The morning call., 1893-12-05
CONCERNING THE ARMY.


The Secretary of War reports that the
strength of the army on the 3Oth day OF Sep
tember last was 25.7 7S enlisted men and 2144
officers. The total expenses OF this department
for the year ending Junr 80, 1898, amounted
to sol, 960,074 80. or This sum 81, ,992, 561 80
was for salaries and contingent expenses.
s23, ,377.S2S 80 for The support OF the military
establishment, S6,077.033 % for miseellane Gus
objects and $50. 15S, ,631 Al for public works.
This latter sum includes sI5,296,s76 As for
river aud harbor improvements and SO, 266,.
14l 2S for Notifications and other works of
defense.
The total enrolment of the militia of the
several States was. on the 31st OF October OF
the current year, 1925 officers and enlisted
men. The officers of the army detailed for the
INSPECTION and instruction OF this reserve OF our
military force report that Increased interest
and marked progress are apparent in the dsci-
pline aud efficiency OF the organization.
Neither Indian outbreaks nor domestic vio-
lence has call d the army into service during
the year and the only active military duty
required OF II has been in the Department OF
Texas, whrre violations Of the neutrality laws
OF the United States aud Mexico were promptly
and elnclently dealt with by the troops, elicit
lug the warm approval OF The clvi! and
military authorities OF both countries.
Ihe fact that civilization Is constantly tend
Ing TO relieve the country from the danger of
Indian hostililies, together with the increasing
abillty OF The 5 ates through he efficiency OF
the National Guard organic tions To project
their citizens from domestic violence, lead to
the suggestion that the time Is fast approach
Ing wben there should be reorganization OF
our army on The lines OF The present necessi
ties OF the country. This change coutemplatrs
no Increase in number nor added ex
pense, but redistribution OF the force
and an encouragement of measures tend
Ing TO greater efficiency among the men
and 10 The Improvement OF the service.
The adoption OF battalion formations for in
fantry regiments. the streng hening Of the
artillery force, the abandonment OF froDtie'
posts ana the massiDg OF the troops at i'm
port nj and accessibl stations all promise 10
promote The usefulness OF the army. In The
judgment of army officers, with bui few excep-
tions, the operation OF the law for bidding the
re-enlistment OF men after ten years service
mas not proven Its wisdom, and while the argu-
ments which led to its adoption were not with
OUT meilt The experience OF the year constrains
me TO join in the recommendation for It's repeal.
II Is gratifying TO note that we have begun TO
attain completed results In the comprehensive
scneme OF seacoast defense and fortihcatioDs
entered upon eight years ago. a ge sum has
Deen already expended, but the cost OF main-
tanning the forts Will be inconsiderable as COM
pared with the ex, ense of construction and ord
nance. AT the end OF the current cal ndsr
year the War Department will have nine ~
men guns. twenty 10-lnch aud thirty-four
S-inch guns ready TO be mounted on gun lifts
and carriages. and seventy-five 12-inch NOR
tais. In addition to the product OF he army
gun factory, now completed al Watervliet, the
government has contracted with private par
Ties Tor the purchase OF 100 guns Of til 80 G IL
Oers. the nTst OF which should be delivered TO
lhe manufacture OF heavy ordnance keeps pace
with current needs. but to render these guns
dFailaole lOr The purposes tney are designed 10
meet emplacemrns must be PIE, AIRED Tor them
frogtess has ben made in this direction, and
Il Is desirable that Congress, by adequate APP
preparations, should provide Tor The uninter-
iupted pfosecui ion Of his necessary woik.
Alter much preliminary woik and an eX.
massive examination In accordance with the
requirements of the law the board appointed TO
select magazine rife of modern type with
which TO replace The obsolete Springneld rif1e
OF me Infantry service completed Its labor
curing the last year and The wolk OF m ibufac-
tuilng is now In progress at the National
AfmOry al Springfield. 1t Is confidently ex-
pecieu tDat by The end OF the current year our
infantry will be supplied with weapon equal
TO hat OF the most progressive armies OF the
world.
The work on the projected ChIckamauga and
chattanooga National Military Park mas been
prosecuted with zeal and judgment, and is
opening Will be celebrated during The coming
year. over nine square miles Of the Cbicka-
nagua Dattleneld have been acquired. twenty
nVe miles OF roadway have been constructed
ana permanent tablets have been placed at
many historical points, while the invitation TO
the States 10 mark The positions OF their
troops participating In the battle has been very
generally accepted. The work oil locating and
preserving Tie lines of battles al ihe Gettys-
Duig Oa,iieheid Is making satisfactory progress
on Tue plans directed by ine last Congress.
he reports OF the military academy at west
folDt and the several schools Tor special in-
stfuctlohs OF officers chow mat ked advance
I'D the education OF the army and commend
apie ambltion among its officers 10 excei IN the
military profession, aud 10 ft themselves Tor
the highest service TO their country. Under
ihe SUPERVISION of AdiutaDi-General Robert
Wililams, lately retired, tie bureau oil lDforna-
ton mas become well established aud Is per-
forming service that will put in possession of
(r0VGrnmAnf in m ValnahlA