The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1901-02-24
(special Correspondence.l

Washington. Feb. 29--NO other artiI-
lery. force of the world supports an
artillery arm with an officer of so low
a rank in command as the new reor-
ganization act specifies. There is bit
ter comment at the rank of chief of ar
tillery not being above colonel, and it
is said that in any other army this of
fee would be one for a major general,
at least. The artillery arm comprises
nearly 10000 men, or practically the
strength of the entire regular army a
few years ago. when not up to its full
enlistment, and for this army colonel
is in charge, with duty on the staff of
the general commanding.
In army reorganization the rule has
been to have major general always
in command of a corps, and artillery
men say that as their branch is now d
corps, and the regimental formation
abandoned, at least d brigadier, if not
a major general should be in COM
mand.
General Shafter was a major general
Of volunteers, with several major gen
erals in command of divisions during
the Santiago land fight, when his total
force never exceeded 10000 troops, and
at the beginning was scarcely above
$4,000 Complaint is made by the ar
tilIery that this branch has suffered
when army plumS were distributed ever
since the civil war, and in but one in
stance has a colonel of artillery in that
time prior TO the Spanish war become
a bTigadieT by transfer. 1t is said that
the appointment of General ". A.
KObbe viii not be charged to that arm.
His appointment is regarded as COM
ing from the volunteers in which he
has served during the Philippine
trouble, and although a major in the
H. - ~ III 81
unteer rank for two years. His aD-
pOintment may result in the selection
of two artillery officers to be briga-
dierS. in which case the selection will
result in the advancement of Colonies
F. l. Guenther and J L Rogers. and
it is likely that the former Will go upon
the retired list shortly after his ad-
vancement.
Colonel Guenther would retire for age
in February, 1902. and Colonel Rogers
in April, 1903. The latter has been
spoken of in connection with the new
office of chief of artillery, but it is I'M
derstood that with his selection for
brigadier generally the chief of artil-
leTy viii be Colonel W. A. Randolph,
who is well qualified for the place, and
who remains in active service until
June, 1905.
Fine Battery for West Point.
The West Point Military academy
will soon have a modern seacOast bat
terry, where cadets may have practical
instruction in handling mOrtars and
large guns, and become familiar with
all types of high ordnance used in the
s--ste-n of coast defense and in the
field.
The aCademy's equipment of ordnance
for years has been obsolete. The same
conditions exist at Annapolis.
The cost Of the new battery at West
Point viii not exceed S167, 900, and in
a letter sent to Secretary Root Gen
eral COrbin draws attention to the
needs Of the institution in this respect
This letter IS as follows:
I have the honor to call your at
tention TO the fact that the armament
Of the present battery at the Military
academy at West Point is composed of
guns Of an obsolete pattern. and is.
consequently, of very little use in the
instruction of cadets who, upon gradu-
alton. are to be called upon to handle
the modern and improved guns, totally
different in their construction and ma
niDulatiOn.
Guns Said to Be Needed.
THE superintendent of the academy
has recommended and the necessity is