The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1901-12-06

~ " - 7viIo fIoA1
Porto Rico ;;....;...... 81 1890 ISL
Hawaiian islands 49,. 6 $50 256
Gh'na '....: 3 1 20 1S2
Totals ..............3,27S S1,235 81, 513
lin this table are included the 1895
men of the hospital corps and the 25
officers and S15 men Of the Porto Rico
provisional regiment, leaving the
strength of the regular, army 1888 Of
flcers and 76,0S4 enlisted men. In ad-
d1tlon there are also in the Philippines
l12 volunteer surgeons, appointed un-
der section IS of the act of February @,
l9Ol, and IS officers and 1878 scouts.
The recruitment Of the new organic
atlons and the maintenance Of the old
nave been accomplished without diff
Guilty and the material obtained ap-
pears by the reports to be of the best
quality. About three-fourths of the
total number of applicants We're re-
Jected and about 'one-fourth accepted.
Of these accepted about 90 per cent
were native born and about 10 per cent
natucc!ized citizens.
The Canteen Question.
With regard to the canteen the secre-
tary makes the following important re-
port II recommendation: ,
The provisions Of section SO of the
act Of February 9, 1901, prohibiting the
sale of or dealing in beer, wine, or n
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, nave been carried into full force
and effect, pursuant to the directions
of the statute. When the orders We're
issued for the enforcement Of this sec
tion of the law, the commanding Off
GERS or the various posts and military
organizations were directed to report
Gpon Its effects. "A great body of re-
ports has been received, which indicate
that the effect of the aw is unfor-
tunate.' I think, however, that a suf-
fcient time has not elapsed to give the
law a fair trial, and the observation
and report Of it's working will be con-
tlnued during the ensuing year"
The report shows. says the secretary,
speaking Of the comfort and health Of
the troops, 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 900
OF troops in the United States during
the past year was 10.14; in Cuba, 9.72;
In Porto Rico, 100, II among he
troops serving in the Philippines II
China it was reduced from 10. 81 during
the previous year to 1G. 76 during the
fooN SCais III SoNSACo Pei 4oNo III
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 to
be stationed in more permanent quar-
ters. In the opinion of the medical
department, when permanent arrange
ments have been made n proper SAN
4tary regulations can 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 I do not think it 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 Of
a regular commerce 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.
It 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 econ
mends h a upon the sale of such trans
ports as We're bought from foreign own
ers Inc American register be granted
them by congress-. There would seem
to be nc objection ON any public
ground" he says, ito granting an
American registry to q 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 will go into the public treasury"
The secretary renews the recommen-
cations Of himself and his predecessors
for a 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, and the neces-
sity of securing some reciprocal ar
rangement 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
hnding,a market for her principal prod
ucts, sugar n tobacco, at a~reason-
able profit. Under the existing condi-
lions. or any conditions which are to
be anticipated, she find such q
market for her sugar, and to a great
degree for her tobacco. only in the