The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-11-08
YOUNG OFFICERS
MARRY TOO EARLY !
so#says Adjutant- General corbin.
in His Annual Report.
OBSOLETE RIFLES LES. IN USE USE
Strong Recommendation in Favor Of.
nc Re-establishment OF the Post
Exchange More Army Manoeu-
vres Recommended.
OBSOLETE RIFLES IN USE
-lBr Associated pless.)

WASHINGTON. Nov. THE annual
report OF Major-Giencral Henry Corbifs.
.isIa.aia,-g general OF the army, shows that
there were % officers killed in acton or
died OF wounds and disease; Il resigned.
s:ld IS IctiTec du1ins the past year oi
The enlisted men l..27 were killed or cieo
of wounds or disease: S5,ov5s were ois-
charged on the expiration of SERVICE
66sa were discharged for disability or
dismissed by orderEpf court martial; ~
Gu deserted, twa Were missing and 2sS
retired.
General Cori,in in calling attention TO
his former Recommendation that the rank
and pay Of military attaches abroad
should he increased, suggested that re-
tired officers of high rank might be
selected for this service. While the NUM-
Der of attaches have been decreased, the
:c1ssice has improved because of the
reciprocal relations that have been es-
isb!ished win the War Departments or
The several governments where officers
arc stationed. He cites the two instances
where The military attache at ls.:rls Sc
cured the model OF tho Lebel ~ and
the French saddle from the French gov
ernment.
in reviewing the reports of the officers
who participated in the army and navy
1nanoeuyres last September General
Cor1in says that much valuable Informal
ton WAS acquired. lie says.
THE manoenvres proved Tint the rank
and file of our army can be depended
upon IN every emergency: that apparent
il, impossible tasks can be accomplished
liilder tho spur OF duty and TINT there is.
an immeasurable gulf between practice
md theory. The lessons learned by both
officers and men were of moro practical
value than years OF ordinary garrison
routine and Instruction 4
81. RE- ONMEN1aS GI4ANOEITVRES.
lie strongly recommends that similar
exercises be conducted annually and made
10 embrace each year a new theatrc Of
operations so that the benefit may be
shared by the different gatuisens IN tile
several fields ofdofansc.
The a diutant-C5 eieral has observed the
number and kinds of arms In the hands
snf the National Guards III the several
States and finds less than 1900 United
States magazine rifles In their possession
OF the multitude of other types lie sans
.sTlns heterogeneous collection of obso-1
late arms is a very serious detriment to
no efficiency of the National Guard.
which, in drill, assimilates closely 10 the
regular army. and under this depiorabla
condition vexatious delays are exIlel.-
rnced in providing the different kinds of
ammunition required. and ine5ursent or
& unforeseen contingencies may lead TO dis
setrous results.
General Corbin recommends legislation
proyiaing that Maior-Gcnerals Merritt,
Brooke ana Otis, now on the retired list,
DC given 1 he rank of lientenant-general.
AS TO EARLY MARRIAGES.
Jie has The following TO say concerning
earlv marriages:
early of j1ra or
scers of The army many of whom are
ent;rey dependent upon their pay and
Allowances for support, is greatly to be.
8 atllored and should he discouraged A
,nung officer, should have but one allie
glance and that should be to the SER
rice. Those without private means must
fecessarily divide their pay between the
demands of their Office and family. A
considerable number required for SER
sjce in the Philippines. where living is
experience. and the accomplishment of
This tonr of duty results in an actual
hardship TO officers with families.
AS Tc, THE CANTEEN.
General iCorioin has the following to
sav®arding the carteen:
THE restoration Of the exchange, as it
existed prior 10 the passage of the act of.
February . 1891, prohibiting the sale OF
beer. is desired and urged by the great
majority of officers and men, and by
Z 1toIlP lilIsst
peranoe views. Numerous reports confirm
the views held by this Office that the old
exchange contributed to sohriefy. health
md contertmrI IF tho men, The in-1
riease Of desertions and Of trials for in
fractions of Discipline is. by those best
Informed. attributed To the abolition Of
Tho former privileges Of the exchange
MORE #NiITSTC NEEDED.
In conclusion he says:
The instruction of our r,crf8 in vocal
music would loe a step in the direction of
-el,teutneat and better discipline. Every
regiment should tave its marching song.
Frequent practice il, singing. particularly
'1,iiing the long winte: evenings, would
10 much 10 make ollf men satisfied TO re-
main In their quarters and away from
ihe halefrl infinence#of the bar-rooms that
sNst in loo great numbers in The vicinity
n all orr military posts. These BAR
ICONS are ui1t.cs. the protection of the
license and laws of the several States
!. end are beNond the control of the military
authority.