Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1893-12-14
WAR DEPARTMENT,
A Reorganization OF the Army Rec
Omnlcndei-Scn Coast Defenses.

The secretary Of III" war reports that the
strength Of tn" army on the :'Oth day Of Sep
tcmhcr last was 2I.17S enlisted men and
>. l44 officers. The total expenses CT the de-
r;.ltmcnt for tho year ,nd"d Jun. 80 1893
amounted to sol soc O7i.S0. OF this sum
81 .292.5 Sl.!6 was for salaries and $23,37
S2S3I for the support Of the military es-
adjustment. SCOT 1913. 10 for miscellaneous
objects and S2O,J1S.G31 Al for public works
This latter SUN includes 900, S7t AZ for
river and harbor improvements and sn,2GG.-
'44.2D for fortitcatioHs and other works Of
defense.
The total enrolment of the militia Of the
several states was. on the LIST Of October Of
the current year, 1857 officers and ell
listed men. The officers OF the army de-
tailed for the inspection and instructions
Of this reserve Of our military force report
that increased interest and marked progress
are apparent in the dsci plnc and efficiency
Of the organization. Neither milan out
breaks nor domestic violence huve called
the army into service during the year. and
the only active military duty required Of IL
has been in the department OF Texas
where violations Of the neutrality laws Of
the United States and Mexico were promptly
and efficiently deal: with by the troops,
cliciting the warm approval OF the civil
and military authorities OF both countries,
the operation OF wise laws and TIL: influence
Of civilization constantly tending to relieve
the country from danger Indian hoStiitics,
together with the increasing ability OF the
states through the efficiency of the national
guard organization to protect their citizens
from domestic violence, lead to the sug-
gestion that the time Is fast approaching
when there should be Il reorganization of
our army on the lines OF the present neces-
| sites OF the country This change contem-
plates neither increase in number nor added
| expense, but 4 redistribution OF the force
| and an encouragement Of measures tending
to greater efficiency among the IIen and i'm
prOvenent Of the service.
The adoption Of the battalion formations
for infantry regiments the Strengthening
Of the artillery force, the Abandonment OF
smaller and unnecessary posts and the mass
ing Of the troops al important and accessible
stations all promise TO promote the useful
| ness Of the army. In tic Judgment. Of army
| officers. with but few exceptions. the opera
Of men after ten years. service has not
proved its wisdom, and. while the arSu-
lncnts that led TO its adoption were not
! without merit, the experience Of the year
conslrains me to join in the recommends
| ton for its repeal.
Sea COnst DefenSes.
| 1t Is gratifying to note that We have be-
gun to attain complex results in the COM
prchenSive scheme of coast drfcnScS and
| fCltiiication entered upon eight years ago.
a large sum has been expended, but the
cost of naintc!pncr will lie incnnsiderahIe
as compared with the expenses OF construc-
| ton and ordnance and ut the cad of the
current calendar yc;r, tn" war department
will have nine !2-nch guns. twenty 1Oincli
| aid thirty-four S-inch guns ready to be
| mounted on gun lifts and carriages, and
stvrnty-iivc 12-inch mor1ars. In addition to
tie product Of the army gnn tory now
completed at Watcr,iict, the government
has contracted with private parties for the
purchase Of 100 guns of these caliters, the
| first of which should h. delivered to the
department for test before July /. 1891
The manufacture of heavy ordnance keeps
pace with current needs. but 10 render
| these guns available for the purpose they
| nn designed to meet GnlplaceIneits must
made in this direction. and ii is desirable
| That congress by adequate appropriations
shonld provide for the uninterrupted pr0sqcu.
preliminary work aud exhaustive esan }in,ir
tton IN nccortlaiics with reQaircinentA 6f
law the board appointed to select q ilhsssr
| zinc rtile at modern type with which hire.
place the obsolete Springfield ride ~