Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-11-07
GEN. SAFERMAN,S REPORT.
Why the Army Should BE Increased
Why the Soldiers Are Entitled to Con.
sideratiOn-Nhy Indian Disturbances
Are Not 50 Frequent as Heretofore
Court Martial Reforms Suggested, Etc.

OF War his report for the past year. He says that
the limit OF 5000 enlisted men for the army ia
fixed by law. but the fear Of exceeding this limit
or the difficulty Of enlsting men in these prosper
Gus times, has kept the army below what the hon.
or or the necessity OF the country demands, and
he most earnestly advises that the limit be
changed TO $1,000, not with the expectation of
| reaching that limit but to approximate IL and
thereby make the army more efficient without
material increase Of the cost. The experience of
the world is that OF an organized army not more
than &c per cent can be had for actual bat
tie or field service, and experience
demonstrates that $4,000 soldiers
is asked for which Will produce that result. At
present our soldiers are Overworked; the compa-
MES are too small for discipline or decent appear
| ance. and he thinks that the army has earned, by
active service this amount OF consideration from
the country.
The reports OF the department generals are sub
mit1ed with the report OF the General OF the Army,
who says, in referring to them. that the military
| history and changes Of the past year have been
| most happily uneventful and peaceful; not wholly
| Tor want OF cause but because force was close
at hand in each instance to reach and pun
Indian disturbances in the great west than
in any OF the past twenty years, partly
GERS. but in large measure due to the upeSamped
development OF the railroads in that region and
the consequent rapidity OF settlement by farmers
and graZers. who are generally prepared to defend
their own property. This is the real cause OF the
great prosperity which now blesse5 our country.
has done Its full share in accomplishing this re-
suit, and claims for them share In It's fruits.
The troops during this transition period have
lived In holes in the ground, in houses made OF
green cotton wood logs infested by vermin, In
temporary shantleS, generally without murmur,
but now this battle with poverty is over nearly
so, and he
APPEALS TO CONGRESS FOR GENEROUS TREATMENT,
for decent quarters for officers and men, to repeal
the law which forbids anything but temporary
shelters at frontier posts and to confer On the
President, the Secretary of War, or On a board OF
general officers, the power to designate the places
of strategic Importance at which to erect suitable
permanent buildings for quartering properly the
troops OF the United States; in the enforcement
OF statute law, compulsory on the army, and in the
maintaining discipline, without which an army
would be nuisance.
RECOMMENDATIONS AS TO TRIAL BY COURTS MAR.
TIAL-
According to the report Of the Judge Advocate
General there have been 1871 cases of trial by
courts martial among the enlisted men during the
past year. On this subject, Gen. Sherman says
sit is notorious In the army that 80 Of these cases
ia the 100 are for simple disorders, which, in civil
life, are punished by magistrate without jury.
court martial is both judge and jury. The easiest
correction for this condition OF facts rests with
Congress, and not with the army. The law is in
fault, for the men we enlist are the best we can
get for the price paid. believe the price is LIBERAL
when we consider the fact that soldier Is in any
event fed, clothed and reasonably maintained at
the cost OF the government The minimum pay
(sl3 per monthly being in fact pocket money, and Is
the only hold We have On him for fines and for
FIXTURES recommend that articles OF war so, 81
of the field officers court to every fort garrison,
or place where the troops OF the United States
nid IN mine OuS OF zen tnere are no
the necessity for discipline and prompt punish
me t for minor disorders" are the same.
The commanding Of1icer OF such "place,"
should have the power to detail some other ofncer
preferably the next to himself in the order OF
| command-to act as provost Judge: to hear, try,
and adjudge each case as it arises and to enter I
sentence, which sentence when approved by him
should be executed the same as in case OF garri-
kept subject to the inspection OF the department
commander, and OF any authorized inspector gene
sity for 80 many trials which are now scandal to
| the county. General courts martial will, however
under the articles OF and for the trial OF Ofc
and here invite your attention to the report Of
General Mcdowell, who instances how we cling to
Old notions prohibiting cOurts-mart1a from sitting
| after O'Clock pm, because hundred years ago,
| In England, Officers were wont to dine and get
drunk at that hour. Now, we dine when we can,
keep sober all the time, and there is reason why
courts-martal should not sit all night II necessary
! To reach verdict, the same as civil jury"
THE CONSOLIDATED REPORT OF CASUALTIES
for the past year also exhibits loss to the army
! by desertion OF 3,72l This, taken in connection
with the number Of enlistments and re.enlist
| ments G,340), is mo st serious matter, occasion
/ great loss OF money to the government and call
| Tor speedy remedy, II possible.
as exhibited by record OF trials. are various but
the chief one Is that most OF the recruits enlist In
New York or the larger cities and are transported
at the cost OF the United States to the west where
py desertlon at little risk OF capture and punish
| ment they obtain the highest wages The remedy
Will. in his belief, be found In more liberal treat
| ment OF good soldier and more certain punish
| ment OF the deSerter. During the civil war the
government paid Its private soldiers SIG Der month
and nOn-comniSSiOned officers much higher Now
| the private receives only $l3 per month
and the nOn-commissiOned officer proportionateIy
less than before, whilst the prices OF living are in
creased rather than diminished. The Services
expected or our soldiers are more laborfous and
nearly as dangerous now then, and this Is con-
Strued by them as Partially to the citizen youn-
tecr over the regular This Is felt to be an act Of
injustice to themselves, and coupled with the fact
that desertion Is gradually becoming stripped.
In the public estimation, OF its odious and
dangerous character, we ind that deser-
tons are increasing rather than diminishing
On this subject Gen. Sherman concludes o.
81 therefore recommend that the pay OF
enlisted men be restored to what, 1t was In 1885,
| and that the punishment for deseftiOn be more
clearly defined by law and increased in severity
! Aggravated cases during active campaigns or in
the Indian country should be treated as Capital
sS IA done under almost every civilized govern
ment, and as Is the case with ourselves In actual
war. The deSertton OF his comrades In danger is
anc ever should be construed a. the basest and
most hstnoua crime possible to soldier. whereas