The Washington times., 1903-09-22
GUARD ENCAMPMENTS
WITHIN FIXED PERIOD
Gen. Chaffee's Recommends
tion on This Subject.
FAvoRS PERMANENT RANGE
Urges Selection Of Land Near Wash
ington by Board of Officers for Use
by Regulars and Militia.

General Chaffee advises that ali Ma
tional Guard encampments in his de
partment be held each year between July
l and August 10. This is the conclud-
ing recommendation in his annual report
which was made public at the War De-
partment today. He says the members
of the District National Guard and other
militia organizations are able to leave
their work better then than at any other
time. and also that the weather is faY-
orable at that time for encampments
in this climate.
Under present arrangements some OF
the State militia encampments are held
at the time set for target practice for
the regulars in this department The
result is much confusion in assigning
regular army forces to assist in ma
neuvers at militia encampments Gen
eral Chaffee wants this to be avoided
in the future by establishing fixed time
for encampments and excluding target
practice during that period.
District Guard Not Affected.
In case the time suggested by General
tional Guard encampment date will not
be affected. as the local milltiamen have
been accustomed TO holding their en-
campments within the period Indicated
by General Chaffee. This year the Dis
trict Guard encampment was from July
% to August 2.
Commendable progress by the Nation
al Guard OF the department in disci-
pline. mobilization. and target practice
is reported by General Chanee. The
cooperation OF the National Guard and
regular troops Is regarded by him as
highly successful He regrets the fact
that there is no large tract OF land un-
der his control which can be used by
him as camp for maneuvers and field
! instruction in which governors for
| States desire the militia. and regular
troops TO participate.
Permanent Rife Range
General chaffee urges the establish
ment near Washington of large perma-
nent rifle range for the use of regular
troops stationed near here. and for de-
psrtment, national and international
! F'hhf hfNNANtthos AAt otSStSAc Ait dHlDlul-
ment OF a board OF officers to select such
a range and lease grounds suitable with
out delay Washington is said by him ia
be especially desirable for this range. as
the climate Is such here that conditions
are favorable for practice so many
months in the year
In discussing the changes in uniforms
General Chaffee says the new uniform
gives general satisfaction and urges that
IL be adhered to without constant
changes and alterations. which plac,
everybody in a condition OF uneasfness.
Five thousand additional coast artil-
lerymen for the defense OF the Atlantic
Coast are asked for by General Chaffee
AT present 10000 men are available
for coast defenses in the Department oi
the East. The force is so limited tha
there is no relief. and General Chaffe,
urges that at least 5000 more meI
should be available for this work
DesertIon records in the Department
Of the East are far more satisfactor1
than those of the Department of Cali
fornia. where one man in every i've wa
a deserter in the year ending June 80
With a strength OF 1886. the Depart
: ment of the East had only 39S men trie'
for desertion.