The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-04-28
COnflIngMany Reports of Cru- eIty(and Suggests Some
 Mismanagenent
RECEIVES UAGENTLEMANLY
 bEPLY FROM GEM HUGHES
He Suggests That Cattle Be Shipped to the Islands on Hoof That Soldiers Can Get a Little Fresh
 Meat Occasionally.

8aSnlnston, Aprll zf-Ihe e4lenueu re- port of Lieut.. Gen. Nelson A. Miles con- corning his observations in the Philip pines was made public today by the war department. It is dated February 19. 1903, and covers all features of his trip through the islands, together with his recommendations.
 Of the Moros, General Miles says:
 .The problem of reducing or controlling these people in case of continued hos tlities, does not appear to be difficult one. They are poorly armed and have no. means of withstanding our mounted artil- lery and field mortars. Their forts pos sess but slight resisting power and easily can be destroyed by modern artil- lery.
 ..The general condition of the troops in the archipelago was creditabe to them selves and to the country. The officers and soldiers made good appearance
 ''The effect of the climate is most serious detriment to the service The men go there in perfect health, and in the prime of manhood, bur as body are ] seriously affected in the course of two or three years. Very few escape. The ma jority are debiitated During my visits to the garrisons it so happened that l ldid not see a single soldier under the 'n- fuence of liquor.
 '.On November 27, 1902, there were 1154 troops on duty and 1415 sick
 Likes AntI-canteen Law.
 .'As the result of my observations, it is my judgment that the discontinuance of the liquor feature of the canteen has been beneficial to the army. Now that the temptation has been removed from the immediate presence of the young men of tpe army they are less likely to in dulge in the use of liquor.
 ",rhe large number of troops that will be required to occupy the Philippine islands Is still problematcal. While it is claimed that the people are pacified, evil dences of hostility toward American sov- ereignty are apparent The newspapers published in both Spanish and English contain almost daily accounts of hostil- ities, depredations or disturbances of the peace.
 While the supplies, as rule, have been abundant and of good quality, there is, in my opinion, too much cold storage meat used for the good of the troops. Its constant use becomes very distasteful, and in the opinion of many eminent phy- sicians 1t is not the most healthful. In my opinion 1t would be advisable to send government steamers to Australia and have them loaded with live stock. which can be distributed in small quantities near the different garrisons, so that they could at any time have fresh beef and mutton as part of the ration.
 Heard Many Appeals.
 Tn my journeys through the archi- pelago l was frequently appealed to to aid in assisting the people to obtain food supply, of which they will be in great need in the future. l do not think there Is today a people so sorely afflicted as the eight millions of inhabitants of the archipelago. Their country has been devastated by war and several provinces are suffering severely as the result of recommendation in the past. In some places locusts have destroyed the crops Pestilence has prevailed, resulting in the reported death of nearly 75.OOO people while it is reported that the number not reported is fully as large.
 Portions of the report of General Miles were sent to the different chiefs of bu- reaus to which the observations referred, and replies from several officers have been received.
 General ORelly, surgeon general says:
 ''The bad effect of the climate on the health of the army is a simple fact. Just as the troops serving on the Texas bor- der always have shown greater sick rate and higher percentage of deaths than those in the Rocky mountain dis trict or the northern quarters, so in a greater degree will the army in the Phil ippines always exceed in sickness and deaths the army at home. I think we must consider these sick rates as part of the price of occupancy of the islands and not expect any very great dminu- tion for the future.
 Alcoholism Worse in United States.
 of al, t.<.It- army as shown by the sick report (which is by no means an exact index of the habits of the mem, is much greater In the United States than in the island In spite of the undoubted poisonous effects of wine on some soldiers in the Phinp- pines. the sick rates for alcoholism rave been much smaller there than in the United States ever since our occupation of the islands
 'sThe effect of the discontinuance of the canteen feature of the post exchange on the wefl-being of the men, should, in my opinion, be judged largely from re- ports of posts In the United States and city stations only of the Philippines, such as Manila, Ilolo and Ceiba. At remote station in the islands a young soldier may, it Is true, get vile liquor at very small price, but there is nothing very at tractive in so doing. There are no bar fixtures or rooms with billiard tables and cards iced drinks music and sometimes dissolute women. Unless he Is already habitual drunkard, the temptation for him to become so are not nearly so great as In the cities mentioned and in the United States. When a previously sober soldier, however, does become a chronic drinker of wine, hh ruin Is complete.
 The importance of providing recreation ooms. with books. papers and all possible legitimate amusements for the soldier, Is verv sTeat from both a hygienic and moral standpdnt:
 If s Understood that reply has been recetv.S From General Isighes who was commer6sAg in the Philippines and is one of tbs een &ers to whom General Miles refers t q, <Ahis report. It was nol made public st .n war department and little N