The morning call., 1890-06-09
NATIONAL GUARD.
Information for the Use of the
Federal Government.

The telegraph announced from Washing
ton a few days ago that Captain John j.
OConnell of the First United States In
fantry Regiment had been directed by the
War Office to report for duty with the Ma
tional Guard of California.
With view to aScertaining, if possible,
the nature of the duties which he would be
expected to perform, representative of The
CALL paid a visit to the Presidio, but found
that Captain 0'COnnell was Oh duty with
his company at Angel Island, six COM
panieS of that regiment being stationed at
that place, while two are at Benicia and
two at the Preside. An officer Of the regi-
ment was seen, and when interrogated in
regard TO the matter stated that he was
unable to give any definite information. as
such matters are not as general thing,
made public in advance.
"All orders of that kind" he continued,
"are in the nature of what are known as
sealed instructions. They are sent under
cover direct from the department at Wash
ington TO the officer concerned, and he
alone knows the nature of their contents.
In similar way it has grown to be the GUS
tom of our national Government OF recent
years to send officers of the army to Europe
20 inspect the military systems of the great
powers, but their orders are known only 10
themselves. When such orders are received
by an officer, he proceeds at once TO tne
place to which he is directed, and when his
mission, whatever it may be, is accom-
pliShed, he makes his report direct to the
Secretary of War, giving in detail the re-
suit of his laborS.
I'm this way the department has always
at its command the latest and most COM
plete Obtainable information concerning
the number and efficiency of the various
armies of the world All important i'm
provements or notifications IN fortresses
and armaments are also carefully noted,
with such comments as may prove OF use
in bettering the home service or oil value IN
case of a foreign war
ITO return. however, to the question of
the directions which it is intimated have
been forwarded to Captain OConnell, can
only say that il is quite probable that 1t Will
| be his duty to attend the encampment OF
| the Second Brigade at Santa Cruz on August
| 16t h to inspect and report Orders OF tins
kind are frequently issued, and the ofhcer
| receiving them must repair to the place OF
| encampment and make careful observations
! OF what is done. He must acQualnt hlm-
| self with the number of men present their
| equipment and efficiency, the proficiency OF
| their commissioned officers and their dIScl-
| pline, and thereafter be prepared to report
! fully on all these points to the Secretary.
| In this way the department IS placed IN
| possession of complete technical knoWl-
edge of the strength and efficiency oil this
| arm of the service.
1.-The reports are arranged in such way
| as to be convenient at all times for refer
| ence, and enables the Federal Government
| to determine to a nicely the available
strength of the army in cases Of war or un-
usual turbulence. Az officer sent on duty
of this kind never gives instructions unless
| asked for. The reason is plain. Any
| criticism Or information forced upon the
| officers of the National Guard would not re-
| suit in any good, but the officer of the regu-
| lar army holds himself in readiness to give
! such advice as may be requested OF him."