Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1894-12-04
STRENGTH OF THE ARMY.
On Sept. 80 There Were 2,ls5 OMcers and
81, s65 Enlisted Men.


From the reports of the secretary OF war it
appears that the strength OF the army on Sept.
~. 1884, was 2.IS officers and 25.1d5 enlisted
men. Although this is apparently very slight
actual effective force has been increased to the
equivalent of nearly two regiments through
the reorganization of the systom of recruiting
and the consequent release to regiments of the
large force of men hitherto serving AT the re
cruiting depots. The abolition of these depots.
II Is predicted. will furthermore effect an an
nual reduction approximating S2500S in the
direct expenditures. besides promoting gen
orally the health, morals and discipline of the
troops.
The execution Of the policy of concentrating
the army at important ceriters of population
and transportation, forshadowed in the last
annual report OF the secretary. has resulted in
the abandonment Of fifteen of the smaller posts
which was effected under a plan which assem-
Dies organizations OF the same regiments hith-
erto widely separated. This renders our small
force more readily effective for any service
creases the EXTENT Of territo T pro.ec
ton without diminishing the security hereto
fore afforded any locality, improves the disci-
besides considerably decreasing the cost Of
maintainence. Though the forces of the de
p part, OF the east have been some
fourths OF the army is still stationed west of
the mississippi. This carefully matured policy.
which secures the best and greatest service in
the interests of the general welfare from the
small force comprising our regular army
should not he thoughtlessly embarrassed by
the creation of new and unnecessary posts
through acts of congress to crafty the ambi-
tons or interests of localities. While the max
lmum legal strength of the army is s,.tAN men
the effective strength. through various causes
Is but little over sO.WO men. The purpose of
congress does not therefore. seem to I've fully
attained by the existing condition.
SescOnst Fortifcations.
While considerable increase in the army is
in my Judgment demanded by recent events
ecution Of which we have been steadily en-
gagged for some years has 40 far developed rs
to suggest that the effective strength of the
army be nowi made at least equal to the
legal strength. Measures taken ny the de
partInent during the year indicated. have
already considerably augmented the effective
force, and the secretary of war presents a
plan which recommend to the consideration
OF congress TO attain the desired end. Econo-
OF Its work Will offset to a great extent the
expenditure involved in the proposition sub
mitted. Among other things this contemplates
the adoption of the three battalion formation
OF regiments which for several years has been
Endorsed by the secretaries of war and the gen
erals commanding the army. Compact in it
self 1t provides n skeleton organization. ready
to be filed out in the event of war. which is
peculiarly adapted to our strength and require
ments; and the TACT that every other nation.
alton to meet the conditions Of modern war
fare, should alone secure for the recoinmenda-
ton an early consideration. 1t is hardly neces-
sary to recall the fact that in obedience TO the
commands OF the constitution and the laws
and for the purpose of protecting the property
federal courts and removing lawless obstruc-
tions tn the performance by the government of
its legitimate functions it became necessary in
various localities during the year to employ a
considerable portion of the regular troops
The duty was discharged promptly, courteous
~ and with marked discretion by the officers
and men. and the most gratifying proof was
thus afforded that the army deserves that com
plete confidence in its efficiency and discipline
which the country has at all times manifested
The year has been free from disturbances nv
Indians and the chances OF further depreda-
tons on their part are constantly becoming
more remote and Improbable
The total expenditures for the war depart
nent for the year ended June 80, lsat, amount
ed TO J6Gl.Ua4 OF this sum s.. Wn,6li ~ was
for salaries and contingent expenses: SCI,
ments; s5oi ,es:.s' for miscellaneous objects
sum includes sia 494, i7 ~ for river and harbor
improvements and S3N! .stS So for fortifica-
tons and other works OF defense. The APP
S524sp. 1l27S and the estimates submitted by
tine secretary Of war for the next fiscal wear
call for appropriations amounting to s52,3Is-
The skill and industry Of our ordnance officers
and inventors have, it Is believed overcome the
layed the armament of our coasts. and this
great national undertaking upon which we
have entered may now proces,! as rapidly as
finished guns of large calibre already on
hand. TO which additions should now rapidly
follow. the " sdom of providing carriages and
emplacements for their mount cannot be too
strongly urged.
Increase I'm the Militia.
The total enrollrsent of the militia of the
several states is ll7,53 officers and en-
listed men, an increase Of 53x3 over the
number reported at the close of the present year.
The reports of elections by regular army on
GERS show n marked increase in interest and
efficiency among the state organizations and 1
strongly recommend a continuance Of the pol
icy OF affortiing every practical encouragement
possible to this important auxiliary OF our mill
tary establishment.
The condition Of the Apache Indians. held as
prisoners by the government for eight years at
9 cost OF half million dollars. has been changed
during the year from captivity TO one which
capacity for seif-support and at least partial
civilization Legislation enacted ct the late
session Of congress gave the war depart.
ment authority to transfer the surviv.