Omaha daily bee., 1917-05-08
Our Colonial Troops
BIZ Frederic J. Hasktn

Washington, May s.-The guarding OF our
outlying possessions in time OF war has always
been considered serious problem. Numerous
| hypotheses have been built upon the possibility
OF the seizure of the Philippines by Japan; the
loss OF Hawaii or Of Porto Rico. Alaska has
never Inquired extensively in such prophecies, al
though occasionally it has been suggested that
the tremendous natural resources OF this terri
tory might be desired by Japan. In this war the
Chief cause of anxiety is Hawaii which has long
beer, coveted by Germany. The War department
IS taking no chances. 1t has ordered all United
| States possessions to prepare.
| Fortunately one of the chief features of the
American colonial policy has been the organizing
OF the natives for home defense into local con-
stabulary or national guard, so that the depart
| ment has at its disposal large body of colonial
| troops This is with the exception of Alaska.
Alaska has never had home militia of any kind
In the Philippines native constabulary does
nearly all police and military duty from the cap
turing OF outlaw insurrectionists to the settling
OF petty family squabbles The maintenance Of
|. such constabuary by the United States govern
ment has been criticised by some persons, who
think that the work would be more efficiently
done by American troops, but the results obtained
seem to warrant the policy. In speaking of this
native organization Mr.. Dean C. Worcester, long
an member, of the Philippine commission, says:
ime and again single officer and handful
OF men have taken chances that in almost any
other land would have won them the Victoria
Cross, the Legion Of Honor or some similar dec
grafton. Here their only reward has been the
sense of duty we'll done"
According to the latest figures, the Fili,;ro
constabulary now numbers 100 companies, with
two ofhcers and fifty men in each, but since the
war it is proposed to increase the size of each
company Every soldier is provided with neat
uniform and rife; he is well fed-sometimes for
the hrst time in his life-and after few months
he tc
strength-far superior to his civilian fellows His
position also raises his status in the community,
which heeds what he has to say and does as he
tells them. Thus, for diplomatic reasons the Fill
pno makes the best policeman Of the Philippines, |
and Tor economical reasons also. An American |
solder, II you consider food and clothes in addi-
ton to salary costs 81, 400 year; the Filipino |
costs $5o5O This difference is largely due to |
food. The average meal of the American soldier |
who eats imported food which has been packed |
with ice costs 243 cents, while that of the Fill
pima, who eats the native food Of the islands,
wlthous ice costs los cents.
In times of peace the Filipino constabulary
not only performs the police duty of the islands.
but assists in the maintenance Of Quarantine; II
assists in collecting the internal revenue; it fights
nres, It exterminates locusts, which are one of
the greatest pests of the islands and in volcanic
eruptions, typhoons and any other danger it
never has to be urged to do its part In time
OF war it will constitute valuable military asset
tor the defense OF these colonies.
In Hawaii the National Guard ful6lls practi-
caily the same duties that the Filipino constabu-
larry does in the Philippines. As has been said
Hawaii appears to be the chief concern of the
government in the present situation, and during
the last year this organization has been increased
70 flve times its former size. 1t now includes
infantry, cavalry, coast artillery, engineers signal
corps and hospital corps. There is an armory
AZ Honolulu where the troops are drilled in spe-
cial war tactics and since the recent recruiting
campaign other armores and storehouses have
been opened up in almost every village
The Hawaiian is an enthusiast when II comes
to soldering. He, too, appreciates the Gift Of
new. uniform and good food and shows It bv be-
coming an expert marksman In the rifle com
petition held at State camp near Jacksonville.
ria., IN October, 1915, the National Guard OF
1aWaii hnished in twentysixth place out of forty-
our contesting teams and Honoulan BY the
lame OF Sergeant James Ho finished in twenty-
xth place in the national individual match, win
ing bronze medal. If the Germans attemnt 70
axe Hawaii they will have to kill the Hawaiian
National Guard frst-a considerable undertaking
ven for Germans '"""s {
The same is true of the Porto Rico militia q
which is also made up of natives There the Deo. .
ne are very poor and job in the army no mat q
er now dangerous, appears in the light ofsolid 6
omtort Under the influence of good food proper f
iothing and drills the Porto Rican becomes
trong and healthy and he is naturally brave.
ihese are the "colonials" upon which the !
'hited States may depend now that it is at war.