Middletown transcript., 1900-04-21
M1DDLErowN. DEL. APRIL 81. 1900.
aua EoRelen POSSESSIONS.

tical Sympatny gwen inc HlliPl
nos and the Cubans by the parti-
san opponents Of the govern.
ment-the party in power-has
prolonged the wars and cost valu-
able lives and much money rs
true. Yet a comparison of the
South African War and the Span
ish-American War shows less
losses for our soldiers, though
the charges have been otherwise.
AS to the British showing, the
statement covers the returns
from October IL to April Z, near
" six months. There were 3O9
officers and 3,944 men killed in
action, by accident or by wounds
and disease. There were set
down as missing and as prisoners
1853 officers and 1922 men, and
2se officers and 4,934 men were
invalided home, making the to.
tai British losses, exclusive OF
sick and wounded in the hospitals
in South Africa, 765 officers and
1900 men. It is estimated that
nearly 10000 officers and men are
sick and wounded in the hospi-
tails, showing a loss in effective
strength since the beginning of
the war of about $4,000 men.
The number of wounded is not
stated.
In the war with Spain the
American Army lost by death
107 officers and 2,8O3 men.
There were wounded 115 officers
and / ,464 men.
Only 12 per cent of the Ameri-
can death rate resulted from
wounds or occurred in battle,
while the corresponding rate for
the British Army was 6S.l8 per
cent. The War Departments
statement reads as follows, in
conclusions
The conditions, both military
and climatic, under which the
campaigns we're carried on were
so different that it is difficult to
make any comparisons. The
American campaigns were car.
ried on in the tropics in midsum.
mer, the most unfaverable sea-
SOD of the year. The diseases
most prevalent were tropical
fevers. The climate in the
theatre of operations in South
Africa is remarkably healthy.
There was much sickness at
Ladysmith, but that was due to
siege conditions, and not to eli
mate. In the American cam
paigns the clothing worn was as
light as possible. Lord Roberts
has sent from Bloetnfontein for
warmer clothing for his Army
on account Of the threatened pre-.
valence Of pneumonia.
Charles Herbert Allen, Assist.
ant Secretary of the Navy, has
gone to Porto Rico as the first
civil governor. His executive
ability displayed in the Navy
Department is guarantee of his
success in the difficult Office he
has accepted.
The second Philippine Com.
mission appointed by the Presi-
dent left San Francisco Monday
last for Manila on the transport
Hancock, which, with a few days
stay at Honolulu for coal, should
land her passengers at their des-
tination about the middle of MAY.
The army authorities have placed
all the accommodations of the
vessel at the disposition Of the
Commissioners for their voyage
except the cargo spaces, which
are loaded with stores and sup
plies for the 60, 200 troops in the
islands. Advantage has been
taken by them of thus having a
large steamer exclusively for
their accommodation to take
their families and a large clerical
staff, thus indicating their expec-
tation of protracted stay in the
new possessions. The Commis-
sioners expect to hold daily ses-
sions on the outward passage,
and to reach Manila prepared
promptly to begin their efforts to |
establish civil administration in |
those parts of Luzon where such
a form of government appears
most practicable.
The Commission consists of |
Judge William II. Taft, of Ohio;
General Luke E Wright, of Ten. |
nessee; Professor Dean G. Wor-
cester, of Michigan; Henry G.
Ide, of Vermont, and Bernard |
Moses, of California. Judge Taft
Professor Worcester and General |
Wright are accompanied by their
wives. Mrs. Wright is q daugh- |
ter Of the late Admiral Semmes, |