Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-12-04

OF these 1,O6S were not permitted to land
under the limitations of the law, and 577
were returned to the countries from whence
they came by reason of their having be-
come public charges. The total arrivals
were 141,034 less than for the previous year.
National Quarantine.
The Secretary in his report gives an ac-
count of the operation of the Marine-Hos-
pital Service and of the good work done
under its supervision in preventing the en-
trance and spread of contagious diseases.
The admonitions of the last two years
touching our public health and the demon
strated danger of the Introduction of con-
tagious diseases from foreign ports have in
vested the subject Of national quarantine
with increased interest. A more general
and harmonious system than now exists
acting promptly and directly everywhere
and constantly operating by preventive
means to shield our country from the inva-
sion OF disease, and at the same time hav-
ing due regard to the rights and duties of
local agencies, would, believe, add greatly
to the safety Of our people.
The Army.
The Secretary of War reports that the
strength of the Army on the 30th day of
September last was 25.11S enlisted men and
2,144 officers.
The total expenditures of the Department
for the year ending June 80. 1898. amounted
to s5l.966.O74.s9. OF this sum. 81 1892 ISL 80
was for salaries and contingent expenses,
S23,3I1 ,S2S35 for the support of the military
establishment, s6.017, O33. Is for miscellaneous
objects, and S20,51S IL for public works.
This latter sum includes SIS, 290, S16.46 for
river and harbor improvements and 1906
141.20 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, liz, 597 officers and en-
listed men. The officers of the Army de-
tailed for the inspection and instruction of
this reserve of our military force report
that increased interest and marked prog
ress are apparent in the discipline and
efficiency of the organization.
Neither Indian outbreaks nor domestic
violence have called the Army into service
during the year, and the only active mill
tary duty required of it has been in the
Department of 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 authori
ties of both countries.
fiuences of civilization constantly tending to
relieve the country from the dangers of
Indian hostilities. together with the increas-
ing ability of the States, through the eff
cheney of the National Guard organizations,
to protect their citizens from domestic vio-
lence. lead to 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 country. This
change contemplates neither increase in
number nor added expense, but a redistri-
button of the force and an encouragement
of measures tending to greater efficiency
among the men and improvement of the
service.
The adoption of battalion formations for
infantry regiments, the strengthening of the
artillery force. the abandonment of smaller
and unnecessary posts, and the massing of
the troops at important and accessible sta
lions. 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 fo-bidding the re-enlist-
ment Of men after ten years service has not
proved its wisdom, and while the argu-
ments that led to it's adoption were not
without merit, the experience of the year
constrains me TO join in the Recommended
ton for its repeal.
Sea Coast Defenses.
1t is gratifying to note that We have be-
gun to attain completed results in the COM
prehensve scheme of seacoast defense and
fertilization, entered upon eight years ago.
A large sum has been already expended but
the cost of maintenance will be inconsider-
able as compared with the expense of con-
struction and ordnance. At the end of the
current calendar year the War Department
will have nine 12-inch guns, twenty lO-inch.
and thlrty-four S-inch guns, ready to be
mounted on gun lifts and carriages. and
seventy-five Pinch mortars In addition
to the product Of the Army Gun Factory,
now completed at wate-vliet. the Govern
ment has contracted with private parties
for the purchase of one hundred guns of
these calibers, the first of which should he
delivered to the Department for test before
July /, 1894.
Inc manufacture OF heavy ordnance keens
pace with current needs; but to render these
guns available for the purposes they are de-
signed TO meet emplacements must be pre-
pared Tor them. Progress has been made in
'hls direction, and it is desirable that Con-
gress by adequate appropriations should
PROVIDE Tor the uninterrupted prosecution
OF this necessary work
After much preliminary work and ex
haustive examination in accordance ,-t,,,
the requirements of the law, the hoard an
pointed to select magazine rifle of mod
ern type with which to replace the obsolete
springfield rifle of the infantry service
completed its labors during the last wear
ana the work of manufacture is now in
progress at the National Armory at Snrinp-
neld. 1t Is confidently expected that By the
end OF the current year our infantry will he
supplied with weapon equal to that of the
most progressive armies of the world.
Inc work on the projected Chickamauea
and Chattanooga National Military Park
has been prosecuted with zeal and iuds-
ment, and its opening will be celebrated
during the coming year. Over nine souare
miles of the Chickamauga battle field have
been acquired, twenty-five miles of roadway
have been constructed and permanent tab
lets have been placed at many historical
points, while the invitation to the states IN
mark the positions of their troops partic-
ipating in the battle has been very gener
ally accepted.
The work Of locating and preserving the
lines of battle at the Gettysburg hattie
field is making satisfactory progress ON the
plans directed by the last Congress.
The reports of the Military Academy at
West Point and the several schools for
special instruction of officers, show marked
advance in the education of the army and