The morning call., 1892-12-05
STATE OF THE ARMY.
Secretary Elkins Submits His
Report.
Indian Soldiers Show Themselves Fit
for the Service Equipment of
the National Guard.
Special TO THE MORNING CALI

WASHINGTON. Dee. 4.-The Secretary of
War in his annual report urges the passage
of the bill for the Reorganization of the in
fantry, which has already gone through the
Senate and is Bow pending in the house. A
plea is made for the revival of the grade of
lieutenant general.
The Secretary says that while the per-
sonnel of the enlisted men in the army is a
a rule. very much better than at any time
previous, much remains TO be accomplished
in this connection II good men are wanted
for the army, they must oe paid something
nearer what wage-earners receive in the
ordinary pursuits of civil life. Under the
present conditions there is scarcely any
pecuniary benefit TO attract men TO the
ranks. Promotions to the commissioned
grades are necessarily few, and the differ
ence between the pay of private and of
non commissioned officer is hardly appre-
ciable when considered in the light Of an
inducement TO enlistment 1t is recon-
mended that at least the pay of non-com-
missiOned grades be increased TO the extent
of making promotion thereto an object Of
legitimate ambition.
The Secretary recommends the continu-
ance of the policy of abandoning small posts
and the establishing Of regimenial posts in
larger States now without them. In addi-
tion to the decided saving in the expense Of
main ntenauce. there would lie more uniform
and better discipline and positive inl-
provement in instruction and military ad-
ministration. Such posts would also be of
advantage in connection with the training
and instruction of the National Guard.
The high standing of the West Point
Academy has been maintained during the
year. Its capacity is not overtaxed, and the
Secretary recommends that the President
be given authority to appoint ten cadets a
large each year, as 1t is probable that with
this increase there will still he vacancies.
and the number of graduates will not ex-
ceed seventy-hve per annum.
The post graduate schools of artillery, in
fantry and cavalry and light artillery and
engineers have made encouraging progress,
and the Secretary makes numerous recon-
mendations with regard to them.
AS to the National Guard, he calls atten-
tion to the necessity of an increased appro-
priati0n, saying that the recent ones had
been utterly inadequate. In 1868 the appro-
priations for the militia of tie States was
$500, ,0o0. The highly improved arms and
equipment Of the present day cost for the
same number of men more than treble what
population OF the country is many times
greater, as well as the demand for equip
ment. An appropriation of at least s., ,C00,-
600 for this purpose is recommended; also
that the present law be changed so tina.
arms and supplies which have become un-
seTviceable in the hands of the militia may
be sold and the proceeds used for furnish
Ing new supplies instead Of being converted
into the treasury.
The Inspector-General reports to the Sec
retary regarding Indian soldiers that they
shows remarkable aptitude for military
service, are amenable to discipline, gener-
ally of good habits and proud of being
soldiers. and. considering their ignorance
of the English language, their progress in
drill has been extraordinary. The reports
OF inspections since the new drill regulations
were Issued show considerable aiacriiy on
part of the men learning them.
The SuTgeon-General takes deep interest
In the more perfect organization of the
medical department for the National Guard,
and il is hoped this may be accomplished
through the medical department Of the
army and the Association of Military Sur
geoDs Of the National Guard.
The report of the chief of engineers con-
tains information concerning the fortifica-
tions for the seaboard and the improvement
of rivers and harbors. The construction of
emDlagements for modern bigh-power guns
and mortars in some Of the larger harbors
are well under way. but are not YET cock
teDsive with the construction OF the guns or
the needs Of the const defense. The Secre-
tary hopes that sufficient appropriations
will be made for this purpose and for the
purchase OF sites needed Upon the advanced
headland Of our harbors for lopg-range
guns.
The Secretary deyotes some space 10 the
report Of the Chief of Ordnance, which
was previously covered at length in these
dispatches.
The chief signal officer reports continued
improvement in bis branch OF the ser
vice and. among other things, mentions the
practical test of a field telegraph train in
the construction Of lying field telegraph
line thiriy-dye miles long in twenty-four
hours.
The estimated appropriations submitted
by the Secretary for the fiscal year ending
June 30, 1892, are s43, ,354, GOO.
=