New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1886-12-06
THE MILITARY EST
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF WAR.

pIANS-AN ASSISTANT sFCRfTARY
WASHINGTON, Dec. 5.-The military establishment OF
the United States the people, for the fiscal year ended
June 80 $50 9O3 SO. The appropriation for the War
Department for year Is i6027 $50 IS, and
Mr. Endcot estimates that for the year ending Juno
So 1883, he will require $is,26s,s35 ST. The annual re
port OF the Secretary Of War. which will 90 10 the Capitol
tomorrow with the Presidents message, gives the
Army footing rs follows Generals. ten general staff.
573 officers and 1912 enlisted men; ten regiments OF
cavalry All officers, 6942 men five regiments OF artill-
ery 272 officers 2.473 men, twenty-five regiments OF in
fantry s36 officers 1921 Indian scouts sos: de-
tachments recruiting parties etc. 2003 making total
of 1903 officers and % GAG enlisted about Off
Ger to eleven The Division OF the Atlantic has had
practically nothing do. but the General commanding
recommends the repair barracks and quarters which
are in condition. In the Division OF the Missouri 10
mporant changes occurred except the transfer OF the
district OF New-MeXico 10 the Department OF
Arizona and the transfer OF Brigadier General Miles
to the same department in place OF Brga1ierGeneral
Crook. The Indians under the guardianship OF this
division gave little trouble during the year The Division
of the Pacific found its chief employment in suppressng
the riots at Seattle. Washington Territory. and pro-
tccting the Chinese the Pacific coast
The work of the year was done by the
Department Of Arizona all the troops and military
sources OF which employed in pursuing and captur
ing Geronimo and his band of outlaws.
GENERAL MILES AND GERONIMO.
The troubles with the Apaches began with the
execution OF the Lieutenant Generals instructions to
pursue capture destroy the hostics under Geronimo
The first misfortune the death OF Captain Emmett
Crawford, which is thus described:
body OF Mexican soldiers attacked Crawfords camp.
ot oar SCOUT The oces succeeded In stop
ping our iera nrs ~ nop' M ,'o9u Torn si arwar cr
parey While was progress suddenly and without warn
mortaiiy AMI the interpreter general opn
d ss "O svS men Known Vas '1.
Ths dsny all the made by our
aS Ss s S Ssg no r t ad'@as f
dcpraIions alleged committed 10y Crawiords
command SoaVns AZ" ncw En"ng ' De
he meeting between General Crook ana Geronimo took
place March % The General demanded the uncondi-
ioual surrender OF the Indians hut the only propositions
they would entertain were these:
T 5sey sSGnG s sns cent Of & r m ns as @ Ss
2 they should all to the reservation ON The old
~ TO the warpath with all its attending horrors
The were accepted, and the party started for Fort
the mountains. General Sheridan became dis.aiis
ned Gener ocSos r asked The TO o Se
Lieutenant General to General Miles follows
1.-THE President directs that the greatest be taken to
IN command and that the most OPERATIONS look
ing a u, oS lie does not Wish to embaSsss Won by une
taking at TINS distance 10 give specific Instructions IN relation
TO Suggest The necessity OF making active and proTnent use
OF the regular troops OF your command
General Miles began his campaign with great zeal and
energy and Geronimo surrendered To him Sepember4
with his band. The report then says:
The a of G e ca to the fs'
was supposed 70 Nc unconl.t oaa, 70 tis dispatch the
President replied that all the hosties should be safely kept
until they cond b. tried oT their crimes or
otherwise ispose Of rhe :t ntmaon that The surrender
by teegraphc advices ron General Miles that The In,
the country and IN pursuance OF This plan General
was IN direct osiiol to the Presidents orders General
stanley directed the War Depart nent to stop these
further orders. The terms and conuons at-ning this
oP g We intended nv the President @ S m e
10Th day oct11sr orisrs were issued. bv direction
ad ' cepS VAN lin should he ns s ro MpIS s
Antonio Tex under proper guar to Fort Pckens. Florida
Beyond the statement that General Miles acted in direct
opposition orders Of the President criticism is
made Of him By tho Secretary OF War.
HARB0K AND COAST DRFRvcRs.
The report calls renewed attention to the defenceess
condition of the seacoast and lake frontier says
We have a single problem defendin. our cities
how best to resist and silence the armored SHIPS
guns and mortrs OF moi,rn construction. 1t only
accomplished By guns OF equal force to those which
o submarine mines Laid in tho navisabs sl RSSS'
both GUARDED, and projected that they efficient
progress any material injury wrlarmored shp
The OF gun work time ana Of long
tue ana canuo be estemporzed when wanted Torpeoes
may be more QUICKLY TsS. Iat s a 'ime and money ARE
formed writer on he subject thai II IS matter OF doubt
does the channels past sandy Hook alone
Wlne have been differences opinion in regard
10 preparing plate Tor ortincato-
recurring III, a .as .y s snG there no
OF fUying our great hafbors The preparation
for rihe motas equally neces
ss cs ss s sfrA before the a rms % aor and can
would invite attention TO The necessity for kee the
their duties corps able
place torpedoes position before enemy could
rvein ront OF one OF our mp2an harbos also TO
call attention 10 III needs o. The Engineer school
cn al Mhles f0nt II so iha ursl Importance ia, ap
propriaOus should he made requested iOr the hoo
water sewase % Iarteis i9r oieoi aud the other
gress
PROMOTIONs-OEDNANcE.
The Secretary recommends that examination a. a
Of ascerlanng illness for promotion should be
tended the line OF the Army without distinction he
tween the different Of the service. The
necessity such examination" he says has already
been demonstrated in two OF the staff corps by the failure
OF officers TO pass their examinations and their subse-
ouent suspension from promotion while the rule of pro
motion by seniority, unqualified by examination
10 illness frequently allows the promotion, In the
unit for service. such investigation We have been
able 10 make in this Department fails 10 disclose any
niorty alone Is the rule OF promotion would therefore
suggest consideration OF Congress that general
law enacte with provisions respecting
similar those which govern promotion In the Navy,
with such changes and limitations, In regard 10 the
Der OF examinations ana 10 wnal grades OF rank ana 10
be considered necessary Ia applying the law 10 Tie
Army"
Regulations In the matter OF ordnance the report says:
hoped Congress will take action during next
session 70 place the Array on an equal footing with The NAVY
Board earnestly recommended tat the Government esaDsh
Navy The Board on Forthcsuons or other Dsfsnces
dorsed this recommendation aud Congress partial
failure Of the Senate b % become law. the com
pslsn and test O. ts various enpet,%snta guns e
risses Tor existing guns and nearly all me Work Of me ORD