The Globe-republican., 1891-10-29
THE ARMY.



Report Of Gen. sohoaeld-fAs l.dian 0uss
tion aad Other MattsFs Discussed.
WASHINGTON, Oct - - Mat-Gen.
Scho6eld. commanding the army, haa
made his annual report upon the oper'
atoms of the army to the secretary Of
war. He reviews the Indian disturb
ance of last winter, recalls that nearly
one-haf of the infantry and cavalry Of
the army was concentrated at the
scene of disturbance, and then says
that this campaign teaches the lesson
that the entire military force of the
United States would be wholly made
quate to prevent great loss of life and
damage to property if q general Indian
outbreak should occur. However. he
believes that no considerable number
of tho Sioux intended hostilities
against the United States un-
less driven to it by hardship He
says: There is hence a well grounded
belief that by the constant exercise of
discretion in the management of In
dams, coupled with justice in all deal
ings of the government with them and
the presence of q sufficient military
force to overawe the turbulent minority
among them. there need be no serious
apprehension of an extended uprising
of the Sioux, and, probably. not of any
other Indian tribe. It is also well
worthy of the most serious consider
alton that by the addition of . few
thousand men to the enlisted strength
of the army, whereby sufficient force
might at all times be stationed in tho
vicinity of the great reservations, the
danger of an uprising and resulting
destruction of frontier settlements
would be entirely removed, and the
great expense of transportation of
troops from distant parts of the coun-
try entirely avoided"
Mai. Gen Schofield then makes .
strong plea for reorganization of the
army.
The report notes with satisfaction
the adoption by congress Of definite
policy Of improvement Of the coast de-
lenses Touching the enlistment of
Indians in the army, it says the policy
has not yet progressed very far in its
but the results have been
satisfactory and it should be
adhered to. Complimentary reference
is made to the high state of efficiency
of the artillery, infantry and cavalry
school OF the new system of exam
ination for promotion, the report says
that it will, in the end, undoubtedly
serve to improve largely the general
state of military education. Reference
is made to the number of military posts
abandoned during the past year, a.
serving to mark the advance Of settle.
ment and the subjugation of roaming
Indians, and liberal allowances are
for larger and perma-
nent posts as being in the interests Of
true economy.
Touching the discipline of the army
the report says: "An the reports show
that the general state of discipline in
the army is excellent. the ono lamenta-
BILE exception being that of the Fourth
cavalry at Fort Wahs Walls. The
measures which have been adopted for
of the condition of the
enlisted men and for the exclusion Of
characters from enlistment
have worked together to elevate the
character and increase the contentmert
Of the soldiers, without in any measure,
It is believed, impairing their eficien-
cy. The winter campaign against the
Sioux developed the most cheerful en-
durance of the greatest hardships, as
we'll as great gallantry in action, and
total absence of deserti0ns while in the
field in the presence of the enemy"