The herald., 1894-10-24
THE CITIZEN S0LD|ERY.
A Regular Army Officers
Observations.
Lieutenant McIvor Files His
Report.
Criticisms of the National Guard of
California.
Lax Discipline ut tho Stockton Eucamp-
ment-The sacramento Fiasco
of July 4th-Too Many
STAFF Ohicers.
BY the Associated Press.

By the Associated Press.
SACRAMENTO, Oct. 23.-Lieut. G.. W.
McIvor Of the regular army, who was de-
tailed to report on the condition of the
National guard, today filed his report
with the adjutant-general. He first
deals with the June encampments OF the
First and Sixth infantry regiments at
Santa Cruz and Stockton, respectively.
and those of the Seventh and Ninth at
Santa Monica. in August. In the
Stockton camp, he says, there were un-
seemly proceedings after taps and little
effort was made to check them, the
officers in some cases taking part in the
disturbances. In the formations Of
companies the men were very slow, the
dely being sometimes 10 minutes. He
was told the men were sleepy and could
not be made to turn out. The camp
regulations were good and he found
much to please him, and the men pre-
sented go cd appearance, but were lax
in the details OF drill. Enlisted men
were careless about saluting officers.
He alao gave instructions to the men
at Santa Cruz and speaks we'll OF their
conduct and efficiency.
A good account is also given OF the
Santa Monica camp.
He devotes considerable space to the
service performed by the National guard
during the railroad strike, going over
ground previously covered in other mil
itary reports. He says the San Fran
cieco regiments went to Sacramento
poorly equipped for service; speaks Of
the meagre breakfast they received on
their arrival, and of the sensational
events of the memorable Fourth of July.
He finds there were 829 men in line. and
1l3 officers. more than one-half the
latter being field and staff officers. The
placing OF the Sacramento men at the
head of the column to confront the
strikera massed at the depot was, he
thinks, an unwBe disposition of the
troops, as the moral effect that might
have gone with the strange troops was
lost. With the crowd of men. women
and children mixed up with the soldiers
and strikers, he says, 1t is doubtful if
arms could have been used if the orders
had been given.
The lieutenant refers to the fact that
with the San Francisco troops at the
east end of the depot, which was open
and unobatructed."
After devoting considerable space to
the situation at Oakland, Lieutenant
ing recommendations
First-A reorganization OF the National
guard into three districts, each under
bn nd nj hri n dscr orol
with headquarters at San Francisco,
Sacramento and Los Angeles, respect
lively.
Sscond-A reduction in the number of
division, brigade and regimental staff
officers to something like the require
ments Of actual service. The excessive
proportion OF staff officers in service dur
ing the strike is matter of some signifi
canoe to the people of California, con-
sidering that they were all under pay.
For example, the First infantry had
with it at one period eight regimental
staff officers performing duties which in
the regular service would ordinarily
devolve upon the lieutenants.
Third-A material reduction in the
number of companies, and increase in
the enlisted strength OF each company,
go that each shall consist of not less
than 80 enlisted men, instead Of 40. as
at present. Under existing conditions,
some of the companies are with diff
Guilty maintained up to the minimum
limit prescribed by law. In San Fran
cisco there are q company organiza.
tions, included in three regimental or
ganjzstions, a battery OF artillery, q
troop of cavalry, q naval battalion and a
signal corps. am inclined to believe
that this is too large q number for all to
be maintained up to the proper standard
in numbers. In many cases throughout
the etate there is habitually a small at
tendance at drills, and companies often
appear at camp as insifiniicsnt squads.
At one encampment of two regiments at
Santa Monica, it wac necessary to COM
bine the two IA company organizati ons
in alb in order to make four company
battalion of sufficient size to illustrate
some of the movements in the drill reg
ulations.
Fourth-Organization Of companies i,
when practicable, into 12-company reg
iments, otherwise into eight-com pany
regiments, or, ii companies are too
widely separated for regimental organi-
zation, into four-company battalions.
Fifth-The maintenance in San Fran
cisco of four.company battalion, to be
uniformed and designated as artillery,
and which, in addition to being drilled
as infantry. shall receive as far as prac-
ticable Instructions in handling heavy
guns. The value OF such force as an
auxiliary to the regular artillery in case
of war is well recognized. The conven-
lent proximity of the forts forming the
defenaes OF the arbor of San Francisco
snd the excellent material in the city
for such force seem to be favorable
conditions.
Sixth-Provision for examination for
appointment in any staff department
and for appointment on the regimentnl
staff.
Election of company officers for a
term Of four years instead OF two. as at
present.
Eighth-A physical examination upon
enlistment in the National guard, and
upon everv re.enlistment.
Ninth-Provision for permanent camp
ing grounds--one in the northern or