New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-11-08
CoRBTN PRAISES CANTEEN
SAYS 1T CONTRIBUTED To soBRIETY
AND HEALTH OF SOLDIERS.
IT'S RESTORATION ADvocATED-MUcH BENE.
FIT DERIVED FROM MANQzUvREs-
GENERAL STAFF FAVORED.

FIT DERIVED FROM MANGUVREs-
GENERAL STAFF FAVORED.
washington. Nov The annual report Of Major
General Henry {. Corbin, adjutant general of the
army, was made public to-day. General Corbin
has the following 10 say regarding the canteen:
The restoration Of the exchange as it existed
proEibiting the sale OF beer is desired and urged
by The eEeat majority OF ofheers and men, and by
views Numerous reports confirm the views long
70 the sobyiety health and contentment of the men
The Increase o. assertions and Of trials FOR in
attributed o the abolition OF the former privileges
OF the exchange.
The report begins with a statement showing how
the army is 10 be reduced by December to 5000
men Of which 2S77 belong TO the staff depart-
ments. In the fiscal year thirty-fve officers were
killed in action or died from wounds and disease
tWentyone resigned and sixty-eight retired OF the
enlisted men l.227 were killed or died from wounds
and disease 500 were discharged on the expiration
IF service. 1858 Were discharged for disability or
dismissed by order Of court martial 4667 deserted
TWO were missing. and POS 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 high rank might be selected for
this service. While the number Of attaches has
decreased, the service has improved because Of the
reciprocal relations established with the war de-
psgtTnents Of the governments where officers are
tary attache at Paris secured the model OF the
LebeI rife and the French saddle from the French
government.
General Corbin discusses the various schools of
the army and points out the advantages which
viii accrue through them.
In reviewing the reports Of the officers who took
part in the army and navy man9uvres in Sep
TENDER General Corbin says:
The maneuyres have proved that the rank and
NE OF our army can be depended upon in every
Be accomplished under the spur Of necessity. and
that there is immeasuf able gulf between prac-
tice and theory. The lessons learned by both Of
hcers anc men were OF more practical value than
years Of ordinary garrison routine and instruction
He strongly recommends that similar exercises
be conducted annually and made 10 embrace each
year new theatre Of operations. so that the
benefit may be shared by the different garrisons in
the several fields Of defence. ana adds:
Some system should he devised by which the
helpless by a heavy fog. The wireless work. as
conducted by the signal corps, established the fact
that wireless telegraphy is an important factor in
the defensive operations Of an artillery district,
ISieb he sy2.-31'sS e,11Tos "a "a 6a 5,aot5 . "a
his ships located thereby afordng 10 the artillery
o0mmandsT ample lime in which TO perfect his
The conviction expressed by the commanding
general IN charge Of the land defences that every
officer and enlisted man Of the army and OF the
entertains feeling Of admiration for the splendid
manner in which the naval part OF the programme
affection for the sister service constant. have
been renewed and emphasized by this exceedingly
agreeable association in prosecuting professional
work Of great importance 10 the nation. voices
sentiment heartily concurred in by the entire army.
The adjutant general has obtained the number
and kind OF arms in the hands Of the National
Guard in the States and finds less than four thou
sand United States magazine rifles in their posses
sion. OF the multitude Of other types he says:
This Heterogeneous collection Of obsolete arms is
entire National Guard which in organization drill
instruction, etc, assmiates closely to the regular
the latter II called into service under this depora-
pc eonouon nueh tr9uDle a9lo ENaLlouS oeleyS
contingencies may lead 10 disastrous results.
General Corbin recommends legislation providing
hat Major Generals Merritt. Brooke and Otis. now
retired list have the rank OF lieutenant gen.
eral. and that Colonies Gilmore and Williston have
the rank OF brigadier general the retired list.
He has the following TO say concerning early
marriages in the army:
the army. many OF whom are entirely dependent
upon their pay and allowances for support, Is
a young officer should have but one allegiance.
private means must necessarily divide their pay
between the demands Of their office and family.
considerable number are required Tor service
IN the Philippines. where living is expensive and
the accom- plishment of this tour OF duty results
in actual hardship to officers with families
He SAYS that it is important that a number Of
officers have a perfect knowledge of French. Ger
man and Spanish.
The detail staff system has worked well. and
he believes that the scheme for a general staff
the best solution for Vexatous friction. In con-
clusion General Corbin says:
The instruction Of our men in vocal music would
be step in the direction Of contentment and bet
ter discipline. Every regiment should have It's
marching song. Frequent practice in singing, par
ticularly during the long winter evenings, would
do much make men satisfied 10 remain In
quarters and away from the baleful influence OF
the barrooms that exist in great numbers in the
vicinity OF all our military posts. These barrooEns
under the protection OF the license and Jaws
Of the several States and are beyond the control
Of