The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-12-11
FUTURE OF THE MARINES.
Too Few OF TAen for Their Duties at ssa
and Ashore.


and Ashore.
WARRINGTON, Dec o-The question what to
do for-and perhaps even with-the marines Is
apain brought up by the recent statements OF
Col. Charles Haywood. the commandant OF the
corps lie says that tho men at the navy
yards and other shore stations are over
work ed. being often on guard duty every other
day. which Is much moro than Is required OF
tho army. Perhaps this extra severity OF
duty. in consequence OF insufficient numbers.
may be ono reason why the assertions In tho
Marine Corps IRE SO numerous. far exceeding
In proportion those OF the army. There
is perhaps o retroactive influence In the mat
ter The assertions are so frequent that the
CORPS IL always short handod. in spite OF busy
recruiting. and this In turn puts extra duty on
those who remain in the service. and tempts
some of them to desert In all other respects
but that OF guard duty the condition OF the
marines serving ashore has been amelorated
OF late ycnrs. The ration has been improved.
and SO have the sleeping accommodations and
other matters relating to comfort But the
drain OF desertion continues to beprodigious.
so that the old question OF who shall guard
tho guards themselves ?" Is applicable to the
marines.
peculiar solution has boon offered by some
OF the line officers OF the navy. They propose
that the marines shall be withdrawn from tho
cruising vessels. and thus the needs q the
shore stations can be fully supplied. In their
places tho blucjackets would be trained to
guard duty: and the belief is expressed that
when thus guarded by his own comrades. and
when intrusted himsel with his share OF such
duty. Jack will be all the better sailor and will
gain in personal prdo and in the desire to con.
form to the ships regulations.
But naturally tho marine officers do not
favor this proposal. They would doubtless
even rather struggle along under tho present
lack Of enough enlisted men, Their corps has
| always been amphlbious. and its motto shows
that it pursues its way on sea as we'll as on
| sea duty. 1t dates back to the war Of the
| Revolution in its record OF partcpation IN sea
| being henceforth confined to mere police
duties ashore. Besides, i urges that The very
from tho bluolackets makes It more tra,st-
worthy as, II source Of reliance in enforcing
thus there d are two Sides to the question: and
It is certain that II many line officers favor
duties sV now nerior me during CRUISES ty the
marnes Others that Gsn me Marine tssf
| monials to its value as part Of ships com.
pany. tho honored name and authority OF
st II is not to Se eeXneeted that
at the present session will increase the corps
BY single man. 1t is. likely to do very little
the sea- tSe sna e
anything. its efforts ought to be. and probably
| would be- directed to furnishing more enlisted
men for the navy. The large number OF new
ships soon to 60 into commission will call for
that increase: and while vessel may 60 to
| sea without a marine guard. 1t cannot 60
without crew.
The question. therefore. arises rs to whether
| anything can be done to render available
larger proportion Of the present force It may
be assumed that no mere SNOWY or traditional
| sentry duty is exactad at tho yards: but only
| such as is required BY the care Of public prop.
| erty. the maintenance OF good order. and the
preservation OF certain desirable customs and
| etiquette. One point suggested by Col; Hey
tension to his CORPS Of the new arm, statutes
| that these statutes have had a marked OBJECT
| in the army. They permit a man to purchase
IN honorable discharge at q fair rate. after
he has been ono year In the service: they
Years tho tho orion Of ssayins .; going a
| the end OF three: in short. they try to
| keep him from basely quitting his colors by
| opening up various honorable means Of escape.
| II the service does not suit him. The laws for
the Marine Corps follow cl9sely thoS V for the
example. nge retirement was given to the
| enlisted men Of the army, 1t was also given to
| those Of the Marine Corps. and yet not to those
| OF the navy. 1t might now. accordingly. do
| some good in decreasing desertions to extend
to the marines the new arm ny statutes on that at
| sources. including purchases. should prove
| less than hitherto. 1t would be better for dis
| cipline. and the duties at navy yards might
become less onerous.
AS to the2filcers Of the Marine Corps they: ~.
army. have q bill pending to secure promo
ment this Year.