The evening times., 1898-10-15

mead q Dr1gadler general tnuS placing tine
commandant on an equality in this respect
with the corresponding rank held by the
heads of departments in the army and
bureaus of the navy.
Centennial of the Corps.
The 11th of July. 1898. was the eenten-
NAL Of the Marine Corps as an orgaaiza-
ton On the sth of June I775. the Cont
mental Congress provided for the forma-
tion of two battalions of marines. con-
sisting of one colonel. two lieutenant
colonels, two majors. and other officers
as usual in other regiments and
that particular care be taken that no per-
son be appointed as officers or enlisted
into said battalions but such as are good
seamen, or so acquainted with maritime
affairs as To be able TO serve TO advaa-
tage by sea when required: that they be
enlisted and commissioned TO serve for
and during the present war with Great
Britain and the colonies. unless dismissed
by order of Congress; that they be distin-
guished by the names Of the first and
second battalions of American Marines
On the 1lth of July, II9S, an act was ap-
proved for the establishing and organtz-
ing of a Marine corps and thus the or
ganization has been in existence as
corps one hundred years, and marines
have been a part of the naval service for
one hundred and twenty-three years
The following casualties have occurred
since the date of my last report: Re-
tired. Major Henry A. Bartlett. February
l. 1895; Col. John II. Higbee June l, 1895
These officers were retired on their own
application, having served over thirty
years Deaths Lieut. Col John l..
Broome retired. April u, 1898.
There have been since my last report
iIS9 casualties in the enlisted strength.
caused by discharges, desertions. deaths
and retirements, and in the same time
there have been IS17 enlistments and re-
enlistmcnts.
The same strict recruiting regulations
in force last year have been continued
this year. with the exception that the
authorized minimum height of men en-
listed for the war was reduced one inch,
and the age limit increased to thirty-flVe
years and an excellent class of men has
been obtained. There are now Isl aliens
in the corps, and of these 119 have declar-
ed their intention to become citizens of
the United States: 800 live in the United
States but have not declared their inteH-
tion to become citizens, and only three
claim foreign residence
There are 1.S9S men on duty at the
various shore stations and 1,6iS on board
ships in commission"
Campaign Clothing Criticised.
The report contains the following re-
port on the campaign clothing issued TO
the marines:
Campaign suits-The material is not
suitable. the color after washing being
nearly as distinct as white at night, and
not offering enough resistance to dews;
and the cut is not desirable. The coat Is
too tight in the chest and back. and il
should have more and larger pockets.
These suits were, however, a great boon
to officers and men during the scorching
days.
Cartridge belts.-I respectfully recon-
mend that the color of these belts be
changed to that of the leggings or to
conform to the color that may be selected
for campaign suits.
Leggings.-These should be cut longer
and. in my opinion, should be bound with
leather and fitted with rawhide Iaces-
Campaign hats--The material of which
they are made is very poor. and this
kind of headgear is unsuitable for very
hot climate. as it is heavy and warm
'Shoes.-Those of the new issue. after
hard wear. have proven very satisfactory.
'Buzzioot Cookers.-These have given
entire satisfaction.
1.-The Lee straight-pull rife has a few
defects which. I have been informed, have
been corrected. If this Is the case. the
Lee will be very superior military arm.
II have also to recommend that cans
ter be issued with the 3-inch navy rifle.
The only ammunition issued to the bat
TALON for these pieces was shrapnel and
it was very difficult to explode this pro-
jectile. with any certainty, at short
ranges.
"Water.-The battalion at Playa del
Este was subjected to frequent incOnyen-
ience and discomfort owing to lack Of
fresh water.
Observation-Disclosures so-called light
weight underclothes would be much bet
ter if they were lighter in weight"