The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1889-11-25
UNCLE SANS SOLDIERS.
The Secretary of War Wants to Increase
the Army-Desertions.
Sa1ecioI To The -Leraerl Cif, Nlerrs

the Army-DesertiOns.
Special to the Jersey City Netcs.
WASHINGTON, D. c., Nov. 25, 18S9.-The
report of the Secretary of War is issued
to the press for publication today. IL is a
clear and interesting sketch of the condi-
ton of our military force today. Follow
ing are some of the most interesting por-
tions:-
The major-general commanding sub
mits his report of the operations
of the army for the past year, to-
gether with the reports of sthe
division and department commanders.
These reports are full and important.
discipline, progress in instruction of the
troops, and Improvement in sanitary
arrangements, quarters. water supply,
means of recreation, and other matters
that concern their personal comfort
and welfare. He recommends the
reorganization of the ARTILLERY, making
seven regiments instead of FIVE,
and dropping the additional first lieuten-
ants, these extra subaltern officers being,
in his Judgment, no longer necessary.
fully concur in his recommendation
and deem it very important that author
ity for these new regiments snould be
granted. In view of the diminished re-
quirement for the use of the army against
the Indians, it may seem at first that no
times of the most perfect apparent secur-
ity the strength of the army should bear
some proportion to the population of the
country.
From our great increase of population
the relative strength of the army is rap
idly diminishing. In 1879, with an en-
listed strength OF not quite ten Thousand
men to population was one-eleventh of
one per cent, or onesman out Of 1,l05; in
1880, with the enlisted strength one
thousand less than it is now, one
twentieth of one per cent. At the pre-
sent time, with apepulation of sixty-hve
millions, it is thirty-nine one-thou-
sandths. or less than ene-twenty- fifth of
one per cent, being one man for every
1850 Of population. The authorized
strength of the army is now so 900, but
only 25,000 is appropriated for. On the
full basis of &c, 900, it's relative strength to
population would still be considerably
less than in 1880, and one-haf what it was
in 1870
The organization Of these two regi-
ments is required by the change In
situation, as larger proportion Of the
force is needed for sea coast defense, and
it should be made, if in no other way. by
the reorganization of two regiments from
the other arms of the service But this
is not called for, would not be the best
pO1lCJJ Alu u AOb W LII AOU DC COnGlucEONA
Whether one or both of these
new regiments may not be of col
ered men is worthy of consideration.
There are now two regiments of infantry
and two of cayalary OF colored men, and
their record for good service is excellent.
They are neat, orderly aud obedient, are
seldom brought before court-martial, and
rarely desert They would seem to be
especially well adapted for service at
some of the sea-coast Notifications, and
the discipline and instruction received
would benefit them and be public good.
Public attention has been called to the
matter of desertion, and the impression
doubtless prevails that it is on the in
crease. This is not entirely correct In
considering the statistics it must be
borne in mind that nearly three-fourths
CAST year seventy-two per cent of the
desertions occur during the first year of
enlistment, so that the percentage of de-
sertions to enlistments is the more cor
rect guide than the percentage to the
total strength.
The remedies suggested are:-
a. Make the pay of non-commissioned
officers, of infantry, cavalry, and artil-
lery, the same as now established by law
for like grades in the engineers. More
bright and ambitious young men might
be thus induced to enter the service.
a. Give the soldier an opportunity to
so improve himself that when he leaves
the service he may be better fitted for
civil life than when he entered it. Post
schools should be established where not
only instruction by lessons and lectures
should be given in matters pertaining to
military service but also in the element
airy branches of mathematics, science,
mechanics, surveying, engineering,
drawing, etc.
81 Authorize re-enlistment for one or
mo yo of pactr IYbQra a S0lHipr 10 HiG-
charged. A man will sometime re-enlist
for short time when he will not for the
full term. If the Government is not sub
jected to the cost of transportation and
instruction, the great objection to short
terms of service is removed Men re-
enlisted for short term would not desert.
az Make code Of punishment suited to
times of peace, which is less arbitrary but
more certain, a subject which L treat
elsewhere under the head of military
law.
Other points which are strongly recom-
mended by many prominent officers, and
have much to commend them, are:-
ID Authorize enlistments for three
years only. If man has not the elements
of a soldier, or is himself dissatisfied with
the service, it is better to release him
within reasonable time.
(2) For the same reason, give the
soldier in time of peace the privilege of
purchasing his discharge under we'll de-
fined regulations.
(3) Retain some part of the soldiers
pay, which he forfeits by desertion, but
which otherwise would augment his
savings at the time of his discharge.
st. Bridget's Church Fair.
The ladies of st. Bridget's Catholic
Church, on Montgomery street, will open
a fair in the church building this even
ING Mavo1. Gleyaland will ha on hand to