Daily Kennebec journal., 1901-11-30
En-

Porto Rico .............. j l4s' I'LL
9&.s: ''Sss,:'" ;;.s:, ':''o'= !: j: i: i: i:
Totor ....... &,a.S II aSj A.el3
This includes the native Porto Rican
regiment. about 900 strong but does not
include the 112 volunteer surgeons ana
tho 5000 native scouts in the Philip
pines. The recruitment Of the new
organizations and the maintenance Of
th. old have been accomplished with
out difficulty. and the material OBJ
tanned appears by the reports to be OF
the best quality. About three-fourths
II the total number OF applicants We're
rejected and about one-fourth ac-
cented. So much for the talk Of those
who said it would be necessary To I'LL
the ranks by conscription. OF those
accepted about 30 per cent. We're ma
tive born and about 10 per cent.
naturalized citizens. The requirements
that the applicant should be in perfect
health. OF good character. and able 10
read and write have been rigidly On
forced.
The reports show that the food and
clothing furnished TO the army during
the year have been satisfactory. that
and the death rat low. The death
rate per thousand Of troops in the
Cuited States during the past year
vas 1014; in cuba, 81; in Porto Rico.
80, and among the troops serving III
the Philippines ana China it was l"-
duccd from 1881 during the previous
year to l6..6 during the past year. This
covered periods Of very active service
m the field by considerable portions Of
rhc force in the Philippines, and Will
doubtless be much further redUt "a as
n" troops come to be stationed in more
permanent quarters. In til" opinion Of
the medical department. when prrma-
ncnt arrangements have been made
and proper sanitary regulations can u,
"rforc"d. the health of the troops Sta-
toned IL the tropics will b. quit" as
GOOD as If stationed in our own 'iulf
states. Thus another bucabon YAM
iShes into thin air.
Secretary Root. III discussing h..
Philippines. shows that thc conditions
there are as satisfactory as could well
he expected. Thc disturbances in
Samar are OF 2 minor character. The
fact that nearly 1000 native FiiipinoS
ar, employed as scouts with good
suits Is Of itself Il Very encouraging
fact. The Cuban situation is also
gratifying. Great progress has been
made ir an educational way ana IN
sanitary requirements and in all other
directions. The need Of some kind Of a
reciprocal arrangement under which
Cuban sugar and tobacco can nrd a
market in the United States III return
for lower duties in Cuba on American
products is earnestly set forth Nv tha
"''" N'' AdCkS tlal ne gives
ana the reasons for such action are
convincing. The canteen question.
upon which there have been conhictinr
reports from various officers ana posts
the secretary suggests, should he loft
"Nhout action for another year. which
seems to be q wis. ,ours,. ia ,,,,r..,,.,
MS remarks on the needs of the gem
t-ai stall and Of Pacific cable. and
his congratulation over the stamnirr
out OF the discreditable hazing prac.
uced at West Point will all be read by
'he public with great satisfaction.
Secretary Root deyotes considera HE
space TO the important matter of i'm
proving the National Guard, better
eoacatihg its officers. and making
CLOSER relations between the mi,;,i,
anu regular forces. Congress has Ions,
"eiaFed action in this matter and :, =.
Pfooaoie that the necessary lecis,a,io,
ny" De Forthcoming. The organ
Ma''oh and armament Of the Natior,,
'n should be uniform in an ia
ana matter of national, co,
he war with Spain showed ,hs
'hanse In every state there