The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1894-12-04
WAR DEPARTMENT.
Ne Present Necessity For Inereasing ths
Army-Coast Foreifacations.

Ne Present Necessity For Increasing the
Army-Coast Fortifacatlons.
From the report of the secretary of war
1t appears that the strength of the army
on Sept. 30, 1894, was 2,135 officers and
%, 705 enlisted men.
Although this Is apparently a very slight
decrease compared with the previous year.
the actual effective force has been in
creased 10 the equivalent of nearly two
regiments through the reorganization Of
the system of recruiting, and the conse-
qnent release TO regimental duty of the
large force of men hitherto serving at the
recruiting depots. The abolition OF these
depots, il is predicted, will furthermore
effect AN annual reduction approximating
$3.50, 900 in direct expenditures, besides
promoting generally the health, morals
and discipline OF the troops. ss,,s
Small Ports Abandoned.
Ths execution of the policy of concen-
trating the ARMY at important centers of
population and tranaportation,y fersshad-
owed in the last annual report of the sec
retary, has resulted in the abandonment
Of Is of the smaller posts, which was eff
fected under plan which assemblies or
ganization of the same regiments hitherto
widely separated. This renderslour small
forces more readily, effective for any serv.
ice which they be called upon to perform,
increases the extent of the territory under
protection without diminishing the secur-
ity heretofore afforded to, any locality, inn
proves the discipline, training and esprit
de corps of the army, besides considerably
decreasing the cost Of it's maintenance.
Though the forces OF the department of
the East have been somewhat increased,
more than, sthree-fourths of the army is
still stationed west of the mississippi u
While the maximum legal strength of
the army is $4,000 men, the effective
strength, for various causes, is but little
over 20, 900 men, The purpose of congress
does not, therefore, seem to be fully at
tanned by the existing condition. While
no considerable increase in the army is, in
my Judgment, demanded by recent events,
the policy-0f sea coast fortifcation, in the
prosecutions of which we have steadily en-
gagged for some years, has so far devel-
oped as to suggest that the effective
strength OF the army be now made at
least equal to the legal strength Measures
taken by the department during the year,
as indicated, have already considerably
augmented the effective force, and the
secretary OF war presents plan which /
recommend tothe consideration OF con-
gress to attain the desired end. ~.
Three Battalion Formation.
Economies effected in the department. in
other lines of its work will offset to
great extent the expenditure involved in
the proposition submitted. Among other
things this contemplates the adoption Of
the three battalion formation of regiments
which for several years has been indorsed
by the secretaries Of war and the generals
commanding the army.
An Aliusion Co Interior Disturbances.
1t is hardly necessary to recall the fact
that IN obedience to the commands of the
constitution and the laws, and for the
purpose OF protecting property of the
United states, aiding the process of the
federal courts, and removing lawless OBJ
structions to the performance by the gov
Eernment OF its legitimate functions, it be-
came necessary I'm various localities dur
ing the peesent year to employ q consider
able portion of the regular troops. The
duty was discharged promptly, courage
sously, and with marked discretion by the
officers and men, and the most gratifying
proof was thus afforded that the army de-
serves that complete confidence i'm its eff 1
cheney and discipline which the country
has at all times. manifested
The year has been free from disturb
ances by Indians and the chances of fur
ther depredatIons on their part are con-
stantly becoming more remote and i'm
probable.
Coast Armament.
/ The skill and industry Of our ordnance
officers and Inventors have, it ID believed, i
overcomeathe mechanical obstacles which
have heretofore, delayed the armament OF
our coasts, Bns this great national under
now proceed as rapidly rs congress shall
determine. With d supply OF finished
gnnsof isrgeealihre already on hand, to
which addition should now rapidly follow
the wisdom OF providing carriages and
emplacements fors their mount can not be |
too strongly urged
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