The Washington times., 1901-10-19
Conditions Mt West Point.


General Corbin devotes a part of his
report to the question of hazing at West
Point, in which he says:
Special attention is invited TO the re-
, marks of Colonel Mills, the Superintend-
ent, upon the improved discipline and
general excellent condition of the corps
of cadets. II is safe to predict that haz-
ing. OF a brutal or objective nature is a
thing of the past, and that II will not
soon again be a subject for consideration
by the War Department. Ali in all. it Is
believed by those most competent to
speak that the Academy is in better
condition OF discipline and in everything
that rela tes to its success today than at
any time in its history"
General Corbfn also adds. regarding
West Point:
"The cost of installing a modern sea-
coast battery being too great to warrant
the expenditure at this time, the cadets
of each graduating class should be sent
to Fort Monroe for practice and instruc-
tion in seacoast gunnery, and a thorough
post graduate course therein This could
be done at little expense and with far
better results than could be obtained with
a single battery. which, as has Keen
stated, can only be erected at great ex-
pense. and for this reason IS not urgently
recommended"
The question Of instruction of the army
calls for the following report:
Notwithstanding the enormous amount
Of time. thought, and labor devoted to the
instruction and general training of Of
fcers and men OF the army, there is no
coherent plan which carries forward the
work from one grade to another and con-
meets the valuable work done in the vari-
Gus schools. Now that the reorga MIA tion
of the army under the act or February 2
1901, is about completed, II seems a fit
time TO devise some scheme setting forth
the views Of the Department. in order
that all officers may familiarize them
selves with the full intent as to the course
to be pursued in the future Careful
study and consideration Of what has been
accomplished H. the past. and what ap-
pears to be desirable FOR the future, leads
to the belief that the system of training
for the officers should begin with elemen-
tary technical instruction at each post,
and terminate in the higher training
which would be provided by war col
lege, the speedy and complete organiza-
ti0n Of which is most desirable.
To Increase Efficiency.
TO give life 70 this or any other sys-
TEN, it is essential that a progressive rec
ord Of work done should be introduced
into the scheme. Examination by care
fully selected boards capable of deter
mining an officers practical and techlI-
cal ability to perform the duties Of his
grade, appear TO be an essential clement
In any worthy record system In this wa y
unusual efficiency would be made known
While at the same time cogGiIzance could
n 10 az
gree Of proficiency
1t is regarded as most desirable that
officers of the National Guard or militia
pc authorized to participate In the work
OF the service schools and the War Col
lege to as great an extent as NAV be nos
sible. II Is believed that the details Of
this scheme can be worked out In such 4,
way az to induce no inconsiderabIe num-
Der of ambitious and able young officers
of the State troops to participate sudi-
ciently to famiiariZe themselves with the
work actually done in a well administered
army.
"Oficers who, by their Industry. ability.
and general Intelligence. commend them
selves as worthy Of special recommended
tfon in the various schools should receive
the highest possible cOnsiderat ton of the
Department with a view to utilizing their
services as military attaches instructors
IN the various schools. and for any service
requiring special aptitude.
1T viQ 1Gfc some little time 20 COM
II t. the contemplated improvements at
all the posts where the service schools
are established and to get them in smooth
running order. but this work. under in
structions of the Secretary Of War, viii he
pushed forward as rapidly as existing
conditions Will admit
Trimming for Students.
ESPECIALLY deserving Of consideration
In connection with this scheme. or any
other which may be adopted, is the prop
er development OF the military instruc-
ton Of students in the various colleges Of
the country. The records of these schools
show that while a few have developed d
military element in a proper and compre-
lensive way. some have sought the details
Of army officers partly as advertisement
and that the military portion OF the cur
riculum is so limited as TO be OF no sub
stantial benefit. Since the Department
authorized the detail Of retired officers
with full pay a number OF officers have
sought the detail for the material benefit
accruing from full my and allowances
over retired pay. IL is reported that some