Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-11-17

connection with the seacoast Notifications
in the more important harbors.
The report shows that the telegraph Serv-
Ice in Cuba is more satisfactory than ever
before, and is conducted at a greatly
duced tariff from that charged under Span
ish rule. The most important work of the
signal corps. however, like that Of the
army, has been in the Philippine Islands.
Gen. Greedy approves the recommended
ton Of the commanding general in Alaska
for cable from Skagway to Valdez and
from Skagway to Seattle, passing outside
of Vancouver and Queen Charlotte Islands
to avoid international complications. This
would comprise about 1850 miles of tele-
graph and would cost about $4,000. He
regards the connections as absolutely neCeS-
sary for use of the government in Alaska.
Work of the Men Praised.
Gen. Greedy highly compliments the en-
listed men Of the signal corps, speaking
of their efficiency, intelligence, character
and ability. Although the corps is called
non-combatant, he refers to the fact that
In the Philippines for the past year the
percentage of strictly war casualties ex-
ceeded that of the army whole. OF
a force Of 302 there have been killed.
wounded and captured. IL men.
In connection with the proposed Amerl-
can Pacific cable Gen. Greedy calls atten-
ton to international cable regulations. and
saws that the various points brought to
notice by the Spanish-American war could
be referred to international cable con-
ference. The British empire proposes to
construct submarine cables costing &'o,Uo,-
900, and other countries are also making
use of cables very extensively. He re-
news his recommendation for the American
cable from the United States to the Phil
ippine Islands.
Experimental Work.
He says excellent results have been
shown in wireless telegraphy, but adds that
the system has its limitations, not entirely
dependent on distance alone. Experimental
work has also been conducted In connection
with automobiles of which three with cleo
trcty as motive power have been pur-
chased by the signal corps. One has been
sent to the Philippines with view to test
ing it practically in the field. While the
conditions of the signal corps are such as
to render the use of electrical power most
advisable, yet owing to the difficulty of re-
charging the batteries in the held IL seems
probable that portion at least OF arm!
automobiles must be those dependent on
another motive power than electricity.
REORGANIZATION Wanted.
According to General Greedy the present
organization of the signal corps is entirely
unsatisfactory, it being deficient in the
number of regular officers and men. while
it also lacks proper organization for Its en-
listed men. He favors a reorganization on
a plan similar to that Of the corps of en-
gineers in its relation to the line of the
army, Based on an estimated army Of
5000 men, he says, the corps should con-
sist of ten companies, each of thirty pri-
Yates in peace and ninety in war. with the
usual ratio of non-commissioned officers.
The command should devolve on one briga-
der general, two colonies. three lieutenant
colonies, four majors, fourteen captains and
fourteen first lieutenants. The necessity OF
a company organization, General Greedy
SAYS, was demonstrated by the campaigns
in the Philippines.