Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-12-04

The condition OF the army with some
important suggestions as to its future
are well set forth in the annual report
of Secretary Root which has been sent
to Congress. The report shows that as
the result of the order Of October ~
the army is now reduced to a total Of
$1,000 men. not very great force con-
Steering our vast area and population
at home and our extensive possessions
on the other side Of the globe. OF this
force about 1850 are IN the Philip
pines. 800 in Cuba, 4go in Alaska, ESQ in
Hawaii. $50 In China, as a legation
guard in Pekin, and the rest are at our
home forts and post in yarious parfs
OF the country. With the decrease vi
the army in the past few years has
come also decrease in the anlount
appropriated, each year, for the sup
port of the military establishing
For 1901 the estimate was. $12s, 1000, oee;
for 1862. $ll3. ,006; FOR 1903 II is ss9 =
100000: and for 1904 $,T,000.0O0. Each
year the appropriation is a number OF
millions less than the estimates call
for. s
The reports most important sug-
gestion is for the abolition OF the
office OF commanding general and the
creation OF a general staff, with the
officer who would be commanding gen.
erai az chief of staff. This is not really
new suggestion. 1t has already been
made to Congress by the secretary.
and IS earnestly endorsed by President
Roosevelt in his message. Secretary
Root discusses at length the imper-
fections of the present system, drawing
illustrations from the war with Spain,
and showing how the staff proposed
would make the army a more effective
organization.
The report also urges the passage Of
the so-called Hawley-Dick bill which
aims to make the National Guard an
important and trustwo thy factor in
the national defence system by placing
at the disposal Of the government q
volunteer army which could be depend
ed upon for prompt and effieieis SER
vice. This measure vas the result of
impartial and exhaustive investigation
and II IL should be passed. the National
Guard. which. in spite Of its imperfec-
tons. il regarded with large measure
of pride and confdeAc,- by great ma
jority.pf, Abe AmeGjcan people. would
would become a thoroughly worthy
adjunct to the regular nj .ary estab-
lishment. The secretary gives a more
gratifying account OF me progress of
the seacoast detenses than many ex-
pected. Since the Spanish War large
amounts have been expended On the de-
lenses and their armand nts. but not
more than half the work has been
done. and 1t is of the utmost impor-
tance that Congress should make iber-i
al provision for its continuance.
The much discussed matter of the
Secretary Root does not mince matters
in declaring that the adjustment of
the canteen was a great install He
said in his last report that q great
body of reports had been received
which Sadicated that the effect of
the law was unfortunate, but
that he thought sufficient time
had not elapsed to give the law a fair
trial. and that the observation and re-
port of its working would tn continued
during the ensuing year. Now he |
says:-"A great numler OF additional |
reports have now hgeR received. and |
they confirm the irupr .on produced |
that the general effect of prohibiting |
the use OF beer and light wines within |
the limited area of the my post is to
lead the enlisted men TO go out OF he
post. 10 frequent vile resorts whioh
cluster In the neighborhood, to driAk
bad whisky to excess. and to associate
WIFI men ana
more abandoned women; and that the
operation of the law is to increase
disease of the most loath-
some kind. characterization and deser-
tioa. and moral and physical degener-
alton. These reports are ready to he
sent to Congress whenever that body
desires to consider the subject"
The situation I'm the Philippines is
wellreviewed and thereis not word OF
consolation for the "antis" who yearn
for more insurrection and bloodshed
there. The old charge of cruelty by
American soldiers Is taken up and
given Anal blow. This was hardly
necessary, as the charges had long agoI
been exploded TO the satisfaction OF
everybody. The charge Of cruelty was
a political matter and only RESULTED, in
the complete discontinue Of those who
originated II. S+NA
The krupD Works ttlrn o,,t sn,,,A ~