Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1902-08-21
SOLDIERS that DIE.
Deaths Of Men 10 Philippines Must
Be Cabled Every Fortnight
What IT Will COST FOR CABLING


Oyster Bay, N. Y, Aug. 1e.-The
president yesterday gave orders that
hereafter the names Of the enlisted
men Of the army who died in the
Philippines be cabled to this coun-
try once in every two weeks. When
the volunteer army was in the archi-
pelago it was the custom to cable
the casualties, but on the withdrawal
Of that army the practice was dis
continued.
The subject was discussed while
the president was entertaining .
number Of visitors at luncheon yes
terday. Among those who sat at his
table were Maj. Gems. H. C. Corbin
and s. B. NJ. Young; Henry LOOMS,
the author; Jacob A. Riis, Of New
York; Robert A. Morris, chairman Of
the New York county republican
committee; former Gov. David R.
Francis, Of Missouri, president Of the
Louisiana Purchase Exposition com
pany; Henry M. Warren, Of Philadel-
phia, son of Bishop Warren, Of the
Methodist church, and Congressman
Mercer, Of Nebraska. The subject
Of cabling the names Of the dead
soldiers was preached by Mr.. Riis.
He made the point that under the
present system the relatives Of en-
listed men who die in the Philippines
are kept in ignorance Of this fact
for eight or ten weeks, while the
families Of officers who succumb
there are informed at once. The
president was greatly interested in
the matter and as soon as 1t was
explained to him ordered Gen. Cor
bin to instruct Gen. Chaffee, at Ma
Mia, to cable his full casualty list
twice month. While it costs on an
average Of $1.50 to cable news to this
country Of the death Of an officer
in the Philippines, It costs about $50
for each enlisted man. This differ
ence is due to the fact that the war
department has code numbers for all
its officers, while the names Of the
enlisted men, together with their
company, regiment, etc, must be
sent in full.
Former Gov. Francis discussed st.
Louis exposition affairs with the
president. He informed him that
the dedicatory ceremonies would oc-
cur April 80 next, this being the
one hundredth anniversary Of the
transfer of the coded territory from
the French government to the United
States. President Roosevelt prom
ised to attend these ceremonies and
further stated that he would have
our representatives abroad instruct
ed to use their best endeayors to in
duce foreign governments to have
exhibits at the exposition. He in
structed Gems. Corbin and Young,
who sail to-day on the Fatherland
for Germany, to become the guests
Of Emperor William during the
maneuvers Of the German army, to
do all they could to further the in
terests in Germany of the EXPOSE
ton. The two army officers came
yesterday to pay their respects to the
president before sailing.
Mr.. Mercer discussed the political
situation in the northwest and he in
formed the president that his re-
ception in Omaha next month would
not be confined to one political party,
but would be participated in by all
parties.
Secretary Of the Treasury Shaw
was the presidents guest at dinner
yesterday. He was en- route to his
simmer home at Thompson's Point,
VT, and desiring to see
the president for a few hours, &C.
cepted an invitation to dine with him.