The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-07

rerienced officers to do the work imposed upon them. This is a difficulty which time will to some extent remedy, espe- cially in the artillery and ordnance corps
 The provisions of heavy guns in coast Notifications is far advanced. The most pressing requirements in the way of ma terial are a further provision of rapid fire guns and the installation of fire-con- trol apparatus. Still more imperative Is the adequate training of the officers and men of the artillery force who are to use the guns. This is necessarily a matter of time. It is being pressed forward with commendable energy.
 As the work of coast defense involves the combined action of many different departments of the army, and many diff ferent boards of officers each acting in it's own field, the general staff has made careful study of the subject with view to the coordination of these diff ferent agencies and the treatment of the problems involved in a more comprehen- sve way than would be possible to any one department acting by itself The general staff report presents the data collected from all the different depart ments. showing what has been done and it's cost and what remains to be done and it's cost for Notifications, armament electrical appliances, housing and supply of troops, and provision for the care and use of the defenses
 Army in the Philippines.
 On the 18th of October 19O3 the Amer ican troops in the Philippines consisted of s43 officers and 14,667 enlisted men. General George w. Davis, the division commander until the 25th of July, has re- ported that the number can be still fur ther reduced, and l agree with that opin- ion. It Is not desirable, however, to make any further reduction until the construction of barracks and quarters in the United States has made further pro- gress. There are also go officers and 1895 enlisted men of the Philippine scouts. There is not at present much occasion for the use of American troops outside of the Moro country, but the moral effect of their presence is undoubtedly salutary. We are following the policy of drawing them together in the comparatively few large posts, which are In course of con struction, where their discipline, health and opportunities for instruction will be improved and the cost of maintenance will be decreased. Such smaller posts as are required will be generally, and are now to a considerable extent occupied by the Philippine scouts General Davis re- ports under the head of Public order" as follows:
 In all the cities and large towns
 
 out very large part of the rural dis tricts inhabited by Christian Filipinos life and property have been secured and the inhabitants have pursued their ordi- nary avocations without annoyance by the lawbreakers There have been few cases of serious disturbance of the peace in the smaller towns and rural districts. which have resulted in some loss of life and property; such disturbances of the peace have had the effect of discouraging industrial efforts, and in many extensive regions little attention to agriculture the mainstay of the island, has been prac- ticable. The lawless element generally consists of rowing bands whose members are descendants of former generations of men engaged In similar avocations-law- breakers and robbers--by occupation. They sometimes call themselves 'insur- rectos" and resent the characterization of 'ladrones,' but the real motive of al- most all of these outlaws is loot pure and simple and to be supported by the peace full and industrious inhabitants.
 A number of conflicts have occurred during the year between these lawless bands and the Philippine scouts, in which the scouts have conducted themselves ad- mrably. In two cases during the year small bodies of white troops were called upon. The suppression of this kind of disorder is necessarily the work of time; but it is evidently progressing as rapidly as can be expected
 Bureau of lnsuIar Affairs.
 The bureau of insular affairs of the war department has performed the onerous and constantly increasing duties incident to it's representation of the Philippines government throughout the year with ef- ficiency and zeal It has attended to the purchase of supplies of all kinds and the disbursement of funds for the Philippine government in the United States to the extent of S7, ,7S5, 7s9.39 during the year. It has conducted the investigations and cor respondence connected with the appica- tions for office or employment in the Phil ippines, and the securing and transporta- tion of proper persons willing to accept appointments in that service It con ducted with great pains and skill the coin