The times., 1898-11-12

men, or a percentage OF $4,000
Character of Enlisted Men.
An interesting position of the report is
that which refers to The character Of
the enlisted men, Gen Corbin says:
I'm assembling the regiments of the
regular army at the beginning Of the war
with Spain the character of the enlisted
men arrested attention. A distinguished
foreign officer visiting the Fifth Army
Corps at Tampa, remarked: Every man
looked fit to command Their conduct on
transports. on the march, In battle at
Ell caney. San Juan, and Santiago, gave
abundant evidence that his good opinion
was well placed. The officers and men by
their vaiorous deeds and gallant conduct
met the high expectation of the country.
''The act of Congress approved August
l, 1894, providing for three-year enlist
m-nts did much to bring to the service
good class of men: the further provision
of the act providing
That no person Except an Indian)
who is not a citizen of the United States,
or who has not made a legal declaration
of his intention to become citizen of
the United States, or who cannot speak,
read and write the English language, or
who is over thirty years of age, shall be
enlisted for the first enlistment in the
army
THE enforcement of this law gave the
country, small though 1t was, by COM
mon consent, the finest army the world
has ever known. 1t is worthy of note
that from the time the Fifth Army Corps
left Tampa-June H-until its return to
Montauk Point-August 24-the command
ing general was not called upon to order
a trial of an officer or a soldier by gem
eral court-martial.
1.-The new conditions will however
make modification of this statute
| desirable, TO the end that the enlistment
of from one company TO a battalion of
natives for each regiment serving in
Cuba, Porto Rico, and the Philippines
may be authorized. The advantage of
this is too obvious for discussion"
The report states that of the 2952l men
who enlisted or re-enlisted in the regular
army during the fiscal year ending June
80, 1895. there were "a. 49O native born and
| 5,o3l of foreign birth; 27.l40 were white
2.3i5 colored, and Sc Indians (scouts) The
eniistments numbered 2i,24S, and the re-
| enlistments 5,273 Excluding re-enlist-
| ments, the percentage of native-born ap-
| plicants for original enlistment was 81
the balance being naturalized citizens.
The reports show that the recruiting Off
GERS making the 29.207 enlistments en-
/ braced in the first two items of the fore
4
over q per cent of the number of seeking
enlistment-as lacking in legal, mental and
moral or physical qualifications; 500 of
these were rejected as aliens, and Ass for
| iliteracy.
Increase of the Army.
by the date fixed for the assembling
the direction of the Secretary of War. be
prepared to submit a bill providing for the
increase of the army
| "Officers serving in the West Indies and
the Philippines will. as a rule be sepa-
rated from their families. and their living
expenses greatly increased. 1t is recon-
mended that all officers below the rank
OF major, while so serving, shall have the
pay allowance of the next higher grade
The requirements of probable service
in Cuba and elsewhere call for an increase
of general officers in the permanent estab-
lishment. There should be at least an in
crease of two major generals and foui
brigadier generals. Provision for the
grade of lieutenant general is called 70,
by the best interests of the public ser.
vice"
The cordial relations which justly ex-
list between the regular army and the
National Guard of the several States
have led. in past years, TO the detail of
such oticers of the army as could be
spared for duty with the State forces a,
their annual encampments etc This
course was necessarily interrupted by the
war with Spain, but it is hoped will be
resumed with continued mutual benefi,
In the near future.
Inc necessary reorganization of The
militia OF the several States, resulting
rom the temporary withdrawal of near
~ zoo.ooo OF these troops for active duty
IN the service OF the United States. and
the deep interest felt in the welfare and
efficiency of the National Guard. prom, I.
the suggestion of the following thought.
Tor the consideration of the military au
thorities and legislatures of the seyera
States:
THE readmission into the Nationa
Guard OF the State organizations which
volunteered their services to their coun
try is question having but one poss b.,
. answer-to refuse admission, when de
sired, would practically punish men fo
their patriotic response to the call of III,
general Government
Yearly MiIitin Encampments.
While the yearly State encampment
have been productive of positive good il
. imparting practical instruction to tn
troops participating. the experience @
the recent campaign has demonstrate
: the absolute necessity of further assimi
5 lating the condition of encamped troop
0 to the actual necessities of active ser
I vice by making the men while in cam
n dependent for their subsistence on th
: army ration to be furnished by the Stat
5 authorities, on ration returns, and cook
ed by the troops in precisely the sam
manner as on actual service IN the field
An organization ordered to State cam
for military instruction, relying on ca
terer to furnish the necessary food, ca
never acquire that self-reliance whic
y | characterizes the regular soldier on aC
:, tive duty, for without previously re
r ceived instruction in preparing food tn
natural result when called into servic
Z | will be poorly cooked and wasted ration,
| which failing 10 strengthen the physica
n man, make him liable to febrile an
$ stomachic troubles incident to service
e all kinds of weather. under distressin
but unavoidable conditions.
# For this purpose, involving the issu
o of rations and the purchase of fie
l. cooking stoves and utensils, the annua
4 appropriation made by Congress for III
t. support. in part, of the militia is total
= inadequate, and its increase, urged
e past years, has now become a necessity.
Referring to military attaches abroa
e the report says:
n Recent events have demonstrated tn;
our geographical isolation does not e,
empt us from foreign war, and that
% neglect the employment of every know
!, expedient for keeping abreast of Il
II worlds progress in the military art wou
l. be neglect of what is due the best int
lie ests of the people. Our traditional polio
Ia forbids the maintenance of larger arm
l. than is necessary for our national securi