, 1891-11-21
SEC. PROCTOR'S REPORT
Life of Uncle Sans Boys Re-
viewed at Length.
Indian Scouts and Soldiers Are
Highly Recommended.
Less Desertion the Past Year
Than Ever Before.
Secretary of Wars, Report.

WASHINGTON, Nov. 20.-Secretary of
War Red6eld Proctor submitted his
annual report to the president today. The
secretary takes a retrospective view of the
work done the past year. He says: In
the line OF coast denfeuse, sites for iorti.
ficatlons have been procured, and
engineering work has been begun on
batteries for mortars aud emplacements
for guns at New York, Boston, San
Francisco, Hampton Roads and Washing
ton. The north wing and center section
OF the gun factory at Watervliet has peer
completed and is nearly equipped. A
south wing, doubling the capacity. is now
being constructed.
The report deals at length with the
coast defense problem and ~strenuously
recommends the adoption OF means for
the protection of the several cities on the
coasts of the United states, renarkinR:
Our coast cities, which in 1860 were well
protected, is 1890 were defenseless."
Concerning 1esertions the report says:
Desertions from the army for the year
ending Sept. 30 have been less than in
any other in the history of the army.
Previous to 1920 there are no reliable
records, but from that time till the begin
ming of the war of the rebellion the aver.
age annual rate of desertion was l4.S per
sent of the enlisted strength, aud since
the war it has been nearly the same.
From January |, 1867. to June 80. 1891,
twenty-four and one-half years, the num-
Der OF desertions from the army was 49,
ATS. 1t has cost the government a very
large sum for pay, clothing, subsistence
and transportation OF recruits to replace
these men.
For the year ending June 80, 1889, the
rate was IL 6 per cent; for the year end
ing June 80 1890. 9 per cent; for the
year ending June 80, 1891, 6.I per cent.
During the twelve months ending Sept.
80, 1891, the rate was only So per cent.
The dinIinution is still going on. and the
percentage is being reduced month by
month.
Speaking of promotions from the ranks
the report says: Il would renew the sug-
gession of my last report, that the pro-
vision of the starute, making the recon-
mendation OF the company commander a
condition precedent to promotion from
the ranks to a l~ieutenancy, be repealed.
Every soldier should be permitted to ap
pear before preliminary boards and be
given an opportunity to establish his
claim to consideration. This preliminary
examination should be very critical re
garding autecedents. and take a wide
scope with reference to the personal and
moral character OF the candidates.
In March last a general order was is
sued authorizing the enlistment Of one
company OF indians for each OF the TWEEN
ty. six regiments of white cavalry and in-
faptrv serving west Of the Mississippi
river. This action was taken after care
f,I -1,..- -. tha AA,l,,Ak a.. A. w.,t - g
Indian scouts aud police employed in a
military or quasi-mIhtary capacity.
The primary object, fully iustifying the
experiment. in my judgment. was to give
employment, in useful and Legitimate
channels, to a considerable number OF In
dams of the warlike tribes. Having been
deprived. by the extinction of game, of
both employment and means of subsist
.ence. they cannot be changed at once
from nomads to quiet and successful
farmers. Incidentally it was hoped that
the habits of obedience, cleanliness, and
r~unctuality, as well as Of steady labor in
the performance of both military aud in-
dustrisl work inculcated by sci vice in the
army would hade a good effect on those
who might enlist. aud also furnish an OBJ
ject lesson OF some value and exert a
healthy influence pom others OF their
tribes.
Twenty-eight army posts. about one
fourth OF the entire number June /,
1889. have been Abandoned since that
date. Ten or twelve more can be
abandoned as soon as suitable shelter for
the troops is provided at more central
points. The troops should be assembled
by regiments, or at least battalions, in
well built posts at strategic and convenient