Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1894-12-14

The President Speaks of Centralizing
Troops Mt Big Posts.

The President Speaks or Ccntrnlizins
Troops ut Big Posts.
From the report of the secretary of
war, il apears that the strength OF the
army on September &c. 1894. was 2.1S5
officers and 25,765 enlisted men. AL
though this is apparently a very slight
decrease compared with the previous
year, the actual effective force has been
increased to the equivalent of nearly
two regiments through the reorganiZ-
alton Of the system of recruiting and
the consequent release to regimental
duty of a large force of men hitherto
serving at the recruiting depots. The
abolition of these depots, it Is predict
ed, will furthermore effect an annual
reduction approximating $3.50, 900 in the
direct expenditures, besides promoting
generally the health, morals and disci-
pline of the troops.
CENTRALIZE THE TROOPS.
The execution of the policy of con-
centrating the army at important cen
tres of population and transportation.
foreshadowed in the last annual report
of the secretary, has resulted in the
abandonment of Is of the smaller posts.
assembled the organizations of the
same regiments hitherto widely sepa-
rated. This renders our small force
more readily effective for any service
which they may be called upon to per-
form; increases the extent of territory
under protection without diminishing
the security here tofore afforded to any
locality; improves the discipline, train
tt,.r do Of he
besides considerably decreasing the
cost of its maintenance.
Though the forces of the Department
of the East have been somewhat in
creased, more than three-fourths of the
army is still stationed west of the
Mississippi This carefully matured
policy, which secures the best and the
greatest service in the interest of the
general welfare from the small force
comprising our regular army, should
not be thoughtlessly embarrassed by
the creation of new and unnecessary
posts through the acts of congress to
crafty the ambitions or interests of
localities.
SEACOAST FORTIFICATION
While the maximum legal strength
through various causes is but little over
10000 men. the purpose of congress
does not therefore seem to be fully at
tanned by the existing conditions While
no considerable increase in the army Is
in my Judgment demanded by recent
events, the policy of the sea coast for
tifications, in the prosecution of which
we have been speedily engaged for
some years has SO far developed as to
suggest that the effective strength Of
the army be now made a least equal to
the legal strength. Measures by the
| department during the year as indi-
Gated have already considerably aug
mented the effective force, and the sec
rotary of war presents plan which
recommend to the consideration of con-
gress to attain the desired end Econ
omies effected IN the department in
other lines of work will offset to a great
extent the expenditure involved in the
propositions submitted, Among other
things this contemplated the adoption
of the battalion formation of regi-
ments, which for several years has been
Endorsed by the secretaries of war and
the generals commanding the army,
Compact in itself, it provides a skeleton
organization, ready to be filed out in
the event of war. which is peculiarly
adapted to our strength and require
ments. and the fact that every other
nation with a single exception, has
adopted this formation to meet the con-
dtions of modern warfare should alone
secure for the recommendation an
early consideration.
INTERNAL TROUBLES.