Los Angeles herald., 1890-11-07
General Schofield's Annual
Report.
The Indian Question Practi-
cally Settled.
The Present Army Not Sufficient for
A Peace Footing.
Coast Line Fortifcations and Ocean Going
Battle Ships an Absolute
Necessity.
Associated Press Dispatches.

WASHINGTON, Nov. 6.-Major- General
Schofeld, commanding the United
States army, in his annual report says,
in part: 1t may be asserted that all that
is now necessary for the final peaceful
settlement of the great Indian problem
Is wise and humane treatment of the
Indians upon their reservations. in the
presence 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 fu-
ture positive and probable military ne
cessities of the country should dictate
the military policy. The army should
be 80 stationed that it may be prepared
at the shortest notice to respond to any
call which may be made upon its SER
vices, and at the same time to assist in
all practicable ways in preparing the
militia of the several states for active
service in time of need.
It is believed that demonstration is
unnecessary, that the important sea-
board cities of the United States should
be 80 fortified, armed and manned as to
be capable of self-defense against the
attack of any foreign feet, and each of
the sea coasts of the United States
should be provided with an adequate
feet of sea-going battle ships, capable
of attack on the broad ocean of any
hostile feet which might attempt to
blockade our harbors or destroy our
commerce. If the important seaports
are adequately fortified and armed, one
such fleet, it is presumed, will be suffi
cient 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 fortification board of 1885, and care
fully selected garrisons as nuclei for the
concentration of forces in an emergency,
are suggested instead.
Satisfactory progress has been made
at Watervliet in the fabrication of ex-
2erimental guns and mortars of the
highest type.
General Schofeld desires to know at
length the straits to which the depart
ment has been put by past legislation
reducing the number of privates in the
army. He wants the limit raised to
$4,000, and says without this number
the peace organization cannot be made
thoroughly effective. and cannot be re-
lied upon for the service which may inn
mediately be required of the regular
troops in any emergency, and before the
ranks can be filled by recruits or volun-
teers called into the field. In this con-
nection the general suggests that when
ever such an increase is made, provision
be made for the organization of large
battalion of young men between Is and
20 years, selected with respect to their
intelligence and good character, with
q view of their education for service
either of a regular force or militia, priv
ilege being given to such young men to
enlist for a regular period OF service, or
receive honorable discharges at their
own option at the expiration of their
course of instruction. Such school,
he thinks, would be of very great value
to the military service of the country.
1t is suggested that steps be taken,
without delay, to organize in all the sea-
board states due proportion OF heavy
artillery militia batteries for the service
of the Notifications in those states, and
that these batteries be reported to
the war department in order that
places of instruction may be assigned
to them where they can spend the
annual encampment in company with
regular troops, and under the immediate
instruction of accomplished artillery
officers. Regimental organizations for
such artillery batteries are not neces-
sary.
In the interest of economy, probably
biennial instead of annual instruction OF
infantry troops for field exercise, on
large scale, will be found sufficient:
In conclusion General Schofield says
several measures enacted by the present
congress will prove of great and lasting
benefit to the military service, and the
zeal and fidelity with which the duties
of the army have been performed merit
commendation.