Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1892-12-05
OUH Ann Y.
Annual Repor, OF secretary OF War
Eihtns.


WASHINGTON, u. C., Dec. 4.--Secrc.
tsry OF War Elkins today made public
his annual report TO the President. IL
Is In part MS follows
The army has maintaincd through
out the year its high standard Of dis.
cipline and efficiency. II Ia n matter Of
vital importance that the regular
army, In Organization and porsonne /,
should represent m nearly as may be a
% RECT model. Since the present
organization OF our infantry WINS
adopted many changes have TAX IA
place In the art Of war, resulting,
ntno x other things, In a material mo.
difcstion OF the form OF Infantry regi-
mcnts. Our stationary condition In
this respect has left US Ia an obsolete
organization, the defects Of which,
however, have been 20 exclusively
discussed In former reports from this
department, they are only referred TO
in the present instance as means OF
urgently renewing the recommends.
tions Of nearly all my predecessors IN
behalf OF three-bsttalion Infantry regi.
menta. A bill which, without any
additional expense, would accomp ish
the end In view, has passed the Senate
and 10 now pending in tho House Of
Representatives, The enactment OF
this bill into law would 10 OF great
advantage TO the army aud 10 tho ma
ton.
Asa further means OF periecting the
army, the reorganization OF tbs ar
tillery arm has been recommended aud
urgently pressed upon Congress. All
that now remains for the war depart
ment 10 do In the promiseais 10 repre-
sent the mcritorious character Of the
proposed legislation and earnestly
recommend IL TO the attentive con-
sideration OF the House Of Represent.
atives.
The interests Of tho nation demand
that the iministration OF military
affairs shall be attended with dignity
and authority. To this end II Is ncces.
aary that the commanding general
should be consplcuously superior In
rank to all subordinates. Experience
has shown that rank, rs well as com.
mand, IL essential TO give proper effect
TO authority In any military organiza.
ton OF Importance. Accordingly, it
Ia recommended that tho lieutenant
general no revived as q permanent
grade OF army rank.
Every possible effort has been made
to secure the enlistment Of desirable
men. The recruiting service has been
administered with exceptional vigor
and success during tho last two years;
and the standard Of qualifications has
been raised until tho test at recruiting
rendezvous IL 40 critical that only IS
per cent OF the applicants for enlist.
"A al isH al III. .l
year ending June 30, 1892. IL seems
that almost everything has been ac.
cOmpllshed that IN possible under ex-
listing laws.
Under present conditions there IN
scarcely any pecuniary benefit TO al
tract men to the ranks. Promotions
10 commissioned grades are necessarily
few, ana the difference between the
pay OF q private anu n noncommis.
stoned officer Ia hardly nppreciablo,
when considered In the light OF an
inducement 10 enlistment. 1t 10 thers-
of all noncomm ssioned grades be In.
creased to the extent Of making pro.
motions thereto the object OF legitimate
ambition, thereby inducing the enlist.
msnt OF the very best material to
ton to the grade OF both commissioned
AMI noncomnissioned officers. Con.
sidering that there are 1884 seIgeants
Of all grndcs aud 1914 corporals, IL Is
apparent that the ihducement should
be ample enough to justify young men
Of character aud capacity In indulging
the expectation OF ultimately securing
adequate compensation and recosni.
ton.
"The department last year favored
legislation establishing military posts
In Montana, one In Arkansas, and one
In New Mexico, upon the condition
that the land be donated. In addition
to decided saving In the expense OF
maintenance, other important results
would follow such redistribution OF
the army In larger garrisons.
"The Inspector General reports that
the spirit and progress OF the army was
never better than now. In referring
TO the Indian soldiers he says that they
show remarkable aptitude for the mill.
tary service; that they are amenabie 10
discipline, and are generally OF good
habits and proud OF being soldiers, and,
considering their Ignorance OF thu
English language, their progress In
Urn NUS Dccu tAtuOfuiuhfy.
"rhe report Of the paymasler gener.
el shows that the amount ii-huTssd Tor
payment Of tho army was abo It $500
900 lsss than last year. This is no
doubt partially due to the amount re-.
tained from the pay Of enlisted men
on their first enlistment, NJ provided
by tho act OF July 10Th, 1890. The
amount DISTURBED In payment Of claim,
settled by the second auditor OF the
treasury was also about $1,000 less
tnan last year.
"rhe plans for the war department.
exhibit at this Worlds Columbian Ex,
position are as nearly perfected AZ
time and circumstances viii permit
All sections Of tue proposed sxh ibi
are well in hani. II IL expected 10 hu
illustrative OF the advancement OF the
age In all that pertains to the art OF
War and the relative standing OF oui
government among the great militar,
power OF tho world.
Among the important events Of thi