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Show SEEM TO LOSE SENSES. American Soldiers Returning Prom Islands Fall Prey to Sharks. WASHINGTON, Sept. 3.-Thc feature fea-ture of the annual report of MaJ.-Gen. Arthur MacArthur, commanding the Djpartment of California, is the strong language used In reference to the treatment treat-ment ln San Francisco of the soldiers returning from the Philippines and mustered out here. He says the Kreat-est Kreat-est matter of concern which occupies the attention of the department is to get the soldiers returning from the Philippines into possession of their money due on their final payments and safely out of the city before they can be swindled. Tho ingenuity of the criminal classes of San Francisco to effect this purpose, he says, and tho simplicity and apparent Inability of the soldiers to protect themselves are alike amazing. Everything has been done In the premises that Is possible in behalf of the soldiers' Interests. Quoting from Col. Markley, the chief paymaster, on this subject. Gen. MacArthur writes: "The stupidity and Imbecility of these 'short term' men coming from the Philippines Is almost unbelievable. Young Americans, amply able to take care of themselves anywhere, under anj circumstances while ln service abroad, seem to take leave of their senses when they arrlvo on United States soil and willingly become the prey of the sharks found In every big city. Instances and figures could be given to prove that out of 200 of these men paid off and permitted to go to the city on the evening boat, with railroad, rail-road, tickets purchased and money orders or-ders (payable to themselves at their homes), fifty would turn up next morning morn-ing robbed of everything, many dangerously dan-gerously Injured by blows and drugs. On one occasion out of thirty-one men who foolishly stayed over one night, nineteen turned up next morning beaten, beat-en, robbed of tickets, orders and clothes." : |