Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1870-11-17

In true Western style was our reporter treated
this morning by him whose fame Is worldwide,
General Sherman. A query by Col. Audeureid,
+" if he would see the representative or Tsk
STAR" met with /" Certainly, L will," and the
General was found quietly turning a partsgA
into smoke. After the customary salutahon,
our reporter said: "Ah! General sent in your
report yet?' General S.-"Why, yes, It's gone
in 10 the Secretary" Reporter" But have
you some Of the figures" General Swell,
you're welcome to this statement" ihsnding
over tabular statement showing the preseu,
strength OF the army to be $3.50 officers and
enlisted men,
Scattered everywhere, probably"
"Oh, yes; Eastward, West ward; everywhere"
"But, General, how does this reduction affect
things?H
"Well, the number OF commissioned officers
must be reduced from Ass to 2,2i7, and toe
enlisted men to 3O,Oo0 by January next. accord
ing to the act of Congress
well, General, what's your opinion In regard
TO this reduction"
ooh, just simply this. II Is an acs OF Con-
gress, and has to be carried out. The army re-
duces itself gradually in that way"
"And then You have no trouble at all aboat
it?~
'sNone at all. Congress has fxea the thing"
dicial to discipline or the organization of the
army"
"Now, can't answer that. But one thing 1
do know, that is that we are losing some of gu /,
best men by it."
Chow, General 2"
"Why the reduction lie made in this way.
As far as the file goes that's easy enou Oh
Of course by putting the brakes on the recruit
ing business, but with the rank its different. A
lookout is kept and where we lind an Officer
laggard or Indifferent to the duties OF his profess
sion, he is at once ordered before an an examn-
rr's board, and If he goes through he stickr, but
If he don't you krow what comes then"
why, indeed, General what?''
"Why he goes out, and an officer Of the large
number yet unassigned is put in his place.
Large number unassigned General 2"
"Let me see docking over some figures, } about
&c.,"
"But you don't losse your best men on &C.
count OF rot passing examination"
"Oh! no; not ct all, but you see how il is. Good
men, as We have plenty Of, desire to have tome
thing permanent. A berth in the army has
always been supposed to be that, but it is com
pletely metamorphesed now. Some officers
don't know if they are safe aud can't tell where
this thing will stop. They see this one 60, and
INCH thot ohcp auu tucy TIRE Ol tne u0cer' "
and resign"
"They want then to settle down at some
thing"
Precisely, and that's why they leave. NJ
man is willing to give the best years Of his life
TO the profession and the first thing he knows
lind himself out of it, or at best feel uneasy ali
The time"
"Then General by the act OF Congress 1t is a
gradual simpering Down Of the rank aud file >
EXACTLY; that's what it is, q simmering down
You struck it that time"
shave you made any recommendations in
your report bearing on this subject, or express
sion Of your views in this particular ?''
None whatever. My report lie very short. II
is merely statement of Affairs as they are."
No suggestions at all, General? You know
the public would be more pleased to zee what
recomme1 dat.ons or suggestions you mi yht
make as to army matters than to read any otbe.
Information on TIE subject"
81 had none to make. Everything is wo X
ing well, no matter what may be the views
individuals. What Congress has said Is being
done, and done SO well that very little work is
entailed on u.s."
"Your report, then, is statement Of affairs
ashley are without suggestions ?"
"Just so. The longest part Of At is The de-
tailed table of the strength OF the army, of
which you there have the aggregate; and that's
about all the public want TO know"