The San Francisco call., 1899-11-02

tain two establishments. Also. that provis-
Ion be made that all officers below the grade
OF major general who retire by reason Of age
the next grade above the rank held by them
in the regular army on the date OF their retire
ment
OF the criticisms of the staff organiza-
ton of the army, General Corbin says:
Much has been written of late concerning a
better staff system. Ours may be, and doubt
less is. open to improvements, but II should be
borne in mind that the present organization is
the result of years of legislation borne Of the
best thought and labor of our best military
men and has stood successfully the test Of all
our wars. The criticisms of our system are
too often the result of disappointment. Seldom
has there one appeared in print whose author
has not been long-standing applicant for a
place in of the staff corps or departments.
The suggestion that our staff officers not
experienced in the duties of line officers is not
borne out by facts
The report dwells on the courtesies
shown our troops by the British Govern
ment officials while stopping at Gibraltar
and elsewhere en- route to the Philippines,
and says this international courtesy will
long live in the memories of both parties
TO the spontaneous exchange. The report
speaks of the unsatisfactory conditions
in Hawaii in relation to land for military
uses, saying:
Sales of Government lands and leases OF
crown lands have continued to the present time
and there is very little of either class left in
immediate control of the Government Should
this action be permitted to continue it Will re-
suit in embarrassment TO the United States.
II is urged. therefore, that certain tracts be
taken without delay from the control Of the
Hawaiian Government and secured to the flu
ture uses of the United States. or have them
declared reservations for military purposes.
Recommendation is made that military
officers serving abroad as military at
taches be given increased rank and pay.
AS the increased army calls for an ad-
ditional number of military academy ca
diets to fill vacancies 1t is recommended
that the President be authorized to ap-
point ten annually and that two be ap-
pointed at large from each State. Z
Satisfaction is expressed that the army
canteen embarrassment has been removed
from the War Department by the action
OF Congress In establishing certain re-
strictions. Recommendation is made that
ditional pay in order to attract to these
places worthy class, willing to stay in
those grades, and that twenty-five years
service as an enlisted man shall be suf-
fcient to admit to the retired list OF en-
listed men.
The condition of the artillery service,
especially of the sea coast, the report de-
scribes as not altogether satisfactory 1t
is believed that the time has arrived
when the artillery branch of the service
should be reorganized and the field ar
tillery separated from that engaged in
the coast defense.
1t is recommended that the regimental
organization of the artillery be abolished
and that corps of field artillery and
one Ol Sed COdSI dTLllleTy De provided
for, separate and distinct from each
other.
In a resume General Corbin says:
The regular army is now practically at a
maximum, are also the volunteer regiments
The work incident to all these changes
brought about by the acts aforesaid, involving
the enlistment of 500 volunteers: the in
crease of the regular army from 26 900 to 60 :
600; its subsequent reduction and then again
it's increase to 60 900. necessitating numerous
orders and instructions bearing on the same
to say nothing Of the complete military record
of every officer and man of this large force
the magnitude of this work cannot be under
stood until undertaken. That this work has
been done with accuracy and intelligence is
now history. All credit is due to the assistants q
and the clerical force Of the office
The report also calls attention to the
fact that not single life has been lost
by accident incident to travel in the
course of all the transportation to the
Philippines.
In conclusion General Corbin points out
an omission of the law in falling to pro-
vide chaplains for the volunteer repi-
ments, and recommends that chapIains
be provided for as soon as possible. as
the presence Of one with each regiment
is deemed very necessary.