The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1889-09-07
DEsERTERs FROM THE ARMY.
Plans of oncersto Better the Condition Of
the Privates.

the Privates.
WASHINGTON, Sept. 6.-The subject Of
desertion from the army will be treated AZ
length in the forthcoming report of the
secretary of war. II is one that has had
Secretary PrOctor's earnest consideration
from the beginning, as well as that of the
adjutantgeners's stan. Various changes
in camp and barrack life, with view to
increasing the soldiers comfort and inter
est In his command, has been instituted;
notably the consolidated mess and cAnteen
systems. These have worked well
wherever tried, and the result has been that
the percentage OF deseruODs has been de-
creased since 1883.
of the desertions 95 per cent occur
among men serving their hrst and second
years OF enlistment In May las Major
Thomas Schwan. assistant a0JutAnt gen
eral, under instructions from Secretary
Proctor. made z tour of inspection OF the
recruiting depots at Davidis Island, y. Y,
Columbus, O1iO, and Jefferson Barracks,
Missouri. The major Is himself soldier
who came from the ranks, and his report
TO the adjutsnt general contains numerous
suggestions. including the draft OF bill
PIE spared by him last winter after close
study OF the situation, calculated IN bis
opinion to lessen the evil OF desertiOn-
Major Schwan says: 'sWhatever causes
OF ciseOntent may at one time have existed,
such as lack ct provision or care for the
physical comfort and needs of the enlisted
soldier, or unreasonable demands and unfair
or harsh treatment, they have been re-
moved so far as Il is in the power of the
military authorities to do so. and cases are
rare. where the failure OF the government
10 make good its obligations can be truth
fully alleged affOrdiDg even the semb-
lance of justification for desertiOn.n
Among other things Major Schwau's bill
provides safeguards against readmissiOn TO
the service OF ''repeaters" or 10 profession
al deseTter. Another provision of the bill
is that one-third of q soldiers pay for the
first year shall be retained until his dis
charge and forfeited If he does not serve out
his term. IL also provides for the adoption
Of the British custom Of permitting
enlisted men 10 purchase their discharges.
Acting A6jutant General Mckeever
and other officers of the stad have, at Sec
retary Proctor's request, submitted a
mrmOranda on the subject Of desertiOns. |
Acting Adjt Gen. McKeever says, in his
opinion, the chief causes of desertIons are
the disappointment at the realities of mill
tary life, the employment OF soldiers on |
laOOriOus work without extra pay, the in
equality OF punishments IS Inflicted by |
cOurts-martial, bad company admtnistra-
tiOn, tyrAnnical conduct sometimes to
wards enlisted men by officers, and more |
especially first serReants, and too often |
unnecessary restraints imposed on the |
soldiers. He also believes the largest |
number of deserters are American born.
The following remedial measures are sug-
geSted: Limit the term OF service in first |
enlistment TO three years and re-enlistmeDt |
TO i've years. Grant discharges according |
70 length of service. Discharge men found |
TO be incorTigioly bad, without character,
and thus bar them from re-entTy into ser |
vice. SecuT- a graded code of punishment |
for the guild nee OF urtsmartial; secure q |
better class f DOn-commissiOned officers, |
and especially first seTgeants, by increas
ing their pas make the punishment of de- |
serters more certain than at present by in
creasing the r ward.