The Wichita daily eagle., 1894-12-04
WAR DEPARTMENT.
Recommending Coast Defenses and In
crease of the Regular Army.


From the report of the secretary of war
it appears that the strength of the army on
SepJe Der 30, 1894, was 2, 1876 officers and
25 765 enlisted men. Although this is ap-
parently a very slight decrease compared
with the previous year, the actual effective
force has been increased to the equivalent
of nearly TWO regiments. ThrouLh the re-
organization OF the system of recruiting
and the consequent release TO regimrntaI
duty of the large force of men hitherto
serving at the recruiting depots, the
abolition of these tiepots il is predicI ed
will furthermore effect an annual reduc-
tion approximatng S2J0,0l0 in the direct
expenditures besides promoting generally
the health, morals aud discipline of the
troops.
CONCENTRATION OF THE TROOPS.
The execution of the policy OF conceu-
traIiuS the army at important centers of
population ana transportation fore
shadowe1 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 or
ganIzatlons OF the same regiments hIther-
to widely separated This renders our
small forces more readily effective tor any
service which they may be called upon to
perform, increases the extent of the terri
tory under protection without diminish
ing the security heretofore afforded TO any
locality, improves discipline, training and
esprit de corps OF the army, besides cons q =
eraDly decreasing the cost Of its maIuten-
ance. Though the force of the depart-
meut has been somewhat increased, more
/ than three-fOurths of the army ls
! still stationed west of the Miss
/ issIppi. This carefully matUred policy,
! which secures the best and greatest ser
vices in the interests of the general wei
/ fare from the small force comprising our
| regular army, should not be thought
! lesslv EN- baTra~Sed by the creation of new
! and unnecessary posts through acts of
| congress, To crafty the ambitions or in
| tereStS Of localities. While the maximum
| legal strength Of the army Is p 0JJ men
| the effective strength through various
! causes Is but little over 2J0JJ Men. The
! purpose Of congress does not therefore
seem to be fully attained by the existing
condition.
AUGMENTATION OF THE MILITARY.
While no considerable increase
is is demanded '' by by re rSc.ni l0s events, st,Gt :,
the policy Of seacoiSt fortifcatious IN
prosecution o. which we have been stead
lily engaged for some years past has 30 Tar
develop d IS 70 suggest that the etf-c i've
strength of the army be now made at less;
/ eQaal TO the legal strength. Measures Ia
I Ken by the department during the year Is
! have indicated, have already cousldera-
I b,y augmented the effective strength, and
/ the SeCrei aUy OF War presents a plaa
{ which commend TO the consideration al
congress, 10 attain the desired end Econ
omles attained IN the department in o,ueI
lines ot lis work will Offset "a q
great extent the expenditure invoIvet
Ii the proposition Submitted. noaa
other things this coutemplates 'tht
adoption CT TIE three battalion forma
tlou ot regiments which f1r several year.
has been endorsed by the secretaries of wa
RUd geueraiS com handing the army.
compact IN Itself, i provides q Skeleton
organic alton ready TO be filled out IN tn,
event Of war, which i peculiarly adapted
10 our strength and requirements: aud thi
fact that every other nation, with a >in 81
exception, has adopted this formation I,
meet the conditions Of modern wariai,
should secur- fox he communication Al
early consideration.
CALLING OUT THE TROOPS
l. Is hardly necessary 10 recall the fsc-
thar ia obedience 10 he commands Of tnt
constitution aud the laws Tor II,
purpose OF protecting the property OF TIT
United States. aiding t1e process o
the fe;erai coGrt, and removing lswieS
Z Instructions 10 the performance by tn
/ government Of IL lex tim ste functions, i
became necessary II various ioca.It'e
during the year 10 employ On>idegabu
portion or Iae regular troops Toe dat
was discharged promptly, courage il
: and with maI SeJ discretion By th- officer
and men. aud tie most gratifying proc
was thus afforded tha, h srmy deserve.
that complete confidence in it etfic.enc'
Snd discipline which The country has Ut al
times manifested.
The year hs> been free from disturbance.
by Indians aud the chaHc.s oi further
depredStioa> or their part ste CONSTANT,
growing more remote and lrnDrO1aLa