The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-11-29
Enlisted


During the year the preparation of
preliminary projects for emergency de-
lenses of the more important harbors
in the new insular possessions has been
continued Accurate surveys of a large
number of battery sites have been COM
pleted, and actual construction of en-
placements and installation of arma-
ment can follow at such rate of pro-
greSs as may be determined upon by
congress. The Importance Of this work
is obvious, and al appropriation of ST.,
Gil, 056 for continuing the work has been
requested in the annual estimates SUBJ
mitted for the next fiscal year.
During the fiscal year 1904 ninety Of
ficers were undergoing instruction at
the infantry and cavalry school and
staff college at Fort LeavenWorth, Kan;
80 at the cavalry and artillery school at
Fort Riley, Kan; 48 at the artillery
school at Fort Monroe, Va, and 10, at
the school of submarine defense at Fort
Totten, N. Y. In addition Sc officers
have been employed as instructors in
the military departments of state col
leges and other institutions of learn
ing.
As far as the military administration
of the army is concerned, the Alaskan
telegraph system is now complete and
the time doubtless not far distant when
private enterprise will render it posi-
BILE for the army to gradually withdraw
from telegraph work in Alaska, thus
following the policy which has hereto
fore obtained under similar circum-
stances. This view finds confirmation
in the fact that $50, 925.S9 was spent
during the year for Alaskan kilograms
handled by the signal corps alone and
that of the SIS, $50 messages constituting
the entire volume of business 31,020, or
over 55 per cent, were commercial mes
sageS.
It is gratifying to be able to report
that very satisfactory progress has been
made toward bringing the organized
militia of the several states and ter
riff to equal that
the regular armament, respecting arm
ament and equipment. Officers of both
services have cheerfully and effectively
co-operated in meeting the require
mentS of the new law, both in letter
and in spirit, and their combined efforts
to bring the militia up to the high STAN
dard of the army in discipline and in
struction are meeting with excellent re-
suits.
The two national contests held at
Seagirt, N. J., and one at Fort Riley,
Kan, in 1904, have greatly stimulated
interest in target practice throughout
the National Guard of the several
states. This is evidenced by the fact
that while at Seagirt but twelve teams
in the contest, at Fort
Riley there were nineteen, and this
number would have been increased
materially had there been funds for the
payment of the expenses of visiting
teams.
The trade of the Philippine islands
for the fiscal year ending July 1, 1904,
as shown by the total exports and I'M
ports, exclusive of silver and army and
navy supplies, has fallen from a total
of Sc million dollars in the fiscal year
ending July 1, 1908, to 63 million dollars,
a reduction chiefly in the exports. This
Is explained by Governor Wright as due
to the drought and locusts which des-
troyed many of the crops. Another
very probable cause is the interference
with current business due to the
change of money from the Mexican sill
yer standard to a gold standard.
The Philippine islands have now in
operation but 120 miles of railway.
Their population is nearly million
The railroad mileage, when compared
with that of the dependencies of any
1ther country in the worlds ridiculous
v small and is a full explanation for
he lack of development of the resources
IF this archipelago. 1t fully explains
he sact that there are today in the is
ands twelve different languages
civilized Christian F'ilipinos, and large
y explains the ignorance and state OF
in which great majority OF
he people of the islands continue.
Charged as this government Is with
he duty of elevating and educating the
people of those islands, there is no high
n obligation upon it than that OF
tdopting such legislation as will attract
o the islands the investment of large
mounts of capital in the construction
If steam railroads and other means OF
asy communication. The history of all
especially in the Tropics, |
hows that it is useless to hope for the
construction of the needed rallroaos |
governmental assistance. |
Payne's Grave Decorated.
WELLINGTON Kan Nov 29-Monday