The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-12-02
A FAMOUS FORGER THEIR LIVES RUINED
Men in Philippines Wrecked
in Body and Mind.
Army Reorganization Plans Confronted by Ser
ious Obstacles. The Republ cans
Growing Weary.
lsnecial ID Baltimore sun.

Especial 10 Baltimore SUM
Washington, Nov. 2o.-Well authentica-
ted reports received here from private
sources tell of the alarming increase of
mental and physical disorders among the
United Sattes military and naval forces
in the Philippines. Nearly, If not all of
these cases, OF course, must come under
the official cognizance of the War and
Navy Departments, but naturally there is
no great eagerness displayed to make the
information public.
Several times the Government officials
have considered it necessary to endeavor
TO refute the statements of the spread OF
insanity among the troops, and doubtless
the reports may have been somewhat eX-
aggerated. But that the terrible climate
of the Philippines, the dependency pro-
duced by inconsistencies and the continued
experience of dealing with a foe fighting
only from ambush has shattered both the
mental and physical systems of officers
and men cannot be disproved or concealed.
Officers of both the army and the navy,
who went from here in the full yigor OF
health not many months ago. are broken
down in body and are almost imbeciles.
SENT HOME QUIETLY.
Nothing has been said about it, but
some of them are now being brought home
to their sorrowing families. 1t is very
pretty to talk about a soldiers duty and
a soldiers pride. and it is very pretty
TO read the eloquent fights of the expan-
sion statesmen and orators who discourse
on the subject ct the long range distance
of eight to ten thousand miles. Every
now and then also the country is favored
with extracts from the letters OF some
fire eating soldier in the Philippines who
is as one in thousand. At the same time
the President and the War and Navy
Departments are fully aware almost the
entire body of our forces in the Philip
pines would be glad to come home today
if they had the sanction of superior au-
thority so to do. The strongest social
ard personal influence is constantly exer-
ted TO secure a homeward order for Off
GERS in the Philippines. and the Presi-
dent himself is frequently appealed to.
Not one of these appeals is needed eX
cent in the cases where the pitiable con-
dition of the officer renders him mentally
incapable.
NO ONE DESIRES TO GO.
One Of the highest Government officials
said last evening no officer could possibly
be permitted 10 come home who is able
TO attend to his duties. In the first flush
of the Philippine business there was some
anxiety among regular army officers for
service out there, but. as a matter Of
fact, it was never very enthusiastic. for
the regulars had much keener insight
into the holowness Of the thing than the
volunteers. Now not only is there abso-
lutte absence of any desire for service in
the Philippines. but at the slightest init
nation that any particular officer may be
ordered there every pull" known to so
ciety and politics is put in operation TO
save him.
The bride held out TO officers of the
regular army of a prospectively much
higher rank in the volunteers worked for
a while, but this charm is said to have
lost its power. A very stiff upper lip
is KEEP up. but those in authority have
Grievous misgivings as to how the troops
in the Philippines will be replaced when
their term of service expires.
Republican of prominence one who
has always been an ardent expansionist
and still shows no lukewarmness. has
near relatives in the army whom he does
not want to go to the Philippines. He is
a type of many others
VERY FEW WILL VOLUNTEER.
There is much discussion Just now on
the army bill-what ought to be the num-
Der of men enlisted, the term of service,
etc II by any peradventure the Philip
pine rebels should lay down their arms
en- masse it would be different. But IL
the instruction continues at its present
magnitude it will not be of much account
what the figures are fixed at; there will
be no volunteers worth speaking Of to go
to what is vertically the valley OF dis
ease and death.
1t is claimed the people of the United
States have put their Endorsement upon
expansion and Imperialism Very we'll
we will see whether the people will back
their votes with their bodies. This is
what the Republican leaders are appre-
hensive of, and they evince il in all their
utterances. II would be not fair or prop
err to give names. but since the first Tues
day in November not one but dozen at
least of men high up in Republican coun-
ellis have expressed in my presence thir
earnest wish there was some credtabIe
way to get out of the whole Philippine
business. f. A. r.