Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-09-22
GEN. BROOKE'S REPORT
OPERATIONS OF DEPARTMENT OF
THE EAST.
Training of Young Artillery Officers
Land Defense Of Fortifica-
tons Lacking.

has made report to the War Department
of the operations of the military department
Of the east during the past fiscal year,
while he was in command before his retire.
| ment. This department embraces the At
lantic coast and the gulf and Porto Rico
and adjacent islands and includes all the
posts in this vicinity.
He refers to the preparation made for the
joint army and navy maneuvers at the east
ern entrance of Long Island sound. He says
that during the year many letters have been
written from his headquarters calling at
tention to the needs Of various posts. These
letters on file in the adjutant generals
Office and he suggests that they be taken up
in connection with his report. He calls at
tention to the urgent need Of more suitable
quarters for officers and barracks for
enlisted men at sea coast ports, and espe-
cially to the need of quarters and barracks
at various southern posts.
General Brooke gives strong indorse-
ment to the following recommendation of
the chief paymaster:
1T has always seemed to me that marks
men and sharpShooterS In the infantry and
cavalry arms of the service should receive
additional pay, say 81 per month for the
former and 81 for the latter. Certainly
soldier who can hit the object aimed at with
his rifle is more valuable to the government
than one who cannot. A small increase Of
in this direction and do much toward i'm
proving the craftsmanship of the army"
Discussing affairs of the army in Porto
Rico he says: THE exorbitant charge
levied by the city of San Juan for water
used by the army could be removed by the
erection of distiling plant"
Training for Young Officers.
General Brooke recommends that the
large number of young officers that have
come into the artillery by the increase of
the force should be given a fundamental
training that will enable them to carry
their new duties Understandings. He says
they have no experience in handling the
rapid fire and large guns nor have they had
the technical educa ton necessary that is so
essential to modern artillerymen.
The reports of theinspector general Of the
department indicate that there Is IAN ad-
mirable condition of discipline and in
struction in the various commands
The Army Praised.
'In conclusion" says General Brooke, Il
wish to say that never during a service of
over forty-one years have 1 seen the army
in such excellent condition as 1t is today.
AS was the case in 1866, 1T will be neces-
sary to train the young officers, as well as
the young soldiers, in their several duties.
This remark applies especially to the artil-
lery, the armament Of which has been rev.
olutionzed within the last few years, and
it will require time to evolve the best meth
DDS necessary to make 1t the success we all
hope for.
Having spent my life since early man
hood in the service Of my country. l am
about to retire from active service with
my interest in the progress Of our army
undated, and with the hope to see 1t reach
that professional standing which appears
to be near at hand.
Il shall carry with me in my retirement
n fn oil hot
officers and soldiers, for the evidence they
have shown of the discipline, officer-like
conduct and soldierly bearing, which have
always been the pride and glory Of our
army.
Land Defense Of Fortifcations.
attention is again invited to the fact
that apparently no provisions have been
made for the land defense of our most ex-
tensive Notifications. This has been en-
phasized in preparing plans for the coming
army and navy maneuvers. AS fortifica-
tions are made stronger the necessity for
consideration Of the subject of land de-
Tense becomes more pronounced. Where
such strong Notifications are erected that
the enemy cannot hope to force a passage
in his ships. his only recourse will be to
capture the defense through land attacks.
No forts nor earthworks have been con-
structed to aid in repelling such attacks,
anu, 81 Lar DIS KNOW, no pans nave Deen
made looking to the consideration Of this
subject In the near future.
'All posts should have sufficient accom-.
modations for the troops necessary to form
an adequate garrison for them. At this
time the present restricted strength Of the
seacoast artillery does not give any post
one relief al the guns. The reservations
should also be made more attractive and
the Qualifications themselves beautified and
improved by the growing of grass upon
them. 1t has been found by actual test that
the shifting sands which surround most OF
the southern sea coast defenses may be con-
trolled and retained in place by the plant
Ing of grass. This method of controlling
the sands not only beauties the post,
but is very desirable from an economical
point of view. AS it is now the sand blows
into the working parts of the guns and
carriages, damaging them and seriously in
terfering with their easy manipulation. ard
drifts into the Notifications, requiring con-
slant attention and care by the troops,
whose time Is already occupied by ether
pressing duties"