The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1898-11-12
GEN. CORBIN ON THE ARMY
ANNUAL REPORT Is MADE
PUBLIC.
NEED MORE OFFICERS
Praise For the Vsluute1rs Va Wen as the
Regulars -Plan 30 Improve bands-
Urgai Congress 20 ftuisr Pay

armies OF the United states Including
the regular and volunteer branches.
Discussing the volunteer army General
Corbin says:
since tho signing Of tho protocol, the
officers and men Of the volunteer reel-
| mcnts have remained at their posts OF
duty in most cases az great personal
sacrifice. IT,, they have done this
cheerf,"., and without complaint makes
p all the more desirable that a speedy
increase Of the regular army Doe provided
for. in order that the volunteers may be
released from further service ana Dee al
lowed TO return to their pcnccful voca-
uons."
The following as TO the stan
Much has been said OF late concern
ing the organization OF the sev~al stan
departments II, ns recommended, nd
ditional officers are given the line Of the
army. SO as to give plenty OF trained Of
icers for stan duty in time Of war, the
main objection viii have been met. and
it Is doubtful IT, under all the conditions
peculiar to thia government. general
Reorganization Of the stan or the adop-
tion OF the new systems. viii be found
to be desirable: certainly nothing radical
should be entered upon"
The character OF enlisted men is con-
mentcd upon IN the following:
In 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 remarkcd Every man
looked mt to comand' Their conduct on
transports on murch, IN ba,uc at lei
Caney, San Juan and Santiago gave an
abundance evidence that IFS good opin-
ion was well placed.
Tho officers and men, by their yalorous
deeds and gallant conduct met the high
estimation of the country
General Corbin refers to the law which
prevents the enlistment Of persons who
are not citizens OF the United "a tss and
says;
"The new conditions viii. however.
make a modification Of this statute. dcs-
irable. to the end that the enlistment Of
from one company to a battalion OF nat
ives for each regiment serving in cuba.
Porto Rico ana a., philippines may be
authorized. Tho advantage Of this Is too
obvious for discussion"
The recruiting service I'm tho regular
and volunteer armies IS referred 10.
Lack Of officers In the regular army is
specifically pointed out in n number Of
instances.
General CorbIn has the following to say
concerning the increase or the regular
army:
THE organization Of the cavalry, ar
tillery and infantry regiments has stood
the test Of trial IN battle and received
the approval OF all those in command: 20
that the increase in the limo in the army
demanded by our new possessions. should
be, by the addition Of the number OF reg
lments organized an are those now in
| service. The number OF officers should
be increased by one first lieutenant TO
each troop. battery and command. This
would enable the department 10 meet
the demands TO various details required
the necessary number for their proper
discipline and instruction. and In war. al
low the appointment OF sufficient gener-
ais and staff officers, without destroying
the efficiency OF the army, az threatened
| by the recent experience OF the depart
ment The number Of trained officers as
herein provided for at the beginning OF
the present war would have saved lives
and treasure. to say nothing OF the In
creased efficiency OF the service. At the
beginning Of the war somo 600 officers
were appointed TO the stan and volun-
teer regiments, with these and for aides
to the general and other absolutely re-
quired for the conduct Of tho war. absent
from their commands. the regiments
were sent 10 battle with scarcely more
than one officer 10 the company II is
ldfhcult now. with the sick and wounded
officers, for the department 70 get one
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