The San Francisco call., 1901-11-27
MILITIA MUST
Be REORCAN|zED
Secretary of w ar Recon-
mends a Number OF
Changes.
Generals Merritt, Brooke and
Otis May Soon Be
Honored.

WASHINGTON, Nov. 26.-Elihu Root.
Secretary of War, to-day submitted to the
President his annual report of the opera
tions of his department. Speaking of the
mastering out of the volunteers at San
Francisco in the first six months of 1901
the Secretary says:
Special care was taken to secure full de-
scrptiye lists and a thorough medical exam
nation with view to aid in the settlement Of
future applications for pensions. The command
muster-out was quiet orderly and without in
cdent Ninety-seven per cent of the men mus
tered out proceeded without delay to their re-
spective homes.
The Secretary says regarding the army
canteen:
The provisions of section 3S of the act of
February g. 1901 prohibiting the sale of or deal
ing in beer wine any Intoxicating liquors by
any person in any post exchange, canteen,
or army transport, or upon any premises used
for military purposes by the United States,
have been carried into fuil force and erect,
pursuant to the directions of the statute. When
the orders issued for the enforcement of
this section of the law the commanding Off
GERS of the various posts and military organi-
zations were directed to report upon its effects.
A great body of reports have been received,
which indicate that the effect of the law is un-
fortunate. I think, however that a sufficient
time has not elapsed to give the law a fair
trial, and the observation and report of its
working will be continued 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 thousand of troops in the United
States during the past year was 1014; in Cuba,
972; in Porto Rico, 7.90, and among the troops
serving in the Philippines and China 1t re-
duced from 1881 during the previous year to
1875 during the past year.
Transport Service Defective.
The ocean transport service has continued to
! be inadequate and inefficient. The return of
the volunteer force from the Philippines in the
limited period allowed between the time when
they were required for active operations in the
early part of 1901 and the 30th of June in that
year was accomplished without accident, confu-
sion delay and was very credtable per-
formance
Notwithstanding the faithful and jealous
service of the officers of the quartermaster's 8
department in charge of Government transpor-
tation 1 became satisfied that with the reduc-
tion of forces and consequent reduction of bust
ness in Cuba and Porto Rico the business could
be done more economically by commercial lines
and the department was not justified in longer
maintaining ga separate transport meet t,o on the
accordingly discontinued on the 3Oth of June
last.
It is not practicable now to discontinue the
transport service upon the Pacific. but I do
not think it desirable that the United States
should own and operate fleet of passenger
and freight vessels in time of peace. 1t would
be gratifying If the American merchant marine
could furnish vessels to transport our men
and supplies part of regular commerce
between the United States and the Philippines
under contracts which would enable the Gov
ernment, in case of war, to put the vessels
under the control of regular officers of the army
or navy for transport purposes, upon reason
able compensation 1t is desirable that author
ity be given by Congress to make such con-
tracts in case opportunities for such an ar
rangement should be afforded in the future.
Most of our transports were bought from
foreign owners and upon being sold would
necessarily come again under a foreign flag.
1t will make great difference in the prices
which can be obtained if American register
can be granted to these ships. 1 ask that this
be authorized by Congress. There would seem
ito be no objection any public ground to
granting an American register 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 privilege will go
into the public treasury.