New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-11-02
TO PROTECT THE SEABOARD.
GENERAL HOWARD CALLING ATTENTION
TO NEW AND POWERFUL EXPLOSIVE.
srccrsTING REMEDIES FOR DEsERTIoNs FROM
TIE ARMY-vARIoUs RECOMMENDATIONS.

SUGGESTING REMEDIES FOR DEsERTIoNs FROM
TIE ARMY-vARIoUs RECOMMENDATIONS
washington, Nov. The report OF General .. y.
Howard commanding the Division OF the Atlantic 10
the Acknowledgement for tho year ended september
On 1880 calls attention the lack OF armament of
nearly all seaeoast stations. "our needs I'm this
directons he says "have boen so often and recently
reported on by my predecessors that deem 1t useless
IN do mofo than call attention to the subject again
The time has undoubtedly come when some positive
action I'm the matter Of permanent defences Is dc
manded.r He calls attention TO "Americanlte' the
invention Of young Russian, formerly boan.st of the
Point Barrow expedition which Is The safest and best
explosive the General knows. 1t has been adopted
by the Standard OIL Company for " shooting its wells
With such powerful agent the General says the
problem OF coast defence is resolved almost into one
Of range, and great seaboard cities can be made
comparatively safe without excessive expenditure
on the subject OF assertions General Howard says :
at is scarcely possible to so adjust the workings
of a military institution, necessarily autocratc, that
and every subordinate shall feel that Its ethics
and conduct identical with those that govern In
civil life. 1t Il my belief that In the majority OF
cases the reasons which cause to desert are
frivolous, and are as varied as the different tent
peraments OF the deserters. Were apprehension ana
punishment made certain for this offence as for
petty crimes I'm civil life. but serious reasons
would cause TO commit an act the result OF
which terminates in almost certain penal servtude.
As Il is the chances OF punishment are altogether
too few. I repeat my former recommendation for an
increase I'm the reward offered for tho apprehension
OF deserters, and a charge in the law which will
enable least all civil officers OF the Government,
States and Territories 10 arrest and conne this class
OF offenders. To remove all cause OF discon
tent shorten the first term Of enlistment TO two or
three years. and institute some system by which men
I'm emergency may their connection
with the service without dishonor TO
thcmselve and with justice to the
Government. II might be we'll 10 improve the ration
Increase or, at least, give It more varcty-though
believe In the MAN, that soldiers are well fed ana
that no serious discomfort arises from insunciency
or poorness of food
General Howard Joins General Crook in recommend
Ing that the infantry OF the service be reorganzed
bv giving the regiments three battaons Of four com
panies each. He recommends also that the present
rifle for infantry and cavalry be exchanged for
magazine gun The proposed reorganization OF the
artillery branch OF the Army as special corps,
General Howard says. presents fata oDJecuons. tpr
small arm practice, General Howard recommends the
purchase OF a range Fishers Island lie leneWs MS
Recommendation that graduated code OF punishhen,s
for the guidance of courts martial be estaDnsncu
OF service prerequisite TO eligibility from thirty 10
tventy- five wears that company COOKS Do enlployeu
and the soldiers ratons improved that post caheens
be exempted from the operation OF the revenue laws,
so far as payment OF license Is cohcerheu' am n0
makes certain other suggestions. ,,, ,
General Howard reports that the dlsclplne anu
health of the troops have been maintained dullng nv
year that the general and personal star have ahOue
him cheerful and efficient aid in tho performance OF an
required duties and that officers Of the line presene
an excellent record for the year.