Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1890-11-07
General Schofield Urges Proper Fort
cation of A Ii the Earbors,

General Schofield Urges Proper F0rt1n-
cation of al the Earbors.
WASHINGTON, November 9th. = Major.
General Schofield. commanding the United
States army, in his annual report says, in
part: ut may be asserted that all that is
now requisite for a final peaceful settle
ment of the great Indian problem is the
wise, Just 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 future positive and probable military
necessities Of the country should dictate u
military policy.
THE army should be so stationed that it
may be prepared, ct the shortest
notice, to respond to any call which may
be made upon its services and at the same
time to assist in all practicable ways in
preparing the militia of the several States
or National Guards for active service in
time Of need.
1T is believed to be manifest to all who
will consider the subject that demonstra-
ton ia unnecessary that the important
seaboard cities of the United States should
be so fortified, armed and manned es to be
capable Of self-defense against the attack of
any fol eign fleet, ard each of the sea coasts
of the United States should be provided
with an adequate fleet of sea- going battle
ships capable of attacking upon the broad
ocean any hostile fleet which might at
tempt to block the barbor or destroy com.
merce. If the important seaports are ade-
quately fortified and armed, one such fleet,
II 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 professed by the Forti-
fcaion Board of 1885, and care
fully selected garrisons as neucl for
the concentration of the force in an emery
ency are suggested instead.
Satisfactory progress has been made at
Wa.ervliet In the fabrication of expert
mental guns and mortars of the highest
type"
General Sco6eld describes at length the
straits to which the department has been
put by past legislation reducing the num-
Der of privates IN the army, He wants the
limit raised to at least 10000, and says
without this number peace organization
canno; be made thoroughly effective and
cannot be relied upon for service which
may Immediately be required OF regular
troops in any emergency, and before the
ranks can be filled by recruits or volunteers
called into the field.
In this connection the General suggests
that whenever such increase is made pro-
vision be made for the organization of a
large battalion of young men between the
ages of l6 and 20 years, selected with re-
spect to their intelligence and good charac-
ter, with view to their education for
service as non commissioned officers, and
cffipprc other 0f tho rourIar fnrpo or m IL
tia, the privilege being given to such young
men to enlist for regular period of serv-
ice or to receive honorable discharges at
their own option at the expiration of the
course of instruction. Such school would
be of very great value to the military sery-
ice of the country.
1t is suggested tnat steps be taken with
out delay to organize in all of the sea board
States due proportion of heavy artillery
militia batteries for the service of fortifica-
tons in those States, and that these batter
les 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
the regular troops and under the immediate
instruction of accomplished artillery offi-
cers-regimental organizations for such ar
tiIlery battery are not necessary. In the
interest of economy, probably biennial in
stead of annual instruction of the infantry
troops for field exercises on large scale
will be found sufficient.
In conclusion General Schofeld says that
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 COM
mepdati0u