The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-11-08
Adiutant General COfbin Makes
 Elaborate Annual Report
EARLY MARRIAGES DEPLORED'
Recommends the Restoration Of the Army canteen, Which, He Says Contributes to sobriety, Health
 and contentment of Men.

l Washington. November 1.-The annual report of Maj.-G Henry C. Corbin. adjutant general of the army. deals with every feature of the army. and begins with a statement showing the army Is to be reduced by December 1 to 6O.02o men, of which 2s77 belong to the stan de- partments.
 The report 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 re- tired. Of the enlisted men, 1227 were killed or died of wounds and disease, 35,- SO6 were discharged on the expiration of service, 549S were discnarged Tor dIs- ability or dismissed by order of court martial. 4667 deserted, two were missing and 2Os retired
 General Corbin in calling attention to his former recommendation that the rank and pay of military attachees abroad should be increased, suggests that retired officers of high rank might be selected for this service
 General Corbin discusses the various schools of the army. and points out the advantages which will accrue through them.
 In reviewing the reports of officers who participated in the army and navy maneuvers last September General Cor bin says that much valuable information was acquired.
 Recommends Maneuvers.
 He strongly recommends that similar exercises be conducted annually, and made to embrace each year new theater of operations. so that the benefit may be shared by the different garrions in the several fields of defense. He adds that some system should be devised by which the artillery defense of forts would not | be rendered helpless by a heavy fog and states that the wireless signals, as con 1 ducted by the signal corps, established the fact that wireless teegraphy is an important factor in the defensive oper- ations of an artillery district. increasing 1 by many miles the extreme distance st which the enernys approach can be de- tected and his ships located, thereby af- fording to the artillery commander ample time in which to perfect his own defen- sive operations.
 The adjutant general also comments tho splendid manner in which the naval part of the war maneuvers were conducted.
 General Corbin has obtained the num- Der and kind of arms in the hands of tho National Guard in the several states. and
 
 zine rifles in their possession. Of the multitude ef other types he says
 this heterogeneous collection of obsolete arms Is very serious detriment to the efficiency of the entire National Guard. which, in organization, drills, instruction, etc., assimilates closely the regular army and should be armed with the same arms as the latter. If called into service, under this deplorable condition. much trouble and vexatious details are involved in providing the different kinds of ammuni- ton required and in urgent or unforeseen contingencies may lead to disastrous re- suits. !"
 Recommends Promotions.
 General Corbin recommends Legislation providing that Major Generals Merritt. Brooke and Otis, now on the retired list, be given the rank of lieutenant generals and that Colonels Gilmore and Wiiliston be given the rank of brigadier generals on the retired list. He has the following to say concerning early marriages in the army:
 "The earlier marriage of the younger officers of the army, many of whom are entirely dependent upon their pay and allowances for support, is greatly to be deplored and should be discouraged. A young officer should have but one ale legiance and that should be to the ser- vice"
 General Corbin has the following to 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 sale of beer. Is urged by the great rlnir~ity of officers and men. and by more than those of pronounced temperance views. Numerous fapai Us conu- fne N,tws long held by this office that the old cx- change contributed to sobriety, health and contentment of the men. The fn- crease of assertions and trials for in- fractions of discipline is by those best informed attributed to the abolition of the former privileges of the exchange" In conclusion he says
 ''The instruction of our men in vocal music would be a step in the direction of contentment and better discipline. Every regiment should have it's march, ing song. Frequent practice in singing. particularly during the long winter even- ings would do much to make our men satisfied to remain in quarters and away from the baleful influences of the bar rooms that exist in too great numbers in the vicinity of all our military posts. These barrooms are under the protection of the license and laws of the several states and are beyond the control of the military authoriy."