New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-05-28
CRITICISM OF THE ARMY.
GENERAL BROOKE WAKES UP SOME OF
THE BUREAU CHIEFS.
GRAVE DEFECTS IN ARMS AND EQUIPMENT
POINTED oUT-LACK OF RIFLE PRAC-
r1cE AND ABsENTEEIsM OF OFFICERS.
inv rylrcnArH TO rHE rRiBuNE.l

POINTED oUT-LACK OF RIFLE PRAC-
rIcE AND ABsENTEEIsM OF OFFICERS.
Try TELEGRAPH TO THE rRiBUNEl
Washington. May 27.-The War Department
has received from General Brooke official
criticism OF the troops nearest his headquarters
which shows how much room for improvement
exists among that portion of the finest Army in
the world" and which opens the eyes Of several
bureau chiefs in Washington to the necessity
OF removing so far lies in their power the
most glaring causes of complaint. The report is
the result Of inspection of the Sth Infantry
at Havana by Lieutenant Colonel Philip Reade
Inspector-GeneraI Of the Department. early last
month. 1t appears that the regiment was suf-
fering from absenteeism Of officerc which pre-
vented the recruits. OF which the command is
largely composed. from learning the duties of a
soldier. Arms. uniforms. food. tents lack of
drill and practice and clothing are heads under
which the most pressing reforms re urged. The
report covers at great length and with minute
details all the military shortcomings of the
command. and there appears to be little to
mend except the efforts made by an insufficient
number OF officers attached to make the best of
a bad affair. The following are extracts from
the report:
COMMENT REGARDING CLOTHING.
One advantage regarding the khaki clothing
is that there is plenty Of 1t hand for issue or
sale. II 10 a study in color to inspect regi-
ment clad in khaki When original packages
are opened shades OF brown. sepia snuff. pea
green-even canary green-are noticed. When
donned by the men little summing either
deepens or lightens these shades. and tints
are discovered. After washing the khaki suits
begin 10 become more uniform in color. OF
course, the suits shrink some. l asked Of
hcer what, in his opinion. was the chief recon-
mendation Of khaki. He replied that khaki
had the merit desired by the boarding house
mistress in purchasing plates: Amy color that
wouldn't show dirt"
trouble is that what is called khaki is not
khaki. The cotton drilling used by the
tractors about year ago. on emergency orders
from the Government, in making up what they
called khaki suits, varied as to texture. color,
weight etc. This variation perhaps
avoidaole. The garments admirably served
their purpose. and in the Province OF Santiago,
also at Tampa welcome substitutes for
kersey trousers and for lined flannel blouses
previously warn by our soldiers in Northern
ATTITUDES The minor details now criticised were
then unmportant triles. but criticisms in these
reports fair.
That indigo blue not used in the manu-
tacture Of some OF the shirts contracted for by
the Quarternaster's Department is evidenced.
Some shirts issued by the Quarterma sters De-
partment are more nearly green than blue;
some are dusty brown and otherwise off color.
II Is not practicable here TO ascertain the names
OF these contractors.
DRILL AND TARGET PRACTICE.
practically regiment Of unacclimated recruits,
and the officers transformed into drill sergeants
Tie wartime connections severed, and the
regiment VIII lose not only its military identin-
cation but also its effectiveness unless the mass
is leavened by the assignment Of veterans.
Some Of the defects Of the regiment which 1t
Is an inspectors duty TO report. are OF a minor
character. but more instruction in What is popu-
larly called target practice" is not Of minor
importance.
chain s no stronger than its weakest link.
and in armed conflict the weakest organization
may be the one that cannot shoot we'll Ability
10 shoot well is the ultimate Of a soldiers duty.
Argument ought not 10 be necessary where the
orders are mandatory II these orders are not
complied with our soldiers might we'll be
armed with gaspipes If reasons Of location or
climate are advanced a cause why target
practice cannot be had here. II is submitted
that such be required to be had at Columbus
Barracks, some recruiting depot Of concen-
tration before sending recruits to this depart
ment.
Better vet would be the effect Of instruc-
tons from the War Department to all recruit
ing officers specially 10 enlist for the organiza
lions serving within the limits OF this depart
ment former soldiers OF known qualifications,
and none other
DEFECTIVE ARMS.
Lieutenant Colonel Reade found that great
disparity TO the model existed in the rifles
Of the regiment. Some We're new. others were
FIVE years and others seven years old. Many
were in very bad condition. damaged by use or
careessness. Regarding these he says:
1t does not follow that the usefulness Of mill
tary firearms Of projection depends upon age.
They may be accurate, strong ana serViceaD!e
when worn out and shabby In appearance and
a man who loves particular rifle is like man
who loves a particular horse; he is loath TO
part with IT, and has more faith in its effective
ness than in any other rife. All good rife
shots recognize this; officers encourage this feel
ing Of attachment but the last model OF TINS
magazine rife and carbine made at Springfield,
Mass. for soldiers, is the best model
soldier who uses his rife only 10 drill with oc-
casionay. and not TO shoot with, Is an object
Of rdicule but not Of laughter; the lack OF
ability is too serious a matter TO be laughed
at on the battlefield Of the future the soldier
who has not received the marksman's training
will be as useless as a woman. Emerson quotes,
az an instance OF the ludicrous, an umbrella
floating In mid-ocean. In itself an umbrella Is
commonplace enough, but there is no man VINO
could meet with the emblem OF material clVlllza-
ton aimlessy drifting in the vast solitude OF
the sea without being tickled into smile -,
soldier sallying torth 10 war ,aatad bladder
could not be gravely regarded Good rihe-
shots are not born such, they are mace ~
training and intelligent practice. II is an oph-
cation Of the Government 10 give TO its Regu-
lar soldiers the best and latest model OF hre-
arms Of projection.
INTELLIGENCE OF THE MEN.
The majority Of the men now in the ranks do
not know the names Of their equipments DO
not know the number Of their squad or VINO is
In charge Of It; do not know the condition or
their clothing accounts; do not know what the
soldiers handbook imparts do not know the
component parts OF the ration; do not know
hovy oronerIv 70 care for their own equipments;
are not imbu with the spirit of military tradl-
tions: do not know the extent OF their own ig-
norance upon matters considered elementary
wear ago The men are willing enough. but WILL
ing is hardly being ready
BETTER SOLDIERS NEEDED.
The ARMY is now in a transition stage be-
tween the old and the new. The Sth United
States Regiment suffers from absenteeism II
"a 10 be overloaded with raw recruits. The off,