Los Angeles herald., 1890-11-08
Adiutant-G General McKeever's
Annual Report.
Desertion From the Regular
Army Decreasing.
The Canteen System Pronounced an
Unqualified Success.
The Cruiser Baltimore's Excellent Sea-
Going Qualitiss-A Cabinet
Meeting, Etc.
Associated Press DISPATCHES.

WASHINGTON, Nov. I'm his annual
report, Adjutant-General McKeever says
desertions from the army the past year
were 489 less in number than the pre-
vious year. The heaviest proportion of
loss was in artillery, l1.6 per cent, in
fantry losing 9.3 and cavalry 81 per
cent. General McKeever recommends
new laws relative to summary courts
and limiting court-martial sentences,
and says the adoption of well-consld-
cred cred code of nnnishments for all military
offenses, except those specifically pre-
scribed by the rules aud articles of war,
will undoubtedly remove great source
of irritation and discomfort resulting
from the present inequality among the
enlisted men of the army. There can
be no question that it has contributed
largely to the comfort and contentment
of enlisted men, and thereby improved
and strengthened discipline throughout
the service.
The Canteen System.
Progress is reported to have been
made in the establishment of the can
teen system. At present canteens are
in successful operation at sixty-eight
posts, and during the six months ended
June 80, 1890, transacted business
amounting to $474, ,625, with resulting
profit of $8S,630. Says General Nc
Keever: Some misconception has
grown up in the public mind in regard
to these institutions, engendered, no
doubt, by the generic term used as it's
designation. Conducted in the Amer
can service, the canteen is simply CO.
operative establishment, in which a
general business, under careful military
supervision, is conducted in the sale of
liquor on behalf of enlisted men of the
army. There can be no question that it
has contributed largely to the comfort
and contentment OF the enlisted men,
and has improved and strengthened dis
cipline throughout the service.
The Baltimore's Sea-Going Facilities.
Captain Schley, commanding the new
cruiser Baltimore, has written the de-
partment that he made the passage from
Copenhagen to Lisbon in five days and
five hours. The ship encountered heavy
gales and behaved admirably, showing
sea-going qualities of high order. She
maintained high speed, varying from
141a to 16 knots without difficulty or
risk in heavy seas, for two consecutive
days, giving conclusive proof that nc
mistake had been made in the calcula.
tion of her weights. Captain Schley
says he never before sailed in a ship
having 80 much stability and ease of
movement in heavy gale.
Silver Purchases.
The amount of silver offered for sale
to the treasury today was 1,045, 900
ounces. The purchases aggregated 42O,-
900 ounces, as follows: $4,000 at 81 .022 !;
10000 at $1.035; 100000 at $1.O245
10000 at $1.025; $4,000 at $1.025.
Mexico's New Tariff.
Regarding the recent rumor of the i'm
position of heavy duty on American
cattle by the Mexican government, the
state department has advice, from the
consul-general, saying no such duties
have been imposed to his knowledge,
but that the Mexican government is
now preparing tariff bill, none of the
details of which have been made public.
Tho Spanish Minister'S Recall.
Don Emilio de Muruaga, Spanish min
lister, called at the white house today in
company with Secretary Blaine, and
presented his letter of recall.
A Cabinet Meeting.
The cabinet met today and discussed
thee haracter and scope of the annual re-
ports of the executive departments to
congress. All the members were pres
ent except Attorney General Miller and
Secretary Rusk.