Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-03-17
THE WAR IN LUZON
Gen Otis Wants to Enlist Filipinos il
Regimental Bands.
Purchase of Another Army Transport
departure of the Sumner-SmalI.
pOx On the Newark.

Inc adjutant general received a telegram
this morning from General Otis, asking au-
thority to enlist F'ilipinos as members of
the regimental bands in the Philippines.
They are music loving people and their
enlistment in the army is considered good
policy. Consequently General Otis will be
authorized to enlist as many as are needed
for the regimental bands
General Otis has issued an order rescind-
ing instructions heretofore issued from the
headquarters of the Department of the Pa
ciflc, permitting the employment of Chi
nese as litter or burden bearers for troops
in the field or on the march. All Chinese
employed in that capacity will be dis
charged from the service
General Otis has also revoked the order
allowing the expenditure of a SPECIFIC
amount OF money from the public civil fund
for the purchasesof special diet for the
reglmental sick, no advantage having been
taken of the allowance.
The War Department has purchased from
the North American Mail Steamship Conn
pany the steamship Columbia for use as
transport In the Pacific. The Columbia
mad been chartered by the army transport
service from last August up to a short time
ago, when she was released. She is now in
San Francisco harbor.
Departure of the Sumner
Captain Davis of the quartermaster's de-
partment, in charge Of the transport Sum-
near has telegraphed the quartermaster
general that the Sumner will leave the
Norfolk navy yard today for the purpose of
adjusting her compass in Hampton Roads,
and will arrive in New York Monday morn
ing. Colonial Bellinger, in charge of the
transport branch of the quartermaster gen.
erai S once, has gone to New York city for
the purpose of inspecting the Summer and
expediting her preparation for the trip to
Manila. In case 1t is found possible ;he.
vessei VIII start on her long voyage be-
lore the CLOSE OF next week. She will carry
about LOO recruits now assembled at Fort
Slocum, New York, who are needed to fiji
vacancies IN the regular regiments in the
Philippines.
smallpox on the Newark
The Navy Department has been advised
that ten cases of smallpox have been dis
covered on board the cruiser Newark
among the crew of that vessel. The sldn
arrived at Cavite on January 81, after a
cruise through the Philippine Islands. The
discovery was made by the surgeons, who
were prompt in taking effective measures
against the spread of the dread disease
The gunboat Mindanao was converted into
a hoat1ng hospital and the patients re-
moved to her. Latest accounts from Ad-
nnral watson indicate that the surgeons
nave the situation well in hand
Surgeons Going to Manila,
Maj. Edward 7. Comegys surgeon. U. s.
A., has been ordered. upon the completion
of his duties relative to the medical supply
depot at Savannah, Ga, to proceed to San
Francisco for temporary duty Upon COM
pleting the same he will take passage for
Manila for duty in the Philippines.
Capt. Charles E. B. Flagg, assistant sur
geon, U. s. A. has been relieved from fur
ther duty at San Francisco, Cal, and or
dered to Fort Grant, Arizona. to relieve
Maj. Edwin P. Gardner, surgeon. u S. A.
Maj. Gardiner will then proceed to San
Francisco for temporary duty, upon the
completion of which he will take passage
for Manila for duty in the PhiHppines