Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1902-11-08
Besides, Says General QOrbin, Such We'd
dings Entail Hardship.
PLEADS FOR RESTORATION OF cANTEES
Sale Of Liquor Should Be Controlled by
Military Authorities
MANY DEsERTIoNS DUE TO ABOLITION
suEEests Teaching soldiers singing TO
Keep Them from Drink and Make
Barrack SURROUNDINGS Happy
and Enjoyable.

WASHlNGTONs NOV. line hhuual iS
port OF Major General Henry c. Corbin, ad-
tutant general OF the army, shows that
during the fiscal year thirty-hve ofhcers
were killed in action or died Of wounds
and disease, tWenty-one resigned and six
ty-eiRht retired OF the enlisted men, 1.22I
were killed OF died OF wounds and disease
S5sOs we're discharged on the expiration
of service: 5.4ss were discharged for dis
ability OF dismissed by order Of court-mar-
tial; 1857 deserted, two were missing and
203 retired.
General Corbin calling attention TO his
former recommendation that the rank and
pay OF military attaches abroad should
be increased, suggesting that retired on
Gers 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 that
have been established with the War de-
partments Of the several government where
ofhcers are stationed. He cites the two
cases where the military attachee at Paris
secured the model OF the Lebel rife and
the French saddle from the French gov
eminent.
and points out the advantage which will
accrue through them.
Praises Maneuver work.
Reviewing the reports of officers who
participated in the army and navy maneu-
vers last September. he says:
The maneuvers have proved the rank
and file OF our army can be depended upon
IN every emergency; that apparently i'm
possible tasks can be accomplished under
the spur OF necessity. and that there is
an immeasurable gulf between practice and
theory. The lessons learned by both ofl-
GERS and men we're Of more practical value
than years Of ordinary garrison routine and
instructions could teach
He strongly recommends that similar ex
ercises be conducted annually and be made
20 embrace each year new theater of
operations. so that the benefit may be
shared by the different gsrrisonk in the
several fields or defense and adds
'some system should be devised by which
the artillery defense OF forts would not be
rendered helpless by a heavy fog"
The wireless work conducted by the sig
nal ccrps established the fact that wire
less telegraphy Is an important factor
in the defensive operations OF ar
tillery district, increasing by many miles
the distance at which the enemy's ap-
proach can be detected and his ships To-
Gated. thereby afording TO the artillery
commander ample time in which TO perfect
his own offensive operations.
He has obtained the number and kind OF
arms in the hands of the National Guard
OF the various states and finds less than
1000 United States magazine rifles. OF the
multitude OF other types he says: This
heterogeneous collection of obsolete arms is
a detriment TO the National guard. which
in organization. drill and instruction as
similates closely TO the regular army and
should be armed with the same arms as
the latter. IL called into service under
vexatious delay would be involved in pro-
viding modern arms and urgent and unfor-
seen contingencies may lead to disastrous
results"
He recommends legislation providing thai
Major Generals Merritt, Brooke and Otis
on the retired list. be given the rank o.
lieutenant general and that Colonels Gil
more and Williston be given the rank o
brigadier generals on the retired list.
DiscOuraxes Early Marriage.
He has the following TO say concerning
early marriages in the army:
The early marriage of the younger Of
hcers OF the army. many OF whom are en-
tirely dependent upon their pay for sup
port. is greatly to be deplored and should
should be discouraged. young ONCE
should have but one allegianee-to hi
country. considerable number are re
living is expensive. and the accomplish
ment OF this tour Of duty results in actua
hardship TO ofhoers with families"
He says IL Is important that a number o
oficers have a perfect knowledge Of French
German and Spanish and adds that tn
detail stan system has worked well an
believes that the scheme for a genera
stan is the best solution for vexatious frie
tion that had been planned.
Dealing with the canteen question. h
says;
The restoration OF the exchange /
existed prior 10 the passage Of the &C
prohibiting the sale OF beer, is desired an
urged by the great majority Of officers an
men and by none more than those Of pro
nounced temperance views. Numerous re
ports confirm the views long held by thi
once that the old exchange contribute
20 the sobriety, health and eontentment G
the men. The increase in the number G
desertions and OF trials for infrAction
os discipline, Is. by those best informed al
tributed TO the abolition of the forme
privileges OF the exchange.
In conclusion, he says:
The instruction OF men In vocal mus
would be step In the direction Of conten
ment and better discipline. Every reg
ment should have its marching song
Frequent practice In singing, particular
during the long winter evenings would
much 10 make the men satisfied 10 renal
ir quarters and away from the banefl
innnsnees OF oaET9oms i,Tt,eil .hat exist too m
barroOms are beyond the control OF II
military authorities.
CENTENARlAN ARTIST DIE