New-York tribune., 1901-10-19
FOR ARMY IMPROVEMENT.
IMPORTANT RECOMMENDATIONS MADE
BY ADJUTANT GENERAL CoRBIN.
lBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE ]


ual chief Of STAFF of the military establishment.
his ripe experience in conducting the army
ganization and his recent inspection beyond the
Pacific Ocean, makes many recommendations
which win attract attention in Congress, and
which, in instances at least. are likely TO
shape legislation for the Improvement Of the
army. Chief Of these. perhaps. is earnest
argument in favor Of the substitution for the
army transport service in the Pacific Of
tracts with commercial lines for carrying the
troops. freight and mails in that ocean. thereby
encouraging the upbuilding of a great merchant
marine to the advantage OF American CONNER
cial progress in the Orient. Many within and
without the army will doubtless disagree with
General Corbin, who treats the matter in his
customary vigorous and courageous manner,
and, Notwithstanding the extremely heavy ex-
pense Of the service as maintained, will
prefer TO have the government retain absolute
control of the marine transportation Of its forces
as a military necessity. General Corbn rests
the urgency of an American cable across the
Pacific the fact that messages TO Manila now
cost 50 3S a word and are transmitted through
other countries
Another important recommendation is that
the army be placed on equal footing with the
navy in regard 10 the retirement OF officers who
have served in the last two great wars, and
points out the injustice TO Merritt Brooke and
the retired rank they would have had If the
army had not been engaged in war, in spite OF
their conspicuous service.
General Chaffees experience in China with
the rowdyism of non-combatants dressed In
soldiers uniforms is cited as showing the neces-
sity for a distinctive uniform for officers ser
wants, teamsters and other employees.
General Corbin regards IL safe 10 declare that
hazing, particularly of a brutal nature, is
and
commends to favorable action by Congress the
rehabilitation Of the West Point hotel. He be-
leves I'm sending cadets to Fort Monroe for
practice with coast batteries. The attention of
Congress is earnestly directed 10 the advisabity
OF giving the rank, pay and allowances of a
lieutenant colonel 10 all officers selected for the
important and delicate duties OF military at
taches abroad, only those officers possessing
large privi te means being able 10 afford service
in those capacities at present. Further restric-
tiOns TO govern the commissioning OF enlisted
men are proposed 20 insure their aptitude 10
command. with longer period Of probation, and
attendance at one Of the service schools is sug-
gesued in the course Of extended consideration
of the subject.
In reviewing at great length the reports Of all
general and stan officers the Adjutant General
emphasizes General MacArthur's view of the
capture of AgUinaido the most momentous
well as this sentence in that generals report:
The conclusion is therefore reached that in war
every resource Of administration should be invoked
70 devise new ana ingenious Helloos OF soehalhe
money so long as money alone is required TO Keep
the soldier m good health. which means TO keep
u him contented and efficient
REDUCTION OF PHILIPPINE FORCE.
General Corbin submits a table TO show that
the army in the Philippines is TO be reduced by
expired enlstments at the rate Of about 2oe0
ra,.,a l,ag
tion whether the regiments thus depleted in
strength are to remain so, or be recruited to
their fun roster, he says, is one requiring the
earliest consideration for if the latter is con-
templated il is already time TO begin special re-
cruiting.
The losses from all causes in the regular army
and the volunteers from July /, 1900 TO June 80
1901 were 16924 officers and men in the former
and 8 19l in the latter. The casualties among
the troops in the Philippines since the date Of
the first arrival, June 30. ls9s. TO June 30 last
Were 1l5 officers and 3,37s men killed, and ls2
officers and 2.646 men wounded. General Cor
bin dwells at some length on the subject OF the
volunteer army in the Philippines and calls at
tention TO the promptness ana dispatch with
which these regiments were brought home and
mustered out.
TRAINING OF OFFICERS.
He devotes especial attention 10 the question
of the instruction of the army. He believes
that the system Of training for the officers
should begin with elementary technical in
struction at each post. and terminate in the
higher training which would be provided at
war college the speedy and complete organiZa-
tion OF which he considers most desirable
The general says that II has been reported
20 him thar retired army officers detailed with
fun pay as military instructors, IN some an
stances. do not even live at the colleges and
only occasionally visit them. This state OF al
fairs he says, should he corrected
General Corbin recommends that the old law
recurring that each candidate from the ranks
FOR a commission in the army be "non-com-
missioned officer in good standing who has dis,
ayed aptitude for command ana cohtfol OF
men pc revived. Whila great many excel
lent young men have come into the service as
officers under the present law, which opens the
way for commissions TO enlisted men VINO nave
had two years service, General Coroln says
that a number Of others have entered the army
as officers in this way who are not Up 10 the re-
uuirements Of their rank.
Justice has been already too long delayed, Cen
eral Corbin saws in the matter Of the medals
for eEceutional war service recommended by
President Mckinley in his message 20 Congress
In 1899 for the volunteers. regulars, sailors ana
marines duty in the Philippine Islands, VINO
voluntarily remained in the service after their
terms Of enlistment had expired. In order 10
serve their country in extremity, and he
urges that this matter be brought the atten-
tion OF Congress with renewed emphasis. Gen
eral COrhin also cordially approves a movement
20 give service medals 10 all officers and men of
the regular and volunteer troops who honorably
served in the war with Spain, in the Philippines
and in China.
He urges that more comfortable quarters for
the troops Ia the Philippines be provided
soon possible and that an appropriation be
MADE for the erection OF stOrehOuses I'm and
about Manila where the government now Pays
100000 annually for the use Of rented build
lngs. II these suggestions are adopted General
Corbin says, the cost Of maintaining the army
IN the Philippines will be scarcely more than if
the troops were on home stations.
The last chance . 10 resis,sr is given today;
.. M, ana help defeat Tammany in The siee-