Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1901-12-07

lin this table are included the 1886
men OF the hospital corps and the 20
officers and SIS men Of the Porto Rico
provisional regiment, leaving the
strength of the regular army 1888 Of
fcers and 7G,0Si enlisted men. In adj
dition there are also In the Philippines
112 volunteer surgeons, appointed un-
der section Is OF the act OF February 2,
1901. and % officers and 4,973 ~sCouts.l
1.-THE recruitment OF the new organic
atlons and the maintenance OF the old
have been accomplished without diff
Guilty and the material obtained APP
pears by the reports TO be of the best
quality. About three-fourths OF the
total number Of applicants were re-
Jected and about one-fourth accepted.
OF these accepted about 80 per cent
were native born and about 10 per cent
naturalized citizens.
The Canteen Question.
With regard to the canteen the secre-
tary makes the following important re-
port n recommendation:
The provisions Of section 90 OF the
act OF February 2, 1901, prohibiting the
sale OF or dealing In beer, wine, or any
Intoxicating liquors by any person IN
rny post exchange, or canteen, or army
transport, or upon any premises used
for military purposes by the United
States, nave been carried into full force
and effect, pursuant TO the directions
OF the statute. When the orders were
Issued for the enforcement of this sec
ton OF the law, the commanding Off
GERS Of the various posts and military
organizations were directed to report
upon It's effects. a great body of re-
ports has been received, which indicate
that the effect of the law Is unfor-
tunate. l think, however, that a Suf-
flcient time has not elapsed TO give the
law n fair trial, and the observation
and report OF it's WORKING will he con-
tInued during the ensuing year
The report shows, say0 tho secretary,
speaking of the comfort and health Of
the troops, that the o 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 during
the past year was l0.14; In Cuba, 9.72;
In Porto Rico, 100, and among the
troops serving in the Philippines and
China it was reduced from 10. 81 during
the previous year to SO during the
past year. This covered periods or
very active service in the field by con
siderable portions Of the force in the
Philippines, and will doubtless be much
further reduced as the troops come 10
be stationed in more permanent quar-
ters. In the opinion of the medical
department., when permanent arrange
ments have been mad and proper SAN
itary regulations car be enforced, the
health of the troops stationed in the
tropics will be quite as good as If
stationed in our own gulf states.
Transport Service.
Reference is made to the discontinue
ance Of the Atlantic transport line, In
the interests Of economy, and with re-
gard to the Pacific line the secretary
says:
1T Is not practicable now to discon-
tInue the transport service upon the
Pacific, but | do not think 1t desirable
that the United States should own and
operate a fleet of passenger and freight
vessels in time of peace. 1t would be
gratifying If the American merchant
marine could furnish vessels TO trans
port our men and supplies as a part or
a regular between the United
States and the Philippines, under con-
tracts which would enable the govern
ment, in case Of war, to put the vessels
under the control Of regular officers of
the army or navy for transport pur-
poses, upon reasonable compensation.
1t is desirable that authority be given
by congress- to make such contracts in
case opportunity for such an arrange
ment should be afforded in the future"
Furthermore, the secretary recon-
mends that upon the sale OF such trans
ports as were bought from foreign own
ers and American register be granted
them by congress-. There would seem
to be no objection on any public
ground" he says, ito granting an
American registry to a ship which has
been for years flying the American flag
as a public vessel of the United States,
and when the money value of the privi-
lege viii go into the public treasury"
The secretary enews the recommen-
dations Of himself and his predecessors
for q revision of the militia law.
Cuban Relations.
Perhaps the most important feature
OF the report Is the secretary's con.
illusions and recommendations bearing
upon Cuba's commercial relations with
the United States. He says:
1.-The chief apparent obstacle to the
future prosperity of the island is to
be found in it's commercial relations
with the United States, n the neces-
sity OF securing some reciprocal ar
fangement under which a concession
shall be made from the tariff duties
now imposed by the United States
Upon the principal Cuban products.
The prosperity of Cuba depends upon
finding a market for her principal prod
ucts, sugar and tobacco, at a reason
able profit. Under the existing condi-
tons, or any conditions which are t.
be anticipated. she can find such q
market for her sugar, and to "a great