The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1890-11-07
OUR BOYS IN BLUE
General SchOdeld'S Annual Report 10
The Army
AS TO OUR COAST DEFENSES
Plans for Increasing the Efficiency
OF the Country's Defenders
How Military Matters
Stand.

4
Schofleld, commanding the United States
army, In his annual report, says, in part
ut may be asserted that all that Is now
requisite for the final and peaceful settle
ment OF the great Indian problem is the
wise, just and humane treatment OF the
Indians upon their reservations and pres
ence, or the proximity Of such military
force as will deter the young and restless
among them from attempting to initiate
the deeds OF their ancestors. The time
has now come when the future
positive or probable military necessi-
ties Of tho country should dictate the
military policy. The army should be
SO stationed that il may be prepared at
the shortest notice TO respond 10 any call
which may be made upon its services, and
at the same time 10 assist in all prac-
tcable ways IN preparing the militia OF
the several states, or national guards, for
active service in time Of need.
ltis believed TO be so manifest 10 all
who will consider the subject, that dem
onstration is unnecessary, that the inn
portant sea board cities should be SO forti-
fled, armed and manned as TO be capable
OF self defense against the attack
OF any foreign fleet, and each
OF the great sea coasts OF
the United States shouldbe provided with
an adequate feet of sca-going battle
ships, capable of attacking upon the
broad ocean any hostile fleet which might
attempt TO blockade our harbors or de-
stroy our commerce.
IL the important sea ports are ade-
quately fortified and armed the home
fleet, il is presumed, will be sufficient for
each OF the great oceans.
The military policy Of the United States
will never require such defense on the
northern frontier as proposed by the for
tiflcation board of 1885, and carefully Sc
lected garrisons as nucleus for a force
in emergency are suggested instead.
Satisfactory progress has been made at
| Waterveilt In the fabrication of expert
mental guns and mortars of the highest
type.
General Schofleld describes at length
the straits into which the department has
been put by past legislation, reducing the
number OF privates in the army.
He wants the limit raised at
least 5000. and says without
this number the peace organization can.
not be made thoroughly effective, and
cannot be relied upon for service, which
may Immediately be required of the regu.
lar troops in any emergency, and before
the ranks can be filed by recruits or
volunteers called into the field. In this
connection the general suggests whenever
| snah inaranGA ha paala t,r.rtatAts h..
made for an organization of a large bat
talon of young men between the ages OF
l6 and 20 years, selected with re-
spect TO their intelligence and coed char
acter, with a view 10 their education
for service for commissioned officers, and
officers either Of the regular forces or the
militia privileges being given TO such
young men TO enlist for a regular period
OF service, or 20 receive honorable dis
cnarge, at their own option at the expira-
ton Of their course of instruction. Such
a school would be Of very great value 70
the military service Of the country. II is
suggested that steps be taken without de.
lay to organize in all Of the sea.
board states a due proportion OF
heavy artillery militia batteries,
for the service of the Notifications OF
these states, and that these batteries be
reported 10 the department in order tina,
places Of instruction may be assigned "a
them, where they can spend an annual en-.
campment with regular troops and under
immediate instruction of accomplished
artillery officers. Regimental organiza,
ton for such artillery batteries is moi
1 a