Bismarck weekly tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1943, 1893-12-08
WAR DEPARTMENT..
h Has Been Done and What Could BE
PrOfitably Accomplished.

A3OueAOAy fACCOul pllsHeUs
The secretary of war reports that the
strength OF the army on the thirtieth day of
September last was 25,77s enlisted men, and
2,l4i officers. The total expenses of the de-
partlnent for the year ending June 80, 1881.
amounted to Sol ,96G, V74.s9; of this su IN 81 ,90ss,-
5sl.9' was for salaried and contingent ex-
penses, $2S3,3'7 1855 for the support of the
military establishment, SB,O77 ,Ga3.i9 for mis-
ccllaneOus objects and So, 5lS, U3l. IL for public
works. This latter sum includes SIS ,s.y1. s7G.46
for river and harbor improvements, and 49,.
2tt, 4l.?O for Notifications and other works of
defense.
The Militia.
The tot II enrolment of the militia of the
several states was, on the 3l>t of October Of
the current year. IL, 597 officer, and enlist d
men. The officers OF the army detailed for
the inspe .tion and instru :tion of this reserve
OF our military for e report that increased in
terest and marked progress are apparent in
tue d: discipline and Efficiency of the oryanixa-
ton.
A Peaceful Year Internally.
Neither Indian outbreaks or domestic vio-
lence have called the army into service during
the year, and the only active military duty
required of it has been in the department uf
Texas, where violations of the neutrality laws
OF the United States and Mexico were
promptly and efficiently dealt with by the
troops. %eliciting the warm approval Of the
civil and military authorities of both coun-
tries.
The operation of wise laws and the influence
OF clVl lZatlOn constantly tending to relieve
the country from the dangers If Indian hos
tilities. together with the increasing ability of
the states through the efficiency of the national
guard organizations to protect their citizens
from domestic violence, lead to the suggestion
that the Inc is fast approaching when there
should be u reorganization of our army on the
lines or fla nrnsanf nArnsSitin.. nf f1n ,.,.
This change contemplates Meth increase in
number nor added expense, but Il rcdistriDu-
ton OF the force and an encouragement of
measures tending to greater efficiency among
the men and Improvement of the service.
The adoption of battalion formal. Ons for in
fantry regiments. the strengthening of the
artillery force, the abandonment of smaller
ana unnecessary posts and the massing e Of the
troops at important and accessible stations all
promise to promote the usefulness IF the
army.
Coast Dcfenses.
IL Is gratifying t. IL tic that we have begun
to attain complex r.su is III the comprrhcn.
sivc scheme of sea coast defense and for,id.
cation entered upon eight cars ago. A large
sum has been already eXpendc :, but the cost
OF maintenance will be incolsider ablc rs
compared with the expense of construction.
and ordnance. AT the end of the current cal
endar year the war department will have nine
"AASA 6u'io ~ I'LL AIT Of S.llCn guns
ready to be mounted ON gun lifts and car
riages and u l2-inch mortars. In addition tn
the product OF the army gun factory
now complete at Watervliet, the government
has contracted with private parties for the
purchase OF lU guns Of these calibres. the
first Of which should he delivered to the de-.
partmentfo for test before July /, 1894. The
manufacture of heavy ordinance kceps mace
with current needs; but to render these gnns
available for the purposes they are desig ned
10 meet, emplacements must be prepared for
them. Progress has been made in this dircc-
ton, and 1t is desirable that congress by ade-
quatc appropriations should provide for the
uninterrupted prosecution of this necessary
work.
Infantry Equipment.
After much preli II mary work and exhans.
1--WE examination in accordance with the re-.
qu'relncnts of law. the board appOintcd In
select u magazine rifle of modern TYNE In r-
place the obsolete Springfield rifle of tie infnn-
Try service, compl ted its lubors during the
last year. and the work Of manufacture is now
IN progress at the national ar,nory ut Spring
Ic'a. IT, is conf !cnily expected that by tic
Gnu OF the current y"ar our infantry will be
supplied with II weapon equal to t.,at of the
most progressive armies OF the world.
Chicka'nnuga and Gettysburg.
The work on the projected Chickalnuuru
ma Chattanooga national military park hus
oc'h prosecuted with zeal and judgment, and
us opening will he celebrated during III.
coming yc,u. Over nine square miles of the
Chickamaugn battlefield have been ucuujrrd
- miles OF roadway have been constructed
ana permanent tablets have been uIm.cl nj
many historical points, while the inyitn1inn
I" the states To mark the positions of their
troops participating in tho battle has hr.,,
very generally accc pied. The work of lnrnt.
ing and preserving the lines of battle at tire
uettysDurg battlefield is making satisfactory
progress Oh the plans directed Inv I'm, In.t
congress-. '""'
inc reports OF the military ncmlen,y nj West
r"iht ana the several schools for special in
slructiOn OF officers show marked ndynnc. I'm
education of the army and IL commcndnhic
aianition anon its officers To excel in the
=. ,ttry profession an to III themselves for