The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1884-11-11


WASHINGTON, Nov. 10.-Lieut. Gen. Sheri-
dan. in bis annual report to the Secretary OF
War, Gays:
Although the Indian question SO far as hard fight
ing is concerned is nov practically eliminated from
military considerations the control of the Indian
reservations in sparsely settled sections and the en-
cour agement which should be given to actual set
tiers involve conditions in the settlement of which
the services of the military in the cannot be
safely dispensed with Tor many years to come The
policy of abandoning the small frontier outposts
when no longer needed, and the concentration of
their garrisOns at larger aud permanent stations
has been steadily continued far the appropri-
ations for BARRACKS and qnai ters would permit his
gradual concentration is already beginning to show
beneficial effects in greatly increased economy of
supply and in the improved discipline of the troops.
Gen. Sheridan reports a gratifying progress in
craftsmanship among the soldiers and says that it
would now be impossible for line of battle to
stand up before skirmish line composed of our
qualified marksmen. With respect to the subject
OF improved guns. the General be ieves that the
danger of war with foreign nations remote,
we wait still further improvement before nal
1y adopting some good, reliable standard magazine
gun. The Lieutenant General expresses great in
terest III the national guard of the States and for
the thorough organization and efficiency of these
troop be thinks Congress should oesignate the
number of en- which each State should have, aud
should provide for them arms and camp and garri-
son equipage whenever the State governments
themselves appropriate substantial sums OF mo- ey
for the support Of their systems
in such manner that these sums cannot be affect
ed by party legislation.
Excepting for our ocean commercs and for our
seaboard cities he does not think we should be much
alarmed about the probability of war with foreign
powers since 1t would require more than million
and half men to make Campaign upon the land
against us. and to transport from beyond the
that Lumber of soldiers with all their munitions
of war, their cavalry, artillery and infantry if
not moested by us while in transit would de-
mand a large part of The shipping of all Europe
He earnestly invites immediate attention to The
perfectly defenceltss condition of our seaboard
cities and their harbors against foreign naval
tack Although submarine torpedoes nred by cleo
faof
ure OF harbor defences still unless well protected
By fortheations they may be easily removed
by an enemy or be rendered comparatively harm
less by cutting the wires leading to them, and he
urgently recommends the early beginning of gen.
eIal system of sea coast fortihcations, to be con
sIructed in accordance with the requirements
involved by The latest Improvements in heavy
artillery.
The General calls attention to the sigus of other
troU bles which, however, will probably not come
upon US if both capital and labor will only be
servative. Still it should be remembered that de-
structive explosives easily made aud that
banks, United States sub-treasuries, public build
ings and large mercantile houses be readily
demolished and the commerce of entire cities de-
stroyed by an infuriated people with the means
carried with perfect safety to themselves in the
pockets of their clothing.
General Sheridan continues: The discipline of
the army is excellent and | have no schemes to
present Tor its reorganization. Most of the pro-
jects now advanced for army reorganization are
than upon any real need of increase in regimental
efficiency. If Congress would only relieve the
army OF all otncerS VINO are now lncapacltateu Tor
duty and whose cases have been passed upon by
the retiring board, promotion would soon become
rapid enough to satisfy all who not unreason-
able upon this subject. The cavalry should be fos
tered and wel-cared fer. If Improvements in guns
ofsevery calibre continue to be rapid during
the past IS or 20 years and good magazine rifle
be finally attained battles will become destruct
i've to human life that ne ther side ia will be
able to stand up before the other These
Armies will then the spade. .pick and chow
ell and both sides will themselves by intrench-
ments aud any troops daring make exposed at
tack will be annihilated. The old methods of re-
duciug fortified places by means of regular ap.
proaches will be overturned by the revolution caus
ed by introduction of modern explosives The larg
force will then have to rcle the smaller one
and the length OF time the besieged can hold out
wi directly depend upon their supplies of food
and ammunition. This condition of affairs will too
! greatly prolong wars ana the La ural result will
be that eventually The character itself of warfare
will become changed. the questions at issue be-
tween countries will then have be settled, either
| by arbitration or by waging war under new code
| on an enemys commerce upon land. For this kind
If warfare men upon horseback will be indispensa
hle since then we have 30 good place at Fort
Rilav for II purt oses OF cavalry. establishment
worthy of a." onr eat country should be developed
here and our cavalry tJ 1ss
when needed ia the new pha4- "isN "'S'- A-NS
assume in the future.