The Delta independent., 1888-11-27
State Of the Army.

WARRINGTON, D. c., Nov. 10
Major General Schoheld, commanding the
army, in his annual report says that tho
past year has been one Of peace among the
Indians, formerly 50 troublesome. In the
Division Of the Pacific troops have been
fully oocapied in rife practice and other
duties Stimulating those Of actual war. In
tho Division Of the Missouri with the sim
gle exception, consisting Of the suppression
Of disorder among the Crow Indians) the
use Of troops has been limited to the pro
vention Of possible trouble with Indian
tribes. The troops of the Division Of The
Atlantic have been fully and constantly 90
cupied. A system of practice of artil-
lery with heavy sea-ooast guns has been
steadily developed and now adopted for the
entire sea-coast of the country. The zeal
and efficiency displayed by officers and
men, and tho progress already made give
grounds for confidence that the troops will
be fully prepared to handle effectively
weapons Of modern construction and Of the
largest calibre as soon as such weapons can
be made ready to be placed in their hands.
General Schofield recommends that two
regiments be added to the artillery without
any material change in the number Of ON
GERS, necessitating the addition Of about s.
600 to the number enlisted now allowed by
law. Referring to Notifications, General
Schoheld says that during the past twenty
years the necessities Of the service in the
Indian country have causee posts along the
seaboard and Northern frontiers to be cor
respondingly neglected. Time and circum-
stances now seem peculiarly favorable to
placing the sea coast and frontiers Of the
country in . state Of security.
Reference Is made to the impairment Of
tho efficiency Of the army through the ab
senoe Of officers from their regiments or
corps. It Is said that the service would be
greatly benefited If such officers as are dis
abled could be retired and their places filed
by young and active men.
There were 2,436 desertions from the
army during the past year and the average
Of desertions for each Of the last five years
Il 10.S per cent. General Schofeld
recommends that the reward for
the arrest of deserters be increased
to 800, to be taken out of his retained
pay; that all United States marshals, sher-
ins, police officers, etc, be authorized to
arrest and deliver deserters; that at least
half the pay Of soldiers hereafter enlisted
be retained until they have fulfilled their
context Of service, making exceptional
cases Of men known to devote their pay to
the support Of dependent relatives, and that
1t be made practicable in time Of peace for
an enlisted man to dissolve his contract Of
enlistment in q manner honorable to him
self and Just to the Government by obtain
ing discharge with forfeiture Of 20 much
Of his retained pay As may be necessary to
reimburse the United States for expenses.
In his report to the Major General, Ad-
futant General Drum also calls attention to
the evil Of desertion. which may be greatly
lessened by the adoption Of remedial
measures, such as . reduction Of the term
Of service from Ave to three years, and the
right to purchase discharge.
Notwithstanding every effort has been
made 50 far n recruiting appropriation
would warrant to secure necessary re-
cruits to MI the army, it is still 1,s0o b.
low the authorized x, 900 enlisted men, and
many regiments arc greatly reduced.