The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1895-12-04
NEWS FROM WASHINGTON.
THE u. S. ARMY.
Annual Report of the Secretary of War
Lamont.

The annual report OF Daniel s. Lamont,
Secretary Of War, says that never In Its his
tory has the present condition OF the army
been surpassed. The full strength OF the
army authorized by law is 2,126 officers and
25,706 enlisted men. The number Of enlisted
men in service on october 81 was 25,35s.
For the last two years the department has
steadily pursued the policy OF restoring OIL
GERS to their commands and reducing
wherever possible the number OF those on de-
tached duty. Changes established in the
method OF recruiting during the past two
years have considerably reduced the cost OF
that service, while perceptibly increasing the
effective strength OF the army.
The most essential need OF the army. the
Secretary says, Is the adoption OF the three
battalion formation. 10 secure this will re-
quire IN increase OF 1000 In the number Of
enlisted men. The efficiency would be in
creased 20 per cent, the number 16l6 per
cent. and the cost of maintenance only 0 per
cent. Modern methods OF warfare make the
change desirable, rs IN modern warfare the
men will act in small groups or singly, and
one officer cannot watch 1000 men.
The Secretary recommends change In the
law governing the appointments Of chiefs Of
stan departments, so that the class eligible
shall include the whole army, line and staff.
He alsc recommends that nominations for
promotions be extended 80 as to include all
officers below the grade Of Colonel. A fur.
ther recommendation is that the President be
permitted to name 10 cadets at large each
year to the West Point Military Academy, in
order to keep II iull.
OF the National guard OF the States, he says
the conditions are favorable to the develop.
ment OF n volunteer force ofupward OF 100 coo
fLen, Of the highest efficiency and prepared
for the service. Legislation, however, Is
necessary. The laws OF the United States re.
latlng to tho militia were enacted In 1892 The
appropriation for the National Guard has re
mained unchanged for many years, although
the couatry's population has multiplied many
fold
The Secretary again urges the prosecution
OF work on present defenses The plan de.
vised by the Endicott bonrd In 1886 contempt.
lated an expenditure OF s97, 7S2, sOoby the end
OF the present year, but the actual expendi.
lures have been only sl0,63l 600
Under that plan az posts were to be defend,
cd. At the present rate OF appropriations II
will require 10 years to complete the work.
The amount required for Is posts at which
work is In progress is about sS2000,000 An
nual appropriations Of "a, ,250. 200 for ~ year:
will complete the guns and carriages re-
quired.
Tho Secretary recommends the appointment
OF q board OF officers of the army to have
haye the direction and supervision Of coast
defenses.
As to river and harbor Improvements. the
Secretary says the engineer In charge Of the
work have made estimates OF appropriations
amounting TO S48, 1897 ,027 for the next year
but he thinks much smaller amount will nc
com plish all that Is necessary. OF battlefield
parks, the Secretary says there are at least &C
places where important engagements were
fought, and II they are to be made into parks
1t will require an expenditure OF $40, 900. .000