The Irish standard., 1903-05-02

at large profit" Gen. Miles charac-
terizes this as unprecedented. He
speaks of the magnitude of the trans
action, which involved 21,ooo,oOO
pounds of rice and other supplies alta
cost of $3O6,32O. He says that can ex-
traordinary feature of this transac-
ton is the action which was disap-
proved by division commander who
assumed command and who turned the
matter over to the civil authorities and
that it has been carried on under an
act of the Philippine commission"
Gen. Davis Reply.
A reply to the foregoing portion of
the report has been prepared by Judge
Advocate General Davis in letter to
the secretary of war in which he says:
"The incidents which are set forth
in the inclosed special report have been
made the subject of special investiga-
tions; in some instances these have
been conducted by courts-martial and
their findings and sentences have been
| duly promulgated in orders: in others
the inquiries have been intrusted to in
spectors. or to officers designated for
that purpose by the commanding gem
eral in the Philippines. Where admin
istrative action has been called for.
as result of such Investigations. it
has been taken by the proper military
commander, if the parties continued
within his jurisdiction: in other cases
the matter has been submitted to the
department with view to resort TO
deemed appropriate and these repre-
sensations have resulted in a number
of court-martial trials. AS to some
phases of these inquiries the invest:ga-
tions are not yet complete and refer
ence of the paper rs. to the Philippine
islands or officers who are now serving
in the United States has been neces-
sary. Whether the necessity for any
further administrative action. in adj
dition to that already taken, will be
disclosed as result of such investiga-
ton can only be determined when in
spection reports are received at the
department."
General observations.
The more important observations
| and recommendations of Gen. Miles
are as follows:
1.-THE general condition of the troops
in the archipelago was creditable to
themselves and to the country. The
officers and soldiers made a good APP
pearance.
"As the result of my observations it
is my judgment that the discontinue
ance of the liquor feature of the can
teen has been beneficial to the army.
Now that the temptation has been re-
moved from the immediate presence
of the young men of the army, they are
less likely to indulge in the use of
liquor.
"The number of troops that will be
required to occupy the Philippine
islands is still problematical. While
it is claimed that the people are paci-
fed. evidences of hostility toward
American sovereignty are apparent.
Elm my Journeys through the archi-
pelago I was frequently appealed to
aid in assisting the people to obtain
food supply, of which they will be in
great need in the near future. lido not
think there is to-day people so sorely
afflicted as the 100000 of inhabitants
of this archipelago. Their country has
been devastated by war and several
provinces are suffering now severely as
the result of RECOMMENDATION in the
past. In some places locusts have de-
stroyed the crops. Pestilence has pre-
vailed. resulting in the reported death
of nearly $4,000 people, while it is esti-
! M tod haf H., ~
is fully as large"