Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1897-11-22
SECRETARY ALGER
Makes His Annual Report as
Secretary Of War.
All the Army Officers Urge an In
crease Of Standing Army.
military Academy Enlisimsnts Ordnance
appropriations.

military Academy Eniisimsnts 30 rdinanes
appropriations.
Washington. Nov. 21.-The report of the
secretary of war includes synopses from
the different officers embracing the prin-
cipal and more important matters of their
reports. Extracts heretofore published
show the nature Of General Miles report.
Concerning it Secretary Alger comments
as follows:
1t is earnestly urged that his recon-
mendation concerning two additional reg
iments of artillery be favOrably consid-
cred We are erecting great seacoast
batteries. as he says, without men to man
them. These costly works should, as soon
as completed, be manned by a sufficient
force to care for and preserve them. and
TO become familiar with the handling of
the guns. the manipulation of which re-
quires experienced services, to be ready at
all times to operate them. A visit to any
OF these batteries must convince any
practical mind of the necessity for imme-
date action in this matter A battery
costing from 100000 to 100000 ought not
to be manned by corporars guard.
WITHIN the past year, as is of course
wen known, the great territory of Alas
ka has opened up a new problem. 1t is
probable that within another year a very
large number of people may be gathered
there, estimated by many conservative
men as high as 100000, and l urgently sug-
gest that some adequate measures be
adopted by which a military force can be
sent to that territory. If need be- to guard
persons and property. In a remote coun-
try where there are no laws, and the ter
ritory very extensive. there is great dam
ger That there may be much lawlessness
ana need of a restraining force and l
hnn bot
granted the executive, to provide as far
as possible for any emergency that NAV
arise.
On the Goth day of September, Lieuten-
ant-Colonel Randall of the Eighth Infan-
try. with two officers and % men. ACCOM-
panied by a surgeon and three assistants
were sent to st. Michael to establish a
post, and for the purpose of g0arding
property and preserving the peace The
command arrived safely on the 9th ulti-
mo. "A military reservation. with head
quarters on the island of St. Michael
was created under orders of the Goth ul-
timo. The creating of further military
reservations. in command of prudent Of
ncers. given some discretion. may best
solve the problem. boat for transpor-
tation and patrol on the Yukon and its
tributaries will be essential, and author
ity is asked to provide one
On account of the terrible rigor of the
weather. and also the inducements for
desertlon, | recommend that the pay of
the enlisted men serving there he in
creased. with the hope that extra COM
pensation will be an inducement for a
very nigh grade of men to enlist in that
particular service.
:. recommend the revival of the grade of
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT. All the great nations
of the world give their officers much
nigher rank than does the United States
ana rev, even of the smaller ones have
their commanding general below the
grade of Acknowledgement
II Is found upon full investigation that
the military attaches to the different en-
oassies and foreign courts have much
nlgher rank than those from the United
states. which places us at a great disad-
vantage in cases of ceremony Even
small countries send officers with the
rank corresponding with that of lieu
tenant-colonel. colonel. and even briga-
dler-general. and they take precedence in
all matters of ceremony. The cost of liv-
ing is greatly increased. also. at those
stations 1t seems to me to be unjust to
our officers. l therefore recommend that
the military attaches to the different en-
bassies be given the rank and pay. while
serving. of colonel. and that the attaches
at legations be given the rank and nav of
lieutenant-colonel while serving. or at
least the rank and pay of major This
higher rank is accorded to the superin-
tendent of the military Academy at West
Point and also to the officer in charge of
public buildings and grounds in the Dis
trict of Columbia. while the pay of the
engineer commissioner of the District of
Columbia. who is detailed from the
corps of engineers. is increased to that of
commissioner ($50O0) while serving as
such. The commandant of cadets at West
Point has the increased rank of lieuten-
ant-colonel, and the principal assistant in
the ordnance bureau of the war depart
ment and the ordnance storekeeper at
Springfield armory have the increased
pay of major.
1t may be recalled that Gen. Miles in
his recommendations respecting Alaska.
said:
AS far as practicable. it would, in nv
opinion. be advisable to have its waters
thoroughly examined by such of the ma
val forces as could be used for that pur-
pose and as military accommodating and
exploring parties in past years have been
sent into that country to furnish knowl-
edge OF its character. resources. and nee
essities, this. in my judgment. should be
continued on a larger and more liberal
scale. While there is now no conflict be-
tween the population, composed of some
10000 Indians and the white explorers and
settlers. as the former are supplied with
modern arms, they may become turbulent
and troublesome. Such has been the his
tory of nearly all the tribes in other ter
ritories. Hence it would be but reason
able to anticipate the necessities for mil |
itary forces in that territory by the es-
of at least three military
forces in that territory by the establish |
ment. of at least three military posts to |
support the civil authorities to give pro-
lection to the white settlers. and to aid in |
law and order in that remote |
part of our country.
In the report of General Otis it will be |
that during the year there has |
been conflict with the authorities and
of the peace by the Indians |
through that portion of the |
Rocky Mountain region, but by judicious |
and prompt action of the |
civil authorities and military forces seri-
Dus disturbances Of the peace have been |
avoided"
Respecting the Military Academy. Gen. /
Alger says:
The Military Academy at West Point
ian accommodate more students, and If +
provision is made for two additional regi-
nents of artillery. as recommended, the
army can absorb more of its graduates.
rhe superintendent recommends legisla-
ion to authorize the appointment of two
cadets at large from each state, to be
nominated by senator's. This would give
% cadets more than at present 1t is de-
,irable that there should be no surplus
Z |