Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1901-12-04
SECRETARY ROOT REPORTS.
Gives Interesting Information Re-
garding Strength of Army-Plea
for Well-Trained Militia.

Washington. Nov. N.-In the first half
of his report Elihu Root, secretary Of war,
reviews at length the work of the army
during the last year, and gives particular
attention to conditions in Cuba. He holds
that the island rapidly is making ready
for home rule.
Among the important recommendations
by the secretary is for an officers school
in which young men in civil life can be
trained In military duties, fitting them for
service IN volunteer force in case of need.
Regarding the anti-canteen law the re-
port says: 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 d.
rected to report upon its effects. Reports
received indicate that the effect of the law
is unfortunate. I think, however, that a
| sufficient time has not elapsed to give the
law a fair trial, and the observation of it's
working will be continued during the en-
suing year,
The full strength Of the army in every
branch is 84,51G officers and men, of whom
1928 are In the Philippines, 4,914 in Cuba
and ,51 in Porto Rico. Operations in the
Philippines have degenerated into sporadic
Drgandage. For the year ending June 30
the Filipinos lost 1854 killed. 1,19S wounded.
6,572 captured and 2S,Oe5 surrendered, with
total of 1858 rifles and nearly 300, 900
rounds of ammunition. The American los.
was 246 killed, 400 wounded, lis captured and
20 missing. Congress is asked to make spe-
clal recognition of the services of Maj
Gems. Merritt, Brooke and OTIS
A well-trained militia organizat ton, ready
to take Its place as a part of the fighting
force of the nation in any emergency. is
held necessity. On this point the secre-
tary says: "The militia law to-day is prac-
tically obsolete. 1t Is desirable that con-
gress should exercise the power conferred
| hx-f ho {%,,tt
organizing. arming and disciplining the
militia. The organization and armament
should be made the same as for the regular
and volunteer forces. The relat ions of the
national guard organizations to the ma
tional forces and the obligations and duties
Of those organizations in time of war should
be clearly Defined"
The secretary proposes in time of peace
to prepare for war. He recommends that
national guard officers and other civilians
be invited to present themselves for ex-
animation. Those who found worthy
of commissions shall be listed, and in the
event of war shall be subject to call to
serve as officers Of volunteers.
Progress in the Philippines. is discussed
at length, the secretary saying that the
only opposition to the army now is a sort
of guerrilla warfare closely approaching
brigandage. 1t is stated that there are now
SOP military stations in the islands, cover
ing every important town and strategic
point.
In discussing Cuba Secretary Root says
that the constitution, although not wholly
satisfactory to him, has been treated by
the military government las an accept
able basis for the formation of the new
government to which the control of the
island is to be transferred, and such a
transfer may be anticipated before the
close of the approaching session of con-
gress." He then urges a treaty of reci-
prOcity with free Cuba. The Cubans llav-
ing accepted all the conditions imposed by
the United States, should be treated as
friends and not as enemies, and the secre-
tary holds that commercial reciprocity will
be money in nQcket for Uncle Sam