Evening star., 1901-09-28
LUDINGT0N IN MANILA.
Quarfermaster General of the Army
Discusses Philippine Questions.

From the Manila American, August 13
Gen. VI. l. LudingtOn, quarternaster gen.
eral of the United States army, arrived in
Manila yesterday on the transport Grant,
accompanied by Mrs Ludington. The gen.
eraI reports a pleasant trip, unmarried by
any disagreeable features En- route to
Manila the general inspected the quarter
master department at San Francisco and
said he found everything in a gratifying
condition. as was also the case at HOnolu
lu. where he remained only two days. The
time. however. was sufficient to see that
ali was as it should be, and he was much
gratitied with the results of his inspection
General Ludington and his wife will re-
main in Manila for a month or more, dur
ing which time the general hopes to make
a complete and thorough inspection of his
department and it's condition and needs
throughout the islands
There are many new problems confront
ing this department" said the general
but then that is the case with the whole
United States at present. The country has
never in the course of its history had as
difficult a question to handle as the Philip
pines now present of course, 1t is early
for me to express any opinion on the sub
ject, but 1 have every confidence in the
ability of the country to handle even a
more difficult proposition. Questions are
coming up in the quartermaster's depart
ment which are not easy of solution, even
by the theorists The subject of quarters
is one that presents entirely new features
The use of nipa barracks. of course. has
helped solve one part of the question, as
here in such a climate tentage rapidly de-
teriOrates- The ability to place men under
shelter without tedious delay and without
transporting large quantities of tentage
has made it easy for the department to
meet other demands.
II expect to find thai great results have
hoa hy- TT H.
out the islands. as the reports show that
the present state of efficiency has never
before been equaIed. There are large num-
berS of capable officers in the department
now. and their capability has been taxed
to the uttermOst on several occasions
That they have proven equal to the demands
has deeply gratifed me. and | am confident
that they. will continue to show the state
of efficiency which has characterized this
department since the war started.
1.-The transport service has almost en-
tirely revolutionized the department, and
has brought out men Of sterling qualities
They have at all times been equal to the
tasks imposed upon them by the new con-
ditiOn of affairs and have learned their
new lessons with rapidity. The enlisted
force of the department Is equally deserv-
ing of credit with the commissioned staff.
and I expect to be able to commend them
all in my report
II have been much impressed upon land
ing with the earnestness of all the soldiers
and officers l have met. Since the capture
of Aguinaldo there has been a great deal
OF thought expended in the states upon the
Philippine problem. 1 am certain that the
men capable OF handling the question are
at the helm. and that the important part
OF the peaceful conquest of the islands has
been begun. In my opinion the most i'm
pOrtant move the government has made
has been the sending over of the American
teachers. From all that l have read the
Filipino character seems to embOdy an
anxiety 20 learn. With the means of OBJ
raf adn ht.V SNOiIld
advance, and they will certainly see that
the American people desire to aid and adj
vance them
Il an looking forward TO my trip through
the islands with a great deal of pleasure.
as l anticipate an agreeable time as well
as profitable one"