The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-01-20
HELP FOR AMERICAN SOLDIERS.
Why Are the Many Neglected and
the Few Alone ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Regulars and the Volunteers.

major r. II. Savage, in the Home Journal)
Allow one of your constant readers to
suggest a home relief fund for the assist
ance of deserving American officers end
soldiers crippled or disabled in the Spanish
war and Philippine rebellion. and for the
sorely needed help OF the families OF those
who have met death in field or hospital.
The bitterness OF long winter is yet be-
fore us, and serious fighting in the south
of Luzon Will undoubtedly furnish many
more cases calling for practical sympathy.
This suggestion is due to an announced
intention to raise funds by popular sub
scription and the generosity OF the theatre
going public for the relief Of British SOL
diers. Approaching all generous impulses,
still II do here perceive divided duty.
| know that some regard the Spanish war
rs useless, and the suppression OF the
Philippine rebellion as unpopular; and as
an American / feel that there may be
similar sentiments regarding the British
inroad upon South Africa England. we
know. is amply able to sustain and relieve
its own, and while all are OF course free
to give as they choose, 1t may be hoped
that for every dollar exported in military
charity tenfold will be contributed at
home for our own military and civil relief
1t is only because organized effort Is
made to draw supposedly surplus moneys
away from the United States that venture
to set up few reasons for the movement
to help the American soldier, rank and
file. All those who know the simple facts
are aware that the second winter has pro-
dueed much suffering among our sick and
enfeebled Spanish war veterans. Very few
of them, as yet, owing to the careful de-
LAYS of the Pension Office. have received
any pensions. and most OF them lost their
situations on returning from the short war
Hundreds are permanently united for hard
labor. As one who commanded battalion
and faced the hardships OF Camp Wikon
and diseases incident to the first occupation
of Cuba (outside OF Santiago), / claim
thirty-five years knowledge OF the needs
OF the soldier and his family. There is no
general service pension for the Spanish
war, and our hastily equipped volunteers
who so brayely served Overtime" in the
Philippines are wandering, weakened, and
many OF them insane. around the far
West There has been nothing done for
these two classes of officers and soldiers,
and the regulars always suffer in a proud
silence. AS rule, the junior officers
family gets only $40 a month, and that
after long delays. 1t is true that our SOL
diers are easily satished-that they are
manly and spirited and not absent mind
ed heggars" The rural districts are hes
pitable to the returning veterans. but the
business communities, the great cities, the
country at large, in fact. has lost its en-
thusasm, and in the rush OF daily life the
deserving soldier and his family are soon
forgotten. The patriotic outburst which
gave cigars and champagne to the Rough
Riders and pies and stogies to the Seventy
first has subsidized.
General Lawton's memory and heroic
services are indeed being htly honored
God bless those whose names are on that
golden ROLL But IL cannot be considered
indicate to call to mind the families OF
such officers rs Col. Harry c. Egbert.
Naval Cadet Woods. Major c. A. Rookie
Teller. Colonel Stotzenberg. the gallant
Colonel Miley, and every family of the
eaptains and lieutenants killed or dead In
cuba or on the growing roll OF the slain
in the Philippines. Relief should be ex
tended to officers and men alike. There
are hundreds of specially deserving cases.
feel embarrassed in mentioning names,
but as one who has never received a dollar
of bounty pension, or assistance. / can
sneak feelingly for those who suffer and
are In need These men felt impelled by
duty and patriotism to go to the front. Let
n fair measure of dignihed relief be af-
forded those who deserve 1t, lest we for
get. lest we forget" Keep an equitable
share Of the readable relief money at
home. RICHARD HENRY SAVAGE.
Late Major Second U. s. V. Engineers.