Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1901-12-05
ROOTS ANNUAL.
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF
WAR is MADE PUBLIC.
Says the Abolition Of the Canteen Has
Apparently Not Been Beneficial. But the
Law Has Not Yet Had Sufficient Trial
Ocean Transport Services Bad-Trans-
Pacific Cable Should be Laid.

Washington. Nov. 27.-Hon. Elihu
Root, secretary of the war, has sub
mitted to the president his annual report
of the operations of his department.
Starting from the mastering of volun-
teers at San Francisco in the first months
OF 1901, the secretary says:
Especial care was taken to secure full
descriptive lists and a thorough medical
examination, with view to aid in the
settlement of future applications for
pensions. The commanding general of
the department reported that the muster
out was quiet, orderly, and without
indident. Ninety-seven per cent. of the
men mustered out proceeded without
delay to their respective homes"
Regarding the abolition OF the army
canteen, the secretary says:
"Tle provisions OF section SO of the
act of February =, 1901, prohibiting the
sale of or dealing in beer, wine or any
Intoxicating liquors by any person in any
post exchange, or canteen, or army
transport, or upon any premises used for
military purposes by the United States
effect, pursuant to the directions of the
statute.
"When the orders were issued for the
enforcement of this section of the law,
the commanding officers of the various
posts and military organizations were
directed to report upon its effects. A
great body of reports has been received,
which indicate that the effect of the law
is unfortunate. l think, however, that
sufficient time has not elapsed to give
the law fair trial. and the observation
and report of its workings will be con-
tinued during the ensuing year.
"The reports show that the food and
clothing furnished to the army during
the year have been satisfactory that the
health of our troops has been good, and
the death rate low. The death rate per
1000 of troops in the United States dur
ing the past year was 1O.14; in Cuba
972, in Puerto Rico, 7.9O, and among
the troops remaining in the Philippines
and in China it was reduced from 1881
during the previous year to 1916 during
the past year."
Ocean Transport Service Bad.
Secretary Root says that the ocean
transport service has been bad, or rather
insufficient for the needs of the depart
ment. He recommends American regis
ter of those boats which have been
bought OF foreign owners for the govern
ment service.
"Most of our Transports" the secre
tary says, "were bought from foreign
owners and upon being sold would neces-
sarily come again under foreign flag.
1t will make a great difference in the
prices which can be obtained if an Amer
lean register can be granted to these
ships. ask that this be authorized by
congress. There would seem to be no
objection on any public ground to grant
ing an American register to ship which
has been for years flying the American
flag as public vessel of the United
States, and when the money value OF the
privilege will gointo the public treasury"
Operations in the Philippines.
The report briefly reviews the work OF
the army in the Philippines, which is
highly praised, and makes special men
ton of the capture Of Aguinaldo by Brig.
Gen. Frederick Funston. 1t says:
"The operations of the field forces were
80 vigorous and unrelenting that more
than 900 contacts occurred between our
troops and the insurgents from May,
1900, to June 80, 1901, in which the in
surgent casualties were: Killed, 1854
wounded, 1882; captured, 6,572; sur
rendered, 23,O95; with a total OF l5,6,S
rifles and nearly POO, 900 rounds of small
arms ammunition captured and surren-
dered.
"Our casualties during the same period
were: Killed, 1925; wounded, 400; cap
tured, ia; missing, 26.''
Much has been done in the past year,
says the report, to reduce the expense of
the army, and the heads of departments
have been sent to the Philippines to as
certain matters wherein additional re-
trenchments can be made.
The government of Cuba, present and
future, is considered at considerable
length, the report showing most hope
full condition.
Conditions in Alaska.
The creation of orderly social condi-
tons in Alaska, the secretary says, has
left little for the troops there to do
except the construction of telegraph
lines and military roads. Appropria-
tons for these purposes is recommended.