The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1893-12-06
THE DEPARTMENT OF WAR.
Present Necessities OF the Country
Call for Array Reorganization.

Present Necessities OF the Country
Call for Array Reorganization.
The secretary Of war reports that the
strength OF the army on the 3Oth day of
September last was 25,77S enlisted men and
ALA officers. The total expenditures for
the department for the year ending June
80. 1893. amounted to sol. $50 074.s9. OF this
sum 81, ,992, ,5Sl95 was for salaries and con-
tingent expenses, S2S,377, ,S2S.S5 for the sup
port of the military establishment, $6077.-
033.1S for miscellaneous objects, and $2051s.-
6S1H for public works. This latter sum
includes Sl5296. S76.46 for river and harbor
improvements, and S3.2661H-20 for fortifica-
tions and other works Of defense.
The total enrolment of militia of the
several states was, on the 3Ist OF October
of the current year, 112,597 officers and en-
listed men. The officers of the army de-
tailed for the inspection ana instruction Of
this part of our military force report that
increased interest and marked progress are
apparent in the discipline and efficiency of
the organizations.
violence have called the army into serv-
ice during the year, and the only active
military duty required Of it has been in
the department OF Texas. where violations
Of the neutrality laws OF the United States
ans Mexico were promptly and efficiently
detLlt with by the troops, elieiting the
warm approval Of the civil and military
authorities OF both countries
The operation of wise laws and the in
huence of civilization constantly tending to
relieve the country from the dangers Of
Indian hOstilities, together with the in
crea sing ability of the states, through the
efficiency of the national guard organza-
lions. to protect their citizens from domes-
tic violence. lead 10 the suggestion that the
time is fast approaching when there should
be reorganization Of our army on the
lines of the present necessities of the coun-
increase in number nor added expense, but
redistribution of the forces. and an en-
cOuragement of measures tending TO greater
efficiency among the men and improve
battalion formations for infantry regi-
ments, the strengthening of the artillery
necessary posts and the massing of the
troops at important and accessible sta
tions all promise to promote the usefulness
of the army. In the judgment OF army
officers with but few exceptions, the opera
ton of the law forbidding the re-enlistment
9roVed or dh its i'y wisdom. and While the arg9
ments that led to its adoption were not
without merit, the experience Of the year
constrains me to join in the recommended
tion for its repeal
Our Coast Defenses.
It is gratifying to know that we have
begun to attain completed results in the
comprehensive scheme of sea coast de-
fense and fertilization entered upon eight
years ago. A large sum has been already
expended, but the cost of maintenance
VIII be mcOnSlQeldDle as compared WIN
the expense of construction and ordnance.
At the end of the current calendar year
the war department viii have nine twelve
inch guns, twenty ten-inch and thirty-fOur
eight-inch guns ready to be mounted on
gun-lifts and carriages and seventy-five
twelve-inch mortars. In addition to the
product of the army gun factory, now
completed. the government has contracted
with private parties for the purchase Of
100 guns of these calibres, the frst of
which should be delivered TO the depart
ment for test July l, 1894. The manufac-
ture Of heavy ordnance keeps pace with
current needs but to render these guns
available for the purposes they are de-
signed to meet, emplacements must be
prepared for them. Progress has been
that congress by adequate appropriations
should provide for the uninterrupted prose-
cution of this necessary work
After much preliminary work and exam
nation in accordance with the require
ments of the law. the board appointed to
select magazine rife Of modern type,
with which to replace the obsolete Spring
field rifle Of the infantry service, COM
pleted its labors during the last year, and
the work Of manufacture is now In prog
ress at the national armory at Springfield.
1t is confidently expected that by the end
of the current year our infantry will be
supplied with a weapon equal to that Of
the most progressive armies or the world.
Military Projects.
The work on the projected Chickamauga
and Chattanooga national military park has
been prosecuted with zeal and judgment
and its opening will be celebrated during
the coming year. over nine square miles
of the Chickamauga battle field have been
acquired, twenty-five miles of road have
been constructed and permanent tablets
have been placed at many historical points
while the invitation TO states to mark the
positions of their troops participating in
the battle, has been very generally ac-
cepted. The work Of locating and preserv-
ing the lines or battle at the Gettysburg
battle field is making satisfactory progress
the plans directed by the last congress
The reports OF the military academy of
West Point and the special schools for
special instruction of officers show marked
advance in the education OF the army and
a commendable ambition among its officers
to excel in the military profession and to
fit themselves for the highest service to
the country. Under the supervision of
Adj.-Gen. Robert Williams. lately retired.
the bureau of military information has be-
come well established and is performing
a service that will put in possession of
the government in time of war most valu-
Continued on Sixth Page.
Col Clark