New-York tribune., 1903-04-28
CONDITION OF THE TROOPS.

peIago was creditable to themselves and to the
country. The officers and soldiers made good ap-
pearance.
rnent to the service. The men go there in perIect
health and in the prime of manhood but as 9ody
are seriously affected in the course of two or three
years service. Very few escape. The majority are
As tha military stations with but few exceptions,
are very remote, and the troops are required TO be
in communities that are neither benehclaI nor con-
some extent has demoralizing effect, There are
diers and life under such circumstances becomes
very rnonotonous. During my visits TO the garrl-
der under the influence of liquor The following
AZ 122 sta tlons in the islands being all but nineteen
remote stations, November 2. L%2; troops on
duty. 1884; sick 1415.
AGAINST THE CANTEEN.
the result of my observations 1t is my. judg-
me that the discontinuance Of the liquor feature
Now that the temptation has been removed from
the immediate presence of the young men OF tne
army they are less likely to indulge in the use
The number of troops that will be required TO
occupy the Philippine Islands is still probematcaI
While it is claimed that the people are paclneo'
erejgnty are apparent The newspapers published
in both Spanish and English contain almost dalIy
Of the peace Against these armed bands the civil
government is employing the constabuiary, force
Of about SIX thousand men
In my Judgment the heavy artillery troops now
IN the Philippine Islands should be Withdrawn
without delay as there is not legitimate use for
them in the archipelago - -. 60
cavalry in the Philippine Islands than in the
States.
think it advsa bic that they should share their pro-
found large proportion Of the troops occupy; M
ing church properly. 81 he arfipaiI yyrorg
and il should be discontinued without delay. 1t is
NAV prevent destruction by fire to some extent yet
the damage done TO the buildings will be exten-
millions OF dollars being brought against the United
0TaeS MI ~ih +iaeaf nrssent verv ren1ote-as II
can be determined exactly what force will be re-
ne he c6@o5ns 39PS IN my 6dggs Which have been
erected BY the spaniards n the most @ avaIlao5e S
Accommodating, after slight repairs have been
acond nina buiIdings which are the most suitable
that can be used for the shelter OF troops
THE BEEF QUESTION AGAIN.
OF the supplies furnished to the troops he says:
While the supplies. as rule. have been abundant
much cold storage meat used for the g9od Of the
- oojnio- 80 ToanI eToi11er1 1rI,SicfaTs II
IS not the, most heathful. In my opinion it would
traua and have them loaded with livestock, which
can be distributed IN SIaH guantiues near the III d1I
have fresh beef and mutton as part OF the ration
This portion of the report referred to Com
rnissary General Weston. who says:
In my Judgment It is not a feasible or economical
plan and there should be departure from the
present system Of supplying frozen beef
General Weston says his office has never received
any complaint about frozen beef. but, on the
Native beef is out of question even if it were pos
sfbIe to procure it and there would be danger in
using it. besides its being poor stringy and tough.
cattle The experiment of bringing in cattle was
tried and. as stated by Colonel Woodruff. was
absolute failure
General Weston sums UP the objections 10 the
plan as follows:
The supply of cattle on the hoof for the military
service in the Philippines is rot practca ble would
involve enormous expense and entail useless loss Of
animal life and would serve useful purpose
either Of administration, economy or health Al
the trip 50 that the government would not only
freight what was lost
General Miles renews a recommendation made
before his visit the Philippines that at least
strategic position be fortified beyond the possibility
Of capture by any foreign fleets Of the general
condition he says:
frequently appealed % aid in assisting the peo-
pie to obtain 1929 s1pPy r 0I ~fn d fgy o WI" ti6 9
n tPeg gge Is oay ReS9 m People so orey eed as the
Country has been devastated by war, and sew
eral provinces are suffering now severely as the
pIacas locusts have destroyed the crops. Pesti-
o gnGe EsaTy nq sseysntyve thousand people while it is
estimated that the number not reported is fully as
large.
On November % 1902 General Miles sent the fol-
Lowing cable dispatch to the Secretary of War:
In nv Judgment five regiments. fifteen hundred
men each. Infantry and cavalry should be sent
ali needed supplies, and take returning regiments
The remaining transports should be used 10 bring
ont wheat and corn. and then used 10 bring cara
baos and cattle TO replace 80 per cent destroyed;
These people are suffering from effects OF war and
pestfence and famine must prevail In SIX months
unless prompt and efficient measures are taken
ANSWERS FROM BUREAU CHIEFS
Portions of the report of General Miles were sent
IN the chiefs Of bureaus TO which the observations
were referred and replies from several officers
have been received. General Gillespie. chief OF
engineers. says:
That Manila Harbor any other haroor IN the
tnsuIar possessions is not now defended or Is not
in process of defence Is because Congress has not
SO wilIed il Plans for the defence OF Manila Bay
and Suhig Bay prepared. and the revised
cIans have been approved by the Secretary OF War
For the defence Of Cebu and Iloilo preliminary
rroiac+s have beer prepared and accurate surveys
FOR the final projects are now in progress NO &C
tIa1 work can be done until the expenditure OF
fortihcatfon funds in the insular possessions Is au
fho-fzed by Congress This authority has been
asked in each annual report OF the chief OF eng1-
neArs since the acquisition OF the new territory.
General Crozier chief Of ordnance. says the War
Department appreciates the necessity OF defending
by Axed works the principal ports OF all the insu-
lar possessions. including the Philippine Islands.
bur that the matter rests with Congress.
SURGEON GENERAL ON LIQUOR QUESTION
General O'Reilly. surgeon general. says:
The bad effect of the climate on the health Of the
army Is simple fact Just as troops sars1ng on