The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-12-02
omoers. En- n

Inc transportation OF SQcn large pod
les of troops between Manila and the
United States has made necessary the
creation of a large fleet of ocean trans
ports, and the great length of the voy
age has required the exercise of special
care in the sanitary arrangements and
provisions for ventilation, cleanliness,
and comfort. The experience acquired
since the commencement of the war
with Spain in April, $685. has enabled
the quartermaster's department to
make steady improvement in these re-
spects, and it is gratifying to note that
the entire movement has been accom-
plishei practically without loss of life,
disease or injury to health.
On the goth of November we had eight
vessels owned by the United States en-
gagged in the transportation of troops
and freight between the United States
and the Philippines; % vessels char
tered and fitted up by us engaged in the
same service, and IS vessels chartered
and fitted up by us engaged in the
transportation of animals, forage and
freight, making a total transport fleet
in the Philippine service of 81 steam
vessels.
The cost of returning the prisoners
from the Philippines incurred during
the past year has amounted to $685.
5S975
The food supplied to the army during
the year has been of good quality and
has been furnished promptly. Special
attention has been paid to securing ra-
lions suited as far as possible to a trop-
ical climate. Tests have been made Of
emergency ratiOns affording high de-
gree of nourishment in small compass,
and not easily spoiled, and a combina-
ton recently adopted seems to be Civ
ing satisfaction in the Philippines.
~ H.
Importance of direct cable communica-
ton between the United States and the
Philippine Islands, Our present tele-
graphic communication is by way of
England, France, Egypt, India and
China The cable tolls of the war de-
partment messages alone to and from
the Philippines for the last five months
have averaged $27, HAP monthly, a rate
of over $325,000 a year. The commune
cation would have been much more ex-
tensive and frequent had it not been
limited by the great cost to the most
important messages.
thorough investigation recently
made by Great Britain preparatory to
the laying of a trans-Pacific cable be-
tween British Columbia and Australia
STA, has demonstrated beyond question
the practicability not only of the cable
proposed by Great Britain, and for
which bids are now being received, but
of a cable between California and the
Philippines via Hawaii, Wake Island
and Guam. The length of such a cable
would be 1893 miles, as against 1886
miles for the proposed British cable,
and the cost is estimated by the United
States signal office as not exceeding
SS,500,000 at the present market rate
for material.
If the intermediate landing between
Hawaii and Guam be made at Midway
island instead of Wake island, the route
would be some 125 miles longer, but it
would give a batter station and would
avoid the greatest ocean depth encoun-
tered on the other route.
The value and Importance of secur-
ing during the time of peace, informa-
ton as to the capacity and fitness OF
civilians instructed in military affairs
and available for volunteer commits
sions, cannot be overestimated. 1t wa:
well illustrated by the great advantage
which we had il appointing the officers
of the presen: volunteer force by rea'
son of having in the war department
the efficiency records of their service
during the var with Spain. Without
some such information, all names are
alike.
The foregoing considerations bring t.
mind the military academy at West
Point The capacity of the academy
is not sufficient for the present needs
of the army on a peace footing. II
will be far more deficient for the army
with the absolutely necessary increase
Preparations for the greater army
which we should be ready to create, in
case of future war, should be made
our experience during the past two
years has shown that we had not toe
many trained officers, but too few, botf
In the staff and III the line, and both
ought to be increased. l urgently rec
ommend that the capacity of the acad-