The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1900-10-04
WASHINGTON LETTER.
Supplies For Our Soldiers In China'
Korean Prince In Washington.
A Philippine Leper Colony.
Especial Correspondence

China within the next 20 or 30 days.
The last ship to leave San Francisco
for Taku with quartermasters supplies
was the Rosccrans, which closely fol-
lowed the Egbert. Both Of these ships
took abundant clothing and forage.
There had previously been sent Inn
mcnse quantities Of lumber including
everything I'm the way OF building ma
tcrials that Is necessary In the con-
etructlon Of barracks for the men and
stables for the horses. This lumber
and similar supplies will reach Taku in
a short time
It ls somewhat doubtful whether Ia
ku will be made the site Of a large
camp. rs the reports received by the
quartcrmastcr's department Indicate
that the facilities at this place are not
very good. there being an especial
lack Of buildings for storing and ware
housing the supplies While II IS pos
sible that a small detachment will re-
main at Taku, the belief at the war
department Is that the main body Of
troops VIII be wlntored at Ticn-tsln.
Nothing has been announced from the
war department as TO General Chat
fees recommendation. but II is known
that he favors the withdrawal Of
troops to Tlen-tsln or some place near
the coast. His recommendations as to
the points for winterlng the troops will
no doubt be largely followed.
Prince EuI whn In Washington.
Prince Eul Wha, heir apparent to the
throne OF Korea. has arrived I'm Wash
lngton. where he Will remain some
months 10 study the language, man.
ners. customs and Institutions Of this
country. The prince has n suit Of three
attendants. all members Of the court
families OF Korea. The domicile chO-
sen by this member OF n royal family
IS an obscure boarding house within a
short distance Of the Korean legation.
Prince Eul Wha is only the second son
Of King IL Houl, relgning sovereign,
but as succession In that country Is
much a matter OF fayorltlsm or politics
this young man bids fair some day to
fall heir to the throne OF his native
country
lie is n small, dark man with the
characteristics of his countrymen, nei-
thcr good looking nor extremely ugly.
Although he is only about "a years old,
he has Travelled extensively, having
visited Japan. Russia and most of the
European countries.
When asked what studies he would
take up here, he replied that II was DIFF
ncut to say as yet. for he spoke but lit
tie English and first Of all would find
It necessary to become familiar with
the language. He has a bright, active
mind and is Of an inqulring turn, de-
slrous Of being posted In all up to date
matters.
a Leper Colony In the Philippines.
A board Of army officers OF which
Major L. II. Maus Of the medical de-
partment was president appointed to
select an island or islands in the Phil
lppines for the establishment Of
leper colony has completed It's work
and submitted It's report to General
Macarthur.
The report Of the board has not yet
been made public. but 1t is understood
that It recommends that the proposed
colory be established on a group Of
three small islands near the coast Of
Cebu, In the southern archipelago.
Considerable difficulty was found In
selecting a suitable place. There are
about 10000 lepers In the Philippines,
and It was necessary to find a fertile
tract Of land adapted TO the production
of variety of products easy Of cult
vation. The board found that most Of
the places answering this description
were densely populated, and even
where suitable places did not have so
many inhabitants 1t was a difficult
problem to provide for their transfer
to some other place. Before making
selection they visited nearly 100 is
lands.
COmmissiOner Evans PenslOnRbIe.
The commissioner of pensions discov-
cred the other day that he was pen
slonable under the law. Not only Is
Commissioner Evans pensionable now,
but for many years he could have
drawn SO a month from the govern
ment for defective hearing.
This discovery was made on an occa-
sion when some pension cases were be-
| fror Il~1,rr.1 Ia fln mi &C fnnpTfG
office by the chiefs Of divisions. The
proof to establish defective hearing
was being considered. One Of the
chiefs of divisions approached the CON-
missioner from the left with a watch
which he gradually moved to the COM
mIssioner's ear. Mr.. Evans could not
hear the ticking OF the tlmepiece until
It was within an inch of his ear. he
was at once assured that he was un'
questiouably pensionable for partial
deafness. Mr.. Evans had never sus-
pected that he had any defect Of hear
ing.
Must stick TO Their Work.
Young men who went out from this
country to occupy civil places In the
Philippines are not expected to ask for
leaves of absence. Secretary Root has
decided that no matter how exacting
may be the demands upon these clerks
or to what extent they may desire
vacation, they must stick to their tasks
or resign. He has caused Adjutant
General Corbin to send cablegram to
General Macarthur at Manila saying;
Granting leaves Of absence to civil
employees is not regarded with favor
by the secretary Of war, save In cases
Of emergency. AS a rule clerks who
are not able TO serve without leave
should sever relations, that men who
can give their whole time may be en-
ployed." CARL scHoFIELD.
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