The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-11-17

moted from first-class sergeant after his
arrival in China) and about twenty five en-
listed men OF the Signal Corps.
The telegraph lines and Signal Corps
work connected with the Military Di-
vision of Cuba have remained throughout
the year in charge of Col. II. II. C. Dun
woody. Signal Corps. who was assigned
to this important duty iii December. 1898,
and under whom the telegraph system OF
Cuba has been developed to q high degree
of efficiency. Colonel Dunwoody's inter
esting annual report is printed in full as
an appendix to the report of the com
manding general, Military Division Of
Cuba. In consequence, the Chief Signal
Officer of the Army confines himself to a
brief resume OF operations of the Signal
Corps in Cuba, supplemented by extracts
from reports (Appendix 81 made by Col
onel Dunwoody under paragraph l5i1,
Army Regulations on matters OF current
interest or special Importance.
Work Done in Cuba.
las pointed out in previous reports. The
first action taken in Cuba was to con
struct a military telegraph line of a tenn
porary character, so as to promptly place
Mai. Gen. John r. Brooke. the command
ing general in direct communication with
the garrisOns on the island This labor
was performed by the Signal Corps Of the
Army. and at the expense of the United
States. Such energy and application
were shown under Colonel Dunwoody's
direction as resulted in the establish
mcnt, within less than three and one-half
months. of telegraph line from Havana
to Santiago The system was shortly
afterward extended east and west, so that
telegraphic communication was had from
Baracoa. the extreme eastern end OF the
island, TO San Juan Martinez, at the
western end. The line was scarcely up
before the entire Signal Corps force in
Cuba--a body of able, energetic. and
skilled volunteers-was disband~d and re-
placed by recruits enlisted in the regular
Signal Corps. Large Withdrawals OF
skilled men, and the heavy rains Of the
wet season Immediately following caused
more or less line Interruptions between
Havana and Santiago. The native line
men, who were necessarily employed to
replace the Signal Corps men. by their
incompetency and Indifference, contribu-
ted to the inefficient working of the line.
The rainy season over. Colonel Dunwoody
took active steps to correct this condition
of affairs. Capt. Samuel Reber. Signal
Corps. made general superintendent of
the lines inspected the whole system
from Havana to Santiago. located defects.
and indicated remedies. Capt. Carl f.
Hartmann, signal officer, Department of
Santiago initiated system CT repairs in
his department calculated to remove the
unfortunate results arising from the
heterogeneous collection of telegraph
wires of different gauges and material.
which arose from the urgent necessity of
throwing into one circuit. Immediately
after the surrender of Santiago. all field
and permanent lines. Later. this work
was continued with skill and energy by
his successor, Lieut. John J. Ryan
THE operations of the Signal Corps IN
Porto Rico are shown by the report of
Major William A. Glassford, signal officer
of volunteers. which is published as
a part of the report of Brig. Gen. George
w. Davis. commanding the department.
The Porto Rican telegraph system, when
received from Spain by the Signal Corps
of the Army at the time of the transfer
of the island to the United States. was IN
exceedingly bad condition, and could al
most be likened to the effected railway.
which consisted OF streak of rust and
right of way. Through the energetic ef-