor-
tant feature of the report is a comprehen-
sive outline of plan OF government lor
Porto Rico. It is understood that Presi-
dent Mckinley is in entire accord witn osc-
retary Root on this question, ano tnat tne
plan outlined by the secretary VIII pe the
identical plan which the president VIII rec
ommend to congress in his annual messase-
Concerning the plan Of government pro-
posed for Porto Rico, Secretary ROOT cleeS
the Paris treaty, which provioes tnal - .s
gress shall determine the civil rights aiio
political status of the natives or the @ @.elIi.
tory ceded to this government The scneino
outlined includes a definite declaration ~
congress of what American laws are 10 DC
made applicable to the Porto RicanS' toi
lowing which it is recommended that
federal judiciary be established.
The form of inSular government proposes
provides for the appointment or goVernoI
by the president, to be confirmed by tne
senate; the chief officers of state customary
under our system, and a legislative councn
to be composed of the chief officers OF STATE
and a minority selected from the peopie oi
the island by the president All acts Oh TUG
COuLCu are 10 De SuDJcCl " ZIG 'Se~ -
Of the governor and to be passed over tne
veto by a two-thirds vote. No law IS 10
become effective u til it has remained WITH
out this approval for 80 days after Its pres
entation to congress or the president. IL Is
suggested that voting right should be I'M
tied to those who read and write or VINO
own a small amount of property
The secretary considers it too early TO es-
tablish a local legislature, giving the IN,
habitants the franchise only in municipai
affairs.
Abolition of the duties between the Unit
ed States and Porto Rico is recommended.
The report cites IN brief the history of the
military operations in the Philippines
Porto Rico and Cuba during the fiscal year
erGied June 80, 1899. Relief work in all three
places is dilated upon. The transport serv-
ice, it is stated, includes 81 steam trans
ports, with a saving in work done over or
binary commercial rates of $501 900. The re-
moval of the dead from Cuba and similar
work contemplated from the Philippines is
touched upon.
An increased and reorganized regular
army, with many new and novel features
in the system involved, is earnestly recon-
mended. Radical changes. which contem-
plate the betterment of the service in
every department are proposed. The
changes in the army organization and the
increase proposed are in the first instance
specified particularly, while in the second
no definite statement is made except as
to artillery. The present artillery force is
present strength. The increase in officers
and enlisted men is to be sufficient to man
the equipment in the seacoast fortifica-
tions, besides providing for the other
branches of the service.
In order that there may be a more gen.
eral dispensatfon of military knowledge to
officers both of the regular army and the
national guards, the latter of whom it is
intended to bring into closer touch with
the federal authorities, it is also proposed
fo establish p0l1aCa This inSfifn.
tion is to be in charge of staff headed by
the major general commanding. Experts
are to be detailed for such service for
stated periods. Likewise staff appoint
ments are to run for a specified time, after
which the officer whose term of service as
such appointee expires must serve one year
in the line before being eligible for stan
selection.
The secretary recommends the enlarge
ment of West Point military academy and
an increase in the number of cadets to be
admitted annually. Especial attention is
to be paid to the artillery branch of the
service in that institution and in the army.
A ranking officer of artillery Is recommend
ed. there being no such officer now.
The regular army now numbers 81 ,999 en-
listed men and 2,24S officers, making a total
Of 64,247, and volunteer force numbering
S005O enlisted men and ,524 officers, making
a total of 81, 574 The deaths from all causes,
including casualties in action, for the Il
months from May, 1898, to June, 1899 in
elusive, were b,6IS. Inc deaths from disease
from all causes were at an annual death
rate of but 25.6S per thousand.
Estimates of the cost of maintenance for
the fiscal year ending June 30, 1900, are as
follows:
Civil establishment 81. .9S7. .0S
Support of the army and military
Fortifications and river and har-
bor improvements ................. 80, 400, SIG
MlsceHaneous -...-..-,......-......: 5,196,799
A net deficiency appropriation of $160OO,-
600 is asked for.
The secretary declares in favor of a cable
from the United States to the Philippines.
via Hawaii and Guam.
Among his other recommendations is one
that Gen. Shafter be retired, with the full
rank Of major general.
The continuance of the river and harbor
work now under contract it
is announced, will cost SIS 4S6, ,6266S
monument to Gen. Grant, to be erected
in Washington, is also recommended, as is
a memorial bridge extending from the cap
ital city to Arlington, where the national
cemetery is located. 1t is also recommend
ed that S65, COO be appropriated for purchase
of the ground for battlefield park covered
by the battle ground of Fredericksburg,
Salem Church, Charlottesville, the Will
derness and Spottsylvania Courthouse.