The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-09-26
SPANISH WAR VETERANS.
Second Annual Convention of the M
tionaI Army in Session.

About thirty delegates and as many
more alternates are in the city to at
tend the second annual convention of
the National Army of Spanish War Vet
Grams. which convened yesterday morn
ing in the armory of the Washington
Light Infantry, on Fifteenth, near E
Streets northwest. Gen. J. Warren
Kiefer, the commandeT-in- chief, cal,eI
the initial meeting to order yesterday
morning His report was read and the
convention adjourned until the evening
Amendments to the constitution were
considered at the night session. The
association numbers $1,000 members, and
is the largest Spanish war society yet
formed.
The members are anxious to secure
an amalgamation with similar societies
and the subject of confederation was dis
cussed with interest. 1t was agreed to
elect a committee of five today TO meet
similar committees that may be ap-
pointed by other associations and to
consider plans for union. The decisions
of the joint committee. after being
ratified by the association, shall be
carried out by the commander in chief
1t is planned to unite not only with
associations of soldiers. but also of
sailors and marines who served in the
Spanish war
The action of General Kiefer in remov-
ing William Christ Liller, former adju-
tant general of the association, was I'M
qualifedly endorsed and commended by
the convention.
4 proposed amendment to the constitu-
tion providing that all past commanders
in chief and all past corps commanders
should be life members of the Nat .caal
Army, which governs the association. vas
endorsed.
There was some discussion as to the
terms of membership. 1t was first sug-
gested that all men who served henorabIy
in the Spanish war or lin the incident
war in the Philippines" should be quail
fed for admission. 1t was pointed out,
however, that technically there has been
no war IN the Philippines. proposal
limiting membership to soldiers who serv-
ed or enlisted during the period between
the declaration of the Spanish war and
the Treaty of Peace was favorably con-
sidered, but action was deferred until to-
day. It's approval would shut out SOL
diers in the Philippines or in China who
enlisted since April of 1899.
The chief reason actuating the delegates
in favoring such a time limitation was
the Philippines will end. THE Spaniards
carried on their war with the Filipinos
for $50 years" said one of the delegates,
land there seems no certainty that we
will be at peace there in any less time.
Unless We put some kind of limitations on
membership. soldiers fighting in the Phil
ippines in the year 1850 will be qualified
to get into this society as Spanish war
veterans. We must put a dividing line
somewhere
The chairman appointed committee,
consisting of II. z. Green, w. NJ Smith,
D. V. Chisholm, John T. Hilton. W w
Hubbell, and Harold C. Megrue to make
nominations of officers for the election TO
be held this morning. The association
will give a smoker this evening at the
Washington Light Infantry armory and
invites all veterans of the Spanish war,
whether or not members of the society,
to be present. The Marine band will fur
nish music and there will be refreshments.
The convention will probably conclude
its work tomorrow.