Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-12-05
THE SECRETARY OF WAR.
The Condition Of the Army rs shown by His
Annual Report.

Secretary Of War Elkins in his annual report
to the President states that the army has main
tanned throughout the year its high standard Of
discipline and efficiency. He reviews the rec
concentrations of nearly all of his predecessors
in behalf of three battalion infantry regiments,
and as a further means of perfecting the army
the Reorganization Of the artillery arm is rec
commended and urgently pressed on Congress.
Necessary provisions to this end are embodied
in the bill relating to the infantry organization.
The interests Of the nation, says the Secre-
! tary of War. demand that the administration
| of military affairs shall be attended with dig
nitv and authority. To this end it is necessary
| that the commanding general should be con-
spicuously superior in rank to all subordinates.
Experience has shown that rank well COM
mand is essential to give proper effect to au-
thority i'll any military organization of impor-
lance. Accordingly it is recommended that
the lieutenant generally be revived per-
nianent grade of army rank.
The general conclusion, gathered from all
sources, is TO the effect that while the enlisted
personnel Of the army is a whole very much
better than at any time previous much remains
to be accomplished in this connection before
we can rest entirely satisfied. Every possible
effort has been made to secure the enlistment
Of desirable men. Notwithstanding this how
ever, many men succeed IN entering the army
whose character and antecedents are such as to
render their presence detrimental to the serv-
Ice and the complaint is general as TO a scarcity
Of material for non-commissioned officers.
The army, under favorable conditions,
should be one Of the most desirable trades of
youth. and there can scarcely be a doubt that
bright and adventurous young men would seek
our colors in considerable numbers if it were
generally understood that courage and merit
would be suitably rewarded. Under present
conditions there is scarcely any pecuniary BEN
eft to attract a man to the ranks. Promotions
to commissioned grades are necessarily few, and
the difference between the pay of private and
a non-commissioned officer IL hardly appreciable
when considered in the light of an inducement
to enlistment. 1t is. therefore, recommended
that at least the pay of all non-commissioned
grades be increased to the extent of making
promotion thereto the object of legitimate am
bition, thereby inducing the enlistment OF the
very best material to compete for the advan-
tages OF promotion to the grade of both COM
missioned and non-conimissioned officers.
ut is believed that our Indian wars are
about at an end. In the march of population
and civilization westward that which was so
long known the frontier has disappeared.
The necessity of massing troops in the west
no longer exists. The question as to the
proper policy that should govern the distri-
button and location of the army presses for
consideration and settlement. The tendency
OF distribution hitherto has been to abandon
small and isolated posts and concentrate the
troops in larger garrisons. This has been at
tended with good results, as troops can be
more economically maiE tanned in large than in
small garrisons. 1t Is suggested. therefore,
that the small posts be gradually alb, ndoned
and that regimental posts be established in
each OF the larger states which are now with
out them. They should be located at or near
the principal commercial centers. where trans
portat1on facilities ample and movements
Of both men and supplies may BIO rapidly and
economically made.
The excellent results following the organi-
zation of a hospital corps point to the desira-
biity OF suitable corps of enlisted men for
general service, especially in the subsistence
and quartermaster departments. This would
return to the ranks a large number of men now
necessarily withdrawn for special or extra
duty. Authority for enlisting limited num-
Der of general service men is, therefore, recon-
mended.
''The high standing of the Military Academy
at West Point has been maintained. It's ca
pacity is not overtaxed. Vacancies in the lilt
Of cadets constantly exist, which it is import
ant should be kept full. 1t is recommended
that the President be given authority to ap-
point ten cadets at large each year, "a was au-
thorized by law prior to June IL. 1885,
The Secretary Of War commends the eff
cheney of the artillery school at Fort Monroe
aud the infantry and cavalry school at Leaven-
worth. Kan. and says the only serious obstacle
usefulness arises from want of funds to con-
duct the exclusive scholastic work. He urges
sufficient appropriations to produce the best
results in behalf of the interests of the United
States.
On the subject of the National Guard the
Secretary of War says
The Importance of maintaining and improv-
ing the militia of the several states and the Dis
trict of Columbia is generally admitted. The
National Guard is the reserve force Of the army.
Attention is invited to the necessary appropria-
tons for armlng and equipping this reserve
force. IP 1908 the appropriation for the mill
tia of the states was 100000 The highly i'm
proved arms and equipments of the present
day cost for the same number of men more
than treble what they did eighty-four wears
ago. The population OF the country is many
times what 1t was then, and the demand for
these equipments has increased many times
IAN appropriation OF only five times the
amount appropriated in 1908 can hardly be
considered extravagant. An appropriation of
at least 81 900. 900 for this purpose is recon-
OF March 1. 1889. be amended that an indie
pendent issue of supplies may be made to the
National Guard of the District Of Columbia and
not be taken from the limited supplies of the
regular army"
Thereports Of the adjutant general inspector
general, judge advocate general, quartermas-
ter general, commissary general and surgeon
general are briefly referred to, the work of
these bureaus showing excellent results.
The construction of implements for mod
ern high-power guns and mortars in some of
the larger harbors is well under way. but it is
not vet coextensive with the construction of
the guns or the needs OF the coast defenses
The Secretary says it is hoped that sufficient
appropriations will be made for this purpose
and for the purchase of the sites needed upon
the advanced headlands of our harbors for
long range guns.
The chief signal officer reports the continued
improvement Of the signal service and import
ant acquisitions in knowledge. The work of
collecting and publishing the records of the
late war has progressed satisfactorily and is
nearing completion.
The expenditures for the fiscal year ended
June 80, 1892, were SOL .21s. 970.59. The appro-
prations for the fiscal year ending June 80,
1893 are $50, 532 922 81, while the estimated ex-
penditures for the fiscal year ending June 80,
1894. are 1854 ,679.72. The Secretary also
recommends the appropriation of $4,000 in
order that the military post and school at Fort
Monroe may take a proper part in the naval
display in Hampton Roads next April.
OPPOSED TO THE MILITARY BILL.