West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1888-11-29
Annual ncpors OF tho U, $. Army.

Major General J. NJ Schoneld, commando
ing tho United States Army. has made his
first annual report TO tho Secretary OF War.
The past year. he says, has been one of poace
among the Indians formerly 80 troublesome
in the Division Of the Pacific.
The troops OF the Division OF tho Atlantic
have been fully aud constantly occupied,
especially the artillery, with heavy seacoast
guns The progress already made gives
grounds for confidence that the troops viii bo
fully prepared TO handle effectively weapons
OF modern construction and OF the largest
calibres as soon as such weapons can be made
ready tO be placed In their hands A
moderate sncreass i'm the numerical strength
In the force 10 handle tho new guns
VIII be Indispensable. General Scho-
made In his last report for tho Division
OF the Atlantic, that two regiments
be added 70 the artillery, without any ma.
terial change in the number OF officers, ne-
cessitating the addition OF about five thou
sand TO the number OF enlisted men TO tho
number now allowed by law.
Attention is called Go the report OF tho
commanding officer OF the infantry and cav
airy school, stating that number OF young
officers have, without adequate excuse failed
20 meet the probes sOnal requirements
ot that institution, and submitting that
those officers have proved themselves incom-
pe,ent and are thus Geharred from regular
promotion. Ho recommends that no officer
who has been officially reported by his conf
manding officer for disability or other incon-
potency shall be promoted 20 higher grade
until he shall have passed a satisfactory ex-
animation He suggests aaRn important nddi
lion 10 tho duties now performed by army
officers detailed for general military educa-
tonal purposes 10 colleges that thoy may
practically instruct I'm sea cost defence such
portion OF tho National Guard as may bs
Organizcd for that branch OF tho public ssr-
Tlce. Referring 70 the Notifications
past twenty years tho necessities of
the service In the Indian country
have caused tho posts along the seaboird
and northern lakes 10 bc correspondingy
neglected. The barracks md quarters as
well as tho Notifications have been left in
many cases TO fall into state Of decay. Tho
ttne and circumstances now SOON peculiarly
favorable 10 placing the sen coast and from
tiers OF the country In n state OF security
Reference Is made 70 tho impairment OF the
efficiency OF the army through absence Of
officers from their regiment, or corps. II ~
said that the service would be greatly bone
fted " such officers as are disabled ,ould bo
retired and their places filled by young and
active men.
The report says that there were 2l3j de'ar-
tions from the army during the past year
and that the average OF desertlons for each
OF the last five years were 1913 por cent of
the entire enlisted strength CT 5i.5 per cent.
Turing the whole period.
General Schofeld recommends that nt least
half the pay OF soldiers hereafter enlisted be
retained until they have fulfilled their con
tract OF service-makng exception in tho
cases OF men known to devote their pay TO
the support or dependent relatives, and th1t
IL be made practicable in time OF peace for
an enlisted man TO dissolve his contract OF
enlistment In n manner honorable 10 himself
and just TO the Government by obtaining a
discharge, with forfeiture OF so much OF his
retained pay as may ba necessary to rom-
bnrso the United SITES fo- cxpc-ses.
Instructions I'm rifle and carbine pl actice
have been successfully conducted during the
year with favorable results and Ii is now
proposed 20 require increased attention 10
pistol practice.
In conclusion General schoaeld recon-
hnends liberal appropriations for the Signal
Service proper and tho strengthening OF tho
military posts on or near tho groat Indian
reservations
In report TO the major general command
Ing Ad1utant-General Drum calls attention
10 the evil Of desertion, which. he says, re-
suits principally from dissatisfaction with
army life and It's restraints, restleaness With
recklessness OF obligations assumed. and n
desire 10 secure transportation 10 distant and
supposed favorable points In tho West De
sertiOn, he says, can never be eradicated, but
may be greatly lessened by the adoption OF
remedial measures such as the reduction
OF the term OF service from five 20 three
years and the right 10 purchase discharge.
During the past year there were o. no appIi-
cants for enlistment. 1907 Of whom were re-
lccted. The accepted recruits embraced 721
colorod, 4lB natives and 1851 foreigners.
The Adiutant General says that notwith.
standing every effort has been made, 10 far
rs the recruiting appropriation would war.
rant n secure the necessary recruits to an the
army, 10 Is eth moro than 1900 below the
authorized strength OF 25. 900 enlisted men.
and many OF the regiments are greatly re-
ducod.