Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1900-12-06
ROOTS STATEMENT.
The Secretary of War Makes His
Annual Report.
WEAT THE ARMY HAS Been DOING
Other subjects Treated Are the Philippine
InsurrectiOr, the Chinese Campaign
and the Developments In Cuba
and Porto Rec.


and Porto Rice.
Washington, Dec. 4.-The annua
report of Secretary Root is of NOR
than usual interest owing TO its wild
scope and the fact that it treats 0
subjects of such Importance as tn
Philippine insurrection, the Chimes
campaign, the developments in Cub
and Porto Rico and finally, with tn
subject of army reorganization. Som
idea of what the army has been doinI
in the field and at home is conveyed
by the secretary's statement that it
operations include the prosecution o
the war for the suppression of thu
Philippine insurrection and the estab
lishment of a government in the Phil
ippines, the rescue of the foreign
ministers in pekin the preservation
and the relief of distress in Alaskt
and the construction of roads ant
telegraphs there; the conduct of the
government Of Porto Rico until May
last; the conduct of the govern
ment of Cuba; prosecution of river
and harbor works; the construction
of seacoast Notifications; the garri.
soning and maintaining of military
posts and fortitcations; the discharge
of about one-third of the army and
the re-enlistment of soldiers to take
their place, and the distribution OF
supplies to the scattered forces.
The chapter of the report treating
of military operations in the Phil
ippines is a recital of the features
of the campaigns that were con-
Quoted in the islands during the past
year. 1t is said that the purpose was
to pursue the small bands Of Filipinos
scattered throughout the islands.
The effort was successful and re-
suited in the further and practically
complete disintegration of the insur-
rectionary bands; in the rescue of
nearly all the American and Spanish
prisoners; in the capture OF many Of
the leading insurgents and the de-
struction Of large quantities Of arms
and supplies. Secretary Root says
that with the execution of the mill
tary plans there, all formal and open
resistance to American authority in
the Philippines terminated, leaving
only an exceedingly vexatlous and an
noying guerrilla warfare, of charac-
ter closely approaching brigandage,
which will require time, patience and
good judgment to finally suppress.
Touching Cuba the report says that
the conduct of affairs there during
the year has been a continuance of
the process of aiding the Cuban peo-
pie in the development of the Cuban
government in such way chat, when
fully organized it shall be stable and
efficient. This has been done by
guiding the Cubans in the first steps
of systematic self-government, and by
introducing, mainly through Cuban
officers, such reforms in administra-
ton as shall serve to put the bust
ness of government in fairly good con-
dition when a complete Cuban ad-
ministration finally assumes control
of the government of the island. The
report describes the taking of the
census and the beginning of munich
pal elections. 1t explains that in
view of the fact thAe66 per cent.
could not read and write it was not
deemed advisable that absolutely UNI
restricted suffrage should be estab-
lished. The report sketches the va
rious steps in the creation of the
government down to the gathering of
the constitutional convention, which
is now in session.
In Porto Rico, where the army con-
trolled up to, the first of May, its
principal function was the improve
ment of the civil administration, ac-
customing the people to the exercise
of the powers of government and con-
tinuing the work of relief made neces-
sary by the deplorable condition in
which the island had been left by the
great hurricane. The secretary ac-
cepts as his own Gen. Davis state
ment as to the creditable way in
which the army discharged the trust
committed to it in Porto Rico. and
probation of the devotion, judgment,
good temper and ability exhibited by
Gen. Davis.
The report treats Alaskan condi-
tions briefly, the main point of in
terest in that connection being the
recommendation that moderate ap-
be made for the relief of
the native Esquimaux who are af-
ficted by series of fatal epidemics
and are in danger Of determination.
1t is said that several hundred white
miners, unsuccessful and impover-
ished, who might have persisted dur
ing the arctic winter were brought
home on government transports. But
the principle is a,bad one and notice
is given that the war department
does not intend again to furnish such