Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1902-11-13
ON THE ARMY
The Adjutant General Makes Bis
Annual Report.
The ARMY MAyEUyERS APPROVED.


AHu5aO OOittSEb uvUhOW
Washington, Nov. s.-The annual
report of Maj. Gen. Henry C. Corbin,
adjutant general Of the army, deals
with every feature of the army and
begins with a statement showing that
the army is to be reduced by Deem
Der 1 to $1,000 men, Of which 2,S77
belong to the staff departments.
The report shows that during the
fiscal year there were 35 officers
killed in action or died of wounds
and disease, 81 resigned and 6S re-
tired. OF the enlisted men 1,227 were
killed or died of wounds and disease,
35,806 were discharged on the expira-
zion OF service, 5,49S were discharged
for disability IT dismissed by order
Of court-martial, 1867 deserted, two
we're missing and 2O3 retired.
Gen. Corbin discusses the various
schools Of the army and points out
the advantages which will accrue
through them. In reviewing the re-
ports Of officers who participated in
the army and navy maneuvers last
September Gen. Corbin says that
much valuable information was &C.
quired. He strongly recommends
that similar exercises be conducted
annually and be made to embrace
each year q new theater Of opera
lions, SO that the benefit may be
shared by the different garrisons In
the several fields Of defense.
The adjutant general has obtained
the number and kind Of arms in the
hands Of the national guard In the
several states and finds less than A.
BOO United States magazine rifles in
their possession. OF the multitude Of
other types, he says: "This heter-
ogenous collection Of obsolete arms
is q very serious detriment to the
efficiency Of the entire national
guard, which in organization, drill,
instruction, ETC., assimilates closely
to the regular army and should be
armed with the same arms as the
latter. II called into service under
this deploYable condition much trou-
BILE and vexatious delays are involved
in providing the different kinds Of
ammunition required and in urgent
or unforeseen contingencies may lead
to disastrous results"
Gen. Corbin has the following to
say concerning early marriages in
the army: "The early marriage of
the younger officers Of the army,
many Of whom are entirely depend
ent upon their pay and allowances
for support, Is greatly to be deplored
and should be discouraged. A young
officer should have but m allegiance
and that should be to the service.
Those without private means must
necessarily divide their pay between
the demands Of their office and fam
lily. A considerable number are re-
CURED for service in the Philippines,
where living is expensive, and the
accomplishment of this tour of duty
results in actual hardships to officers
with families"
Gen. Corbin has the following to
say regarding the canteen: "The
restoration of the exchange as 1T ex-
prior to the passage of the act
Of. February g, 1901. prohibiting the
OF beer, Is desired and urged by
the great majority of officers and
men, and by none more than those
Of pronounced temperance views.
reports confirm the views
long held by this Office that the
old exchange contributed to sobriety,
health and contentment of the men.
The increase Of assertions and Of
trials for attractions of discipline is,
by those best informed, attributed to
the abolition Of the former privileges
Of the exchange"
In conclusion he says: "The in
struction of our men in vocal music
be q step in the direction of
,ontentment and better discipline.
regiment should have its
marching song. Frequent practice in
particularly during the long
evenings, would do much to
make the men satisfied to remain in
quarters and away from the baleful
influence Of the barrooms that exist
n too great numbers in the vicinity
If II military posts. These bar
looms are under the protection Of
he license and laws OF the several
states and are beyond the control
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