The herald., 1894-12-04

slight decrease, com pared with the pre-
vious year, the actual effective force hal
bcen increased to the equivalent o
nearly two regiments though the reor-
ganization OF the sy stem OF recruiting
and the consequent release to regi.
mental duty of the large force of mer
hitherto serving at the recruiting depots
The abolition OF these depots, it is pre-
dicted, will furthermore effect an annual
reduction approxima.ing $3.50. GOO in the
direct expenditures, besides promoting
generally the health, morals, and dis
ciplins OF the troops.
The execution OF the policy OF con-
centrating the army at important CEN
ters OF population and transportation
iorcshadowed in the last annual report
OF the secretary, has resulted in the
aba odonment of l5 OF tho smaller posts,
which was effected under a plan which
assemblies organizations OF the
same regiments hitherto widely
separated. This renders our small
forces more READILY effect
i've for any service which they may be
called upon to perform, increases the
extent of the territory under protection,
without diminishing the security here
tofore afforded to any locality. improves
the discipline, training and esprit de
corps OF the army, besides considerably
decreasing the cost OF it's msintenaDcs,
though the iorccs OF the department. OF
the east have been somewhat increased,
more than three.fourths OF the army is
still stationed west OF the Missie-
sippi. This carefully matursd policy
which secures the best and greatest
service in the interest of the general
welfare from the small forcs comprising
our regular army. should not be thought.
lessly embarrassed by the creation OF
new and unnecessary posts through acts
OF congress to gratity the ambitions or
interests Of localities.
While the maximum legal strength OF
the army is $4,000 men, the effective
strength, through various causes. is bat
little over 10000 men. This purpose Of
congress does mot. therefore. aeem to be
fully attended by the existing
condition. While no considerable
increase in the army is, in my
judgment, demanded by recent events,
the policy OF seacoast fortidcation, in the
prosecution of which we have been
steadily engaged for some years, has go
far developed as 80 suggest that the
effective strength Of tho army be now
made at least equal to the legal
strength.
Measures taken BY the department.
during the year, "a indicated. have
already considerably augmented the
effective force, and the secretary OF war
presents plan which recommend to
the consideration OF congress, TO attain
the desired end. The economy effected
in the department in other lines OF work
will affect to great extent
the expenditure involved Ia the
submitted. Among 9TH
or things this contemplates the
adoption OF the battalion forma-
tion OF regiments which for several years
has been endorsed by the secretaries Of
war and the generals commanding the
army. 1t provides for skeleto organ
ization ready to be filled out in the
event OF war. which 10 peculiarly adapt
ed to our strength and requirements and
the fact that every other notion, with a
eingle exception, has adopted thss form.
alton TO meet the conditions OF modern
warfare. should alone secure for the rec
an early consideration.
1t is hardly necessary to recall the
fast that in obedience to the commands
OF the constitution and the laws. and for
the purpose of protecting the property
OF the United States, siding the process
OF the federal courts and removing law.
less obstruction to the performance by
the government of its legitimate func-
tions, it became necessary in various lo-
calities during the year to employ con-
siderable portion of the regular troops.
Tho duty was discharged promptly,
and with marked discrs-
tion by the officers and men and the
most gratifying proof was thus afforded
that the army deserves that complete
in its efficiency and disci-
plire which the country has at all
times manifested.
The year has been free from disturb.
ances of Indians, and the chances OF
Iurther depredations on their part are
becoming more remote and
The total expenditures Of the war de-
psrtment for the year ending June 80
1894. amounted to $56 .039. .009.34. Of
this sum $2,000,6l SO was for salaries
and contingent expenses, $23, ,G65. l5b. is
Ior the support Of the military estab.
lishments, $50,O0l .eS2.23 for miscellan.
sous expenses, and s25, ,371, ,l55 96 for
public works. This latter cum includes
SIS, 494 ,0S7.4 40 for river and harbor i'm.
and $S, ,9i7 1868 56 for fortifi-
cations and other works Of defense. The
for the current year ag~
xregats $52, ,429, l12.73. and the estimates
submitted by the secretary OF war for
the next fiecal year call for approprig-
tiona amounting to s52 3lS. 620.55.
The Hkill and industry OF our ordnance
officers and inventors have. it is be-
lieved, overcome the mechanical OBJ
stacles which have heretofore DELAYED
the armament of our coasts, and thls
great national undertaking upon whiol
we have entered, may now proceed
as rapidly as congress shnll determine
With q supply OF finished guns OF large
caiibre already on hand to which addi-
tions should DOW ropidly follow. the
wisdom OF providing carriages and en-
placement for their mount, cannot be
too strongly urged.
The total enrolment of tho militia of
the several states is 1T. .533 officers nd
enlisted men, an iucreses of 6l,3.3
the close OF the previous wear,
LILO IopOIto VI uiiItutv luep6ctipub Nv
regular army officers, show a marked
increase in interest and efficiency in he
state organizations, and l strongly rec.
continuance of the policy of
every practicable eocourage-
ment possible to this important auxll-
iary OF our military establishment.
Tho condition of the Apache Indians
held as prisoners by the government for
dollars, has been changed during the
uaar fvOu mn of rantivitv to oua NJ h ich