The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1902-11-11

Washington. November The annu-
al report of Major General Henry c.
Corbin adjutant general of the army,
shows that during the fiscal year there
were thirty-five officers killed in action
or died of wounds and disease, twenty
one resigned and sixty-eight retired.
OF the enlisted men 1927 were killed or
died of wounds or disease. So, S06 were
discharged on the expiration of SER
vice, 5,698 were discharged for disabili-
ty or dismissed by order of court mar
tial, 1867 deserted, two were missing
and 2O3 retired.
General Corbin in calling attention
to his former recommendation that the
rank and pay of military attaches
abroad should be increased, suggests
that retired officers of zig rank migat
be selected for this service. While the
number Of attaches have been decreas-
ed. the service has improved because of
the reciprocal relations that have been
established with the war departments
of the several governments where Off
GERS are stationed. He cites the two
eases where the military attachee at
Paris secured the model of the Lebel
rifle and the French saddle from the
French government.
I'm reviewing the reports of the Off
GERS who participated in the army and
navy maneouvre last September, Gen
eral Corbin says that much valuabl
information was acquired. He says:
1.-The maneuvres have proved that the
rank and file of our army can be de-
pended upon in every emergency; that
apparently impossible tasks can be &C
complished under the spur of necessity
and that there is an unreasonable gulf
betNeen practice and theory. The les
sons learned by both officers and men
were of more practical value than years
of garrison routine and instruction. He
strongly recommends that similar ma
neuvres be conducted annually and
made to embrace each year a new thea
ire of operations, so that the benefit
may be shared by the different garri-
sons in the several fields of defense.
The adjutant general has obtained
the number and kind of arms in the
hands of the national guard in the sew
eral states and finds less than 1900
United States magazine rifles in their
possession. OF the multitude of other
types he says this heterogeneous col
lection Of obsolete arms is a very Serl-
Gus detriment to the efficiency of the
entire national guard, which, in organi-
cation drill. instruction, etc. assimilates
closely to the regular army, n should
be armed with the arms as the latter.
IL called into service, under this de-
plorable condition. much trouble n
vexatious delays are involved in pro-
viding the different kinds of ammuni-
ton required anG in urgent or unfor-
seen contingencies may lead to disas-
trOuS results"
General Corbin recommends legisla-
ton providing hat Major Generals
Merritt Brooke and Otis. now on the re-
tired be given the rank of lieutenant
general.
He has the following to say concern
ing early marriages.:
THE early marriage of the young Of
ficers of the army, many of whom are
entirely dependent pom their pay and
allowances for support, is greatly to be
deplored and should be discouraged. A
young officer should have but one allie
glance. and that shoul be to the SER
vice. Those without private means
must necessarilv devote their pay be-
tween the demands of their office and
family. A considerable number are re-
quired for service in the Philippines
where living is expensive, and the &C
c~omplishment of this tour of duty re-
S1&fS In a natural naTOSHlp 10 OllceTS
wSh families"
General Corbin has the following 90
say regarding the canteen:
The restoration of the exchange as
it existed prior to the passage of the
act of February 2, 1901, prohibiting the
sales of beer, is desired n urged by
the great majority of officers and mer
and by none more than those of pro
nounced temperance views. MI
merous reports confirm the views
. being held by his office that the
old exchange contributed to sobriety
health and contentment of the men
The increase of assertions and of trials
for infractiOns of discipline is. by those
best informed. attributed to the aboli-
ton of the former privileges cf the eN-
change"
In conclusion he says:
THE instruction of our men in voca
music would be a step in the direction
of ~contentment and better discipline
Every regiment should have its march
ing song. Frequent practice in sing1n
particularly during the long wint"I
evenings. would do much to make OF
men satisfied to remain in quarters anC
away from the baleful influence or tn
bar rooms that exist in too great mum
bers in the vicinity of all our mllltarN
posts. These bar rooms are under IN
protection of the license and laws OF TN
several states and are beyond the con
troll of the military authority"
Fatal Premature Explosion.
ST. Louis, November 7.-Augus