The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1903-04-29

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cult one. They are very poorly armed
and have no means of withstanding
our mountain artillery or field uortars.
Their forts possess but slight resisting
power and can easily be destroyed by
modern artillery"
|. Of the roads to Lake Lanao, he says:
cat the time of my visit there were
six hundred Of our men at work on this
road. The heat was intense, and there
were at the time seventy men sick,
and some two hundred men on sick re-
port. Unless there be some great mill
tary necessi ty-and I know of none
this work should not be performed by
troops. There appeared to be very
great dissatisfaction and just ground
for complaint. -
The more important observations and
recommendations of Gen. Miles are as
follows:
"The general condition of the troops
in the archipelago was czeditabte to
themselves and to the country. The
officers and soldiers made a good ap-
pearance.
l'The effect of the climate is most
serious detriment to the service. Ihe
men 20 there in perfect health and
in tie prime of manhood, but as
body are seriously affected In the
course of two or three years service.
Very few escape, but the majority are.
debilitated.
'sAs the military stations, with but
few exceptions, are very remote and
the troops are required to be IN COM
munities that are neither beneficial nor
congenial to them, the service is de-
pressing, and, to some extent, has
demoralizing effect. During my visits
| to the garrisons it so happened that 1
did not see single soldier under the
influence of liquor. As the result Of
my observations it is my Judgment
that the discontinuance Of the liquor
feature Of the canteen has been bene-
fetal to the army. Now that the
temptation has been removed from the
| immediate presence of the young men
of the army they are less likely to in
dulge in the use of liquor.
s'The number of troops shat will be
REQUIRED to occupy the Philippine Is
lands is still problematic. While it is
claimed that the people are pacihed,
evidences of hostility toward Ameri7
can sovereignty are apparent. The news
papers, published sn both Spanish and
English, contain almost daily accounts
of hostilities, depredations or disturb
ances of the peace. Against these arm
ed bands tthe Civil Government is.
employing the constabulary, a force
of about SIX Thousand men.
81 found large proportion OF the
troops occupying church, property,
| monasteries, colleges and converts.
This believe to be entirely wrong,
and it should be discontinued without
delay
While the supplies have, as rule,
been abundant and Of GOOD quality,
there is, in MY opinion, too much
cold storage meat used for the good OF
the troops. It's constant use becomes
very distasteful and, IN the opinion
Of many eminent physicians, it is not
the most healthful. "
Gen. Miles says the Philippine Is
lands are as defenceless today as they
were five years ago and reneWs his re-
commentator that at least one
strategic position be fortified beyond
the posi- bility of capture by any for
SlSll u6Gt W uSoGo.
g In my journeys through the arehl-s
pelago / was frequently appealed to to
aid in assisting the people to obtain a
food supply, of which they will be In
great need in the near future. I do
not think there is today people SO.
sorely afflicted as the eight millions
of inhabitants of this archipelago.
Pestilence has prevailed, having been
| in some districts serious scourge,
resulting in the reported death of
nearly rs, 900 people, while it is esti-
/ mated that the number not reported is
fully as large"
Gen. Miles recommended that trans
ports should be used to bring out
wheat and corn, and then used to
| bring carabaos and cattle.
Portions of the report OF Gen. Miles
we're sent to the different chiefs OF
bureaus and replies from several
officers have been received.
| Gen. Gillespie, chief of engineers.
sThat Manila harbr or any other
barbor in the insular possessions is
| not now defended, or is not in process
of defence, is because Congress has
not so willed it,
Gen. O'Reilley, surgeon general,
says; "a o2oo+ - tha climate IN
the health of the army is simple
fact. I think we must consider these
sick rates as part OF the price OF oecu-
pancy of the islands and not expect
j any very great diminution for the fu7
I ture. There should be improvement
when the troops are taken out OF the
native villages and comfortably settled
in permanent barracks.
s'The prevalence of alcoholism IN
the army as shown by the sick report
is much greater in the United States
than in the islands. The last annual
report of the surgeon general showed nes
the island rate to be only two-thirds
of the army rate at home
Gen. O'Reiliy defends the canteeu
system as means of keeping soldiers
away from the attractions Of saloons.
Gen. Weston, commissary general,
says: In my Judgment it is not q
feasible or economical plan and there