Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1904-12-03
UNCLE SANS DEFENDERS.

The annual report of Secretary VIM.
H. Taft Of the war department is an
interesting document and contains
much that will prove good reading for
every patriotic American. Among
other things Secretary Taft calls at
tention to the fact that the American
soldier is better paid than is the de-
fender Of any other nation in the
world. In addition to this, the Ameri-
can fighting man is better fed and bet
ter clothed than the soldier in the
service of the other countries.
1t Is notable fact that Japan and
Russia pay their soldiers respectively
only 80 cents and IL cents per month
for the time spent In the service. This
means much more than it would in
America, too, for In both the nations
row engaged in the war in the orient.
military service for prescribed term
Of years Is compulsory. On this point
of compensation the report Of Secre-
tary Taft says:
.'The clothing allowance for the
American soldier is of the amplest,
both in quantity and quality, the ra-
ton furnished has long been the sur
prise and wonder Of military men OF
foreign nations, and that the private
in the United States army, who re-
ceives $13 per month, is we'll paid,
can be seen from the following state
ment showing the pay OF privates In
other countries:
Austria Hungary >. -. -. -. ,. 70
france -. -. Liz
Germany l.oU
Great Britain -. -. -. -. -. TIA
Iapan go
Russia. $500. ..... 10
"The food and clothing supplied to
troops and the barracks and quarters
furnished at home and abroad have
been very satisfactory, and all troops
have been paid with promptness and
regularity, monthly payments prevail
ing except in the Department of Min
danao. where bimonthly payments
continue on account of lack OF trans
portation facilities. 1t is no exaggera-
ton to say that the troops of the
United States are the best fed, best
clothed and best sheltered troops In
the world"
The condition Of affairs in the Phil
ippines Is handled by Mr.. Taft In a
comprehensive manner. No one Is
better fitted to discuss the various
matters in connection with these new
possessions than is he as he has spent
much time there as governor and has
had excellent opportunities for obser-
walton It is of interest to the people
who are Of "the states" and have
never seen the Philippines to under
stand the relation between the Amer
lean soldiery and the native recruits
in the archipelago. Secretary Taft's
report contains a few paragraphs
bearing on this subject which should
serve to enlighten many of his fellow
countrymen. They follow:
1.-THE Philippine Scouts number now
a little over 1000 men. Half of these
companies have been employed in con-
nection with the native constabulary
of the Philippine archipelago in the
suppression of ladrones, and have rem
dered very efficient service. They are
amenable to discipline, have martial
spirit and make excellent soldiers. 1t
is a wise policy by which there shall
be maintained in the Philippine is
lands as long as the United States re-
mains in, control Of them, a small but
we'll trained Filipino army
"In the training of these soldiers,
there should be no half way measures.
If they are to be made soldiers at all,
they should be made good soldiers. They
should be trained as the American
soldiers are, with the same discipline
and the same rifle practice; and they
ought to have. and need rather more
than American soldiers do, full COM
plement of officers. There are now in
the service, two lieutenants to each
company. Many of them have rem
dered praiseworthy service and are
entitled to promotion
with regular officer as major
and the scout officers as captains and
lieutenants, the discipline and eff
cheney of the Philippine scouts could
be. largely increased at only the adj
ditional cost Of the payment of the
captins. some fifty In number. l