In addition there are also in the Philippines 172 volunteer surgeons, appointed under section 18 of the act of February 2, 1901, and 98 officers and 4,973 native scouts.]
Of course, now that the war in the Philippines is practically over, many more men have returned to the United States.
In reading Mr. Root's report, nothing impresses one more than the splendid arrangement for the better education of army officers, not only as to military tactics, but for full intellectual equipment. Enlisted men who fit themselves by study, and retain good characters by passing complete civil-service examination, become eligible to official positions among the regulars. Also officers of volunteer regiments by the same process become eligible to official positions in the regular army.
Mr. Root recommended that officers of the National Guard, or officers of former volunteers, be permitted in their vacations to study with regular army officers at West Point, and at the army post schools, so that we may never again be caught without competent officers for volunteer regiments. His report contains full accounts of the forming of the new government in Cuba, the Cuban Constitution, a full account of all the troubles in the Philippines, the wonderful work accomplished by the signal corps, the territorial and military divisions of the Philippines, and recommendations as to the proper currency and system of banking necessary in our Oriental possessions.
He recommended the purchase of the lands of the friars, who could not continue to hold their possession peacefully on account of the hostility of the people, whom they have grossly wronged.
His account of the very valuable unexplored timber lands of the islands, and the industries needed, made his report of great practical importance.
Men of the United States army have always been noted for their high standard of honor. The country believes in the integrity of the officers of the regular army. When any of them fail themselves and betray the trust imposed in them, it causes a shock to public feeling such as malfeasance in no other official position ever produces. To an unusually large extent they have been worthy of the trust reposed in them by a great nation.