Sistersville daily oil review. [volume] (Sistersville, W. Va.) 1902-1905, 1902-11-17
Inspector General of Army Re-
ports Great Progress in
That Service.
ABSEATEEISM is CRITICISED
Says Officers and Men Labored Pa
tientiy TO Solve Problems in Philip
pines-Crying Need Of Soldiers on
Islands Now ls Better ouSrters.

Washington, Nov. 1.-THE annual
report CT J. c. Breckenridge, inspector
general Of the army, is yoluminous
document and covers every phase Of
the military establishment and each
department bureau and command n
the army. 1t contains more than 80
recommendation and suggestions re-
lating to improvements in the army,
most Of which pertain to technical
matters and minor conditions. Much
Of the report necessarily has been
covered in the reports OF bureau
chiefs and commanding officers. Gen
eral Breckinridge finds much to COM
mend in all branches Of the service
and reports progress and improve
ments everywhere. The mCSt serious
criticism is in regard TO absenteeism,
where officers are detached and on
detached duty, leaving the regiments
short Of oG.ccrs. Thus in the Philip
pines especially. it is found that many
companies are without captains. and
the companies IN command Of new
and untriad officers. He attributes
sa.s lack .5G-afi re~s in -Tc army TO ill
the details and detached assignments.
General breckenridge shows that IN
struction in the army is progressing
satisfactorily. He recommends the
fortifcation Of Pearl harbOr, in the
Hawaiian islands. as a strategic point.
He says water transportation in the
army is rapidly assuming stable and
economical methods.
He has the following to say regard
ing his inspection in the Philippines:
During M tour in the Philippines
il was evident on all sides that the
army. as a whole was laboring pa
tiently and faithfully to solve the
many vexing problems continually
presented to il. The difficulties en-
countered and the hardships endured
never can be fully appreciated by
anyone who has not been on the
ground and observed the daily life ~
officers and men 1000 miles from
home influences and associations, liv-
ing in communities either openly or
secretly hostile. depending almost en-
tirely for their subsistence upon the
commissary-where one Is always
afraid to take even an ordinary drink
OF water without ascertaining first
whether it has been cooked.
Critics at home may sometimes
search for epithets TO apply 10 our
general officers, out these officers are
no less kind-hearted than their crit
ics.
The crying need OF soldiers now
in the Philippines is quarters; and
nothing will add more 10 the comfort,
discipline and efficiency OF officers
and men serving in that division than
the construction, IS rapidly as posi-
bic, Of commodious quarters and bar
racks for our troops, on sites which
will afford ample room for proper in
struction Of large bodies Of men in
drill and target practice"
Discussing the American troops and
the Filipinos. General Breckinridge
says:
There has been a good deal Of dis
cussion In the public press and else
where concerning the treatment OF
the native Filipinos by the American
troops. and some rather serious
charges hare been brought against
the army. which, however. have not
been sustained
General Breckinridge then pays a
high compliment to the officers in
command Of the Philippine army.
mentioning a great many by name.
but saying all had nobly done their
duty. In conclusion he says:
The officers Of the inspection
corps in the Philippines substantially
agree that extreme and frequent cru
city has not been habitually practiced
and that all weIIfounded complaints
Of excesses have led 10 trial and pun
ishment OF the offenders"