The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1889-11-25
The Secretary of War Tells Congress
How the Service May be
Improved
Desertions, Their Cause and Some
Suggestions For Their Pre-
vention Presented.
The Benefits Of summer Camps Ma
tional Guard Com De-
fenses aud Court Martials.

I
of the secretary of war shows the expendi-
lures Of the past fiscal year were $i6,65i,l2l;
for the current fiscal year,
$33, ,9S9,2sO. The difference is due mainly
to the reduction in appropriations for pub
lie works including rivers and harbors.
Estimates for the next fiscal year are S4i,-
l57,9IS, of which over eleven millions are
for public works. The secretary concurs in
the recommendation of the major general |
commanding for the reorganization Of the
artillery. making seven regiments instead
of five, and dropping the additional first
lieutenants for three battery battalions |
for infantry. Referring 10 the re-
tired list, the secretary calls attention
to the fact that now forty-eight officers are
incaJacitated who cannot be placed upon
the limited retired list, which is full. The
secretary recommends the list be extended
to $50, or special act be passed authoriz-
ing the retirement of fifty officers
On the subject Of desertions, the secre-
tary summarizes the department reports
given heretofore i'm these dispatches. lie
calls attention 10 the fact that desertion
from colored regiments the past year was
only2 per cent, as against from II To q
per cent. from white regiments. An in
vestigation does not disclose the fact that
i'll treatment prevails to any apprecinble
extent. The employment of enlisted men
in ordinary labor cannot be wholly re-
moved, but recruits should be made fully
acquainted with its existence. Unnecessary
restraint should be removed and u soldiers
life in post he made ms
pleasant and comfortable as possible;
that great care should be exercised in re
cruiting and 1t is Il question whether locat-
ing recruiting offices in or near large cities
secures the best material the subject of
regimental recruiting now being an expert
ment in New York. The pith OF the whole
question is TO make the service worth seek
ing, and then enough good men will seek
aud stay in IT, There il now little incen-
tive for young and intelligent men To make
profession of soldering. The hope Of
achieving commission il but slight, and
the distance between the highest grade non
commissioned officer and commissioned
officer il far too great, In the secretary's
judgment. He submits n number of rec
concentrations, among which are the fol-
lowing: To make the non-cummissioned
officers in the infantry, cavalry. and artil-
lery the same M engineers. More bright.
ambitious young men might be thus induced
to enter the service. Give the soldier an
opportunity to 80 improve himself that when
he leaves the service he may be better fitted
for civil life than when he entered
II. Post schools should be established;
90 authorize re-enlistments for one OF more
years at the post where n soldier il dis
chnrged make the code of punishment
suited TO times Of pence less arbitrary, but
more certain. The secretary also calls at
tention 10 the recommendation Of many Of
ficers that the term of enlistment be made
three years. Give the men the privilege Of
purchasing their discharge. etc.
Favorable mention IL made of the results
Of summer camps, troop and service schools:
and the suggestion is made that n battalion
OF apprentices might be of assistance 10 the
army. as 10 the navy.
The discipline aud efficiency of the national
guard is highly commended, and Congress is
urged 90 increase appropriation therefor.
The secretary treats the subject Of eNanlina-
tiOns for promotion in the army M length,
and says a system of n0n-competilive tx
nminations with well defined limitations ia
founded on good sense and supported by
our experience M we'll as that of those coun-
tries where efficiency in a standing army il
held in the highest estimation. To give
many young men who have Joined the ma
tional guard chance 10 gain commission
in the army. would be n proper recognition
and encouragement of that organization.
The strenuous objections 90 plans mnde
for coast defenses the secretary aays, are
born of thoughtlessness. Although our
position and traditions Of national diplo-
macy tend 10 the maintenance of peace, our
defenseloss condition will invite attack. He
submits as basis 10 start from that no
time be lost in placing Washington, New
York and at least one port on the Pacillc
consi in the best possible state of defense.
How rapidly the work shall be carried ON
until itembracea every important vulnerable
point IL the only question. In the secre-
tary's view progress cannot be- too rapid.
Special attention is directed 10 the reports
Of Gems. Schofeld and Miles. Our general
prosperity points TO the present as am aus
picious time 20 do pressing work, and CON
gress il urged to make liberal apprOpria-
tions at once. The cost Of maintaining a
thorough system Of defensive works is com
paratiyely small. II will require only 500
men 90 garrison defensive works in time of
peace. This will be sufficient to care for
the armament and serve Ms n nucleus for
the instruction of the militia in the sen
coast states, which must be relied upon to
supply the men needed In war,
and which is estimated at $1,000. A
very important opportunity for this
instruction should be provided nj once.
This offers 10 the national guard Of the sea
board states new and attractive field for
drill and study, and il is believed they will
take pride in training themselves 10 man
defense works nc their own ports.
Referring 20 military law. the secretary
snys TINT during the year there were lt,bsl
cases tried before inferior courts martini in
an army whose effective strength is "a, ,ll0
men. This proves there ia a vital defect
somewhere A revision Of the articles of
war is recommended; also that provisions
be mado for the punishment Of minor OF
tenders, under we'll defined restrictions,
without the Intervention Of court mar.
tinl.
Attention is called 10 the report Of the sur
gcon-genernl ON the unsatisfactory condition
OF the hospital corps, due chilly 10 the made
quncyof pay, good men refusing 10 re-enlist.
Work of tIte postaUipe