The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1897-11-22

security and permit the lives of mil |
lions and the accumulated wealth of |
many generations TO be destroyed or
endangered by any foreign power with |
which we are liable to come into con-
tact, and the general plan for defense !
which has been adopted by the govern |
ment should be steadily pursued until
the nation is in a condition of security
and safety which a due regard to self
preservation would demand.
General Miles recommends that ap-
preparations be made for the purchase
of land needed for Notifications and
their construction, for the construction
of high-power guns, barracks for
troops, ETC., in sea coast harbors of
both coasts. He names the following
places on the Pacific coast: San Diego,
Cal, $725,000; San Francisco, Cal, ST.
5000; Columbia river, 100000; Puget
Sound, $l,140,0o0.
LARGER ARMY NEEDED.
In 1866 the army was organized with
81, 600 men, and that, in the Judgment
of the best military minds and most
eminent statesmen of that day, was
the minimum force which this nation
should maintain. Owing to the fact
that the government was burdened
with an unusual and enormous debt,
and the depressed financial condition of
the country at that time, caused a re-
duction to be made from "a 600 to 49, 00
and then later to so 900, and finally to
$4,000 men, and this standard has re-
NAMED so long that the impression has
become crystalized that such a num-
Der is sufficient for any and all condi-
tons Of the country. The number has
no significance whatever as to the re-
quirements and necessities of the gov
eminent.
It would be wise and tudicious for
congress to establish a standard linn
iting the recruiting of the army for all
future time, unless the conditions of the
country should be other than what can
now be anticipated. The nation is de-
Teloping in most unusual and eXtraor-
binary proportions in wealth and pop
ulation, and as the army is one of the
pillars Of the republic it is proper that
it should grow as the nation grows,
/ commensurate with the needs and re-
quirements Of the latter.
General Miles recommends that
standard be fixed and authorized by
which the strength Of the army should
/ be regulated in time of peace in pro-
! portion to the population and wealth of
I the nation, and that the maximum of
! enlisted men be limited to one soldier
1 to every 1000 population, and the min
imum, one soldier TO every 1000 popu-
I lation, the number actually in service
within this limit TO be determined by
! the president according to the necessi-
! ties and requirements of the govern
ment.
SECRETARY CONCURS.
/ Secretary Alger concurs in the rec
/ concentrations of General Miles re-
/ specting an increase in the artillery
branch of the service, adding: "A bat
terry costing from 500. 900 to $500 900
guard.
Concerning Alaska he says that in a
remote country. where there are no
laws and the territory very extensive,
there is great danger that there may be
4 such lawlessness and need of a re-
! straining force and he, therefore, hopes
that larger powers may be granted to
i provide for any emergency.
A military reservation. with head
quarters on the island of St. Michael,
was created under orders Of the 20th
ultimo. The creating of further mill
tary reservations, in command OF pru-
dent officers, given some discretion,
may best solve the problem. A boat
for TRANSFORMATION and patrol on the
Yukon and its tributaries will be es-
sential and authority is asked to pro-
vide one.
On account of the terrible rigor of the
weather, and also the inducements for
desertion, he recommends that the pay
Of enlisted men serving there be in
creased, with the hope that extra com
pensatiOn viii be an inducement for q
very high grade of men to enlist il
that particular service.
FUSS AND FEATHERS.
q recommend the revival of the
grade Of lieutenant general. All the
great nations Of the world give then
officers much higher rank than does the
United States, and few, even of the
smaller ones, have their commanding
general below the grade of lieutenan
general.
, 1T is found upon a full investiga
ton that the military attaches to tn,
different embassies and foreign court:
2 have much higher rank than those from
the United States, which places us a
a great disadvantage in cases of cere
; mony.'
SOLDIERS HOME.
The report shows that on Sept. 80
1897 there were / IA beneficiaries OF
= the rolls Can increase of 43 over las
year,. and that 724 of the beueficiari-
were present at the home at that date
OF the 724 resident inmates, 566 ar
f receiving pensions from Sc to $50 pc
month. with one receiving $50 and on
p So; and COS had war service.
Y MILITARY ACADEMY.
The number Of officers and instruct
a ors on duty at West Point Sept. 1, 1897
n is the same as on Sept l, 1896, to-wit
n professors, associate professor, 8
commissioned officers. l chaplain,
sword master. and l teacher of music
total. &c.
= The numer of cadets on Sept. 1, 1885,
= was $685. including l foreigner receivin
= instruction by special authority of con
= gress. This is the largest number G
$ cadets that has ever belonged to tn
q academy at one time. During the yea
8 As We're discharged for deficiency i
g studies and l for disability; resign
ed, and IS, including l foreigner, wer
J. graduated, a total loss of 123, Will
!. there were admitted in all, at the ex
n aminations held in March, june an
) August, 129, leaving 81 vacancies.
s The military academy at West Poin
!; can accommodate more students. an
:, if provision is made for two additions
/ regiments of artillery. as recommends Z
# the army can absorb more of its grad
q yates. The superintendent recommend
= legislation to authorize the appoint
n ment of two cadets at large from eac
: state, to be nominated by senator
"a This would give 80 cadets more than