The Indianapolis journal., 1903-12-07
ARMY AFFAIRS OUTLINED
REPORT OF SECRETARY ROOT ON
CONDITIONS AND NEEDS.
Health and Supplies Excellent-Crea-
tfOn of the General StaT-Esti-
mates Show a Decrease.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 6.-The report of
Elihu Root, secretary of war, for the fiscal
year 1903, including estimates for the fiscal
year 1905. was submitted to the President
and made public to-day. The reduction of
the army to the new minimum of 59,1s1
officers and men, of all branches of the
service, on Oct 10 last, is the first point
noted. These figures exclude twenty-six
officers and $40 men in the Porto Rican
regiment, ninety-nine officers and 4,SO5 men
In the Philippine scouts and 2,S07 hospital
corps men. The health of the army is re-
ported as good, the clothing and commits
sariat supplies excellent and the transpor-
tation service effective and satisfactory.
Concerning the general staff the report
says: 1.-The important military event of
the year affecting the regular army has
been the reorganization of the system of
military control under the general staff
act approved Feb. IA, 1903 For more con-
venient reference copy of that act is an
nexed hereto as Appendix A. This act
abolished the separate office of general com,
chief of staff to the President, who act
ing under the directions of the President
or of the secretary of war representing
him, should have supervision not only of
all troops of the line, but of the special
staff and supply departments which had
heretofore reported directly to the secre-
tary of war. and IL created for the assist
ance of the chief of staff a corps of forty
four officers, who were relieved from all
other duties"
The constitution and functions of the
preliminary board and the adoption of its
report without change are noted, and the
report proceeds The general plan con-
templates that every subject requiring in
vestigation and study shall be worked out
first by the officers assigned to the appro-
pirate division and section of the staff, and.
when of sufficient Importance, shall then
be considered by n general staff council
composed of the three general officers of
the corps and the heads of the three divi-
chief or staff, or laid before the secretary
of war by him with his recommendation.
1t is gratifying to report that the new sys-
tenn of control has been accompanied by
will on the part of the members of the
general staff, the chiefs of all the War De-
partment bureaus and the officers of the
vention of the chief of staff and his as
sistants has resulted in an apparent dimi-
mutton Of the independent authority of
most universally with cheerful readiness
to subordinate personal considerations to
the good of the service. The exceptions
have been so few and unimportant as to
Justify the belief that they will soon dis
appear. Much of the work upon which the
general staff has been employed is of a
a report which is to become public docu-
The change in the personnel of the head
of the army is noted, and especial atten-
ton is asked to the thoughtful and able
report of Brig. Gen. Tasker III. Bliss upon
the relations of the War College to the
general staff and to military education
The reports and recommendations Of the
various bureau chiefs are appended and
approved Concerning the militia the re-
INN nrfa xxyith h.
general staff act in it's relation to the gen.
eral military efficiency of the country is
the act to promote the efficiency of the
militia, approved Jan. Il, 1908. supplemented
by an appropriation of s., 90 in the army
appropriation act of March 2. 1903 copy
of these statutes is annexed hereto as APP
pendix F. The militia act had it's origin in
an agreement between the regular army
represented by the War Department. and
the National Guards of the States, repre-.
sented by a convention which met in Wash
| fundamental provisions necessary to give
vitality and effectiveness to militia
system. Upon the presentation of these
| provisions to Congress the committee or
militia of the House took up the subject
| with great public spirit and industry, and
| on that basis wrought out bill which
| with but few changes, was passed and ap-
| rroved in the form of the present act"
Special mention is made of the camps OF
| instruction in Kansas and Kentucky, the
| results of which are said to be very salts
| factory, and Improvement in marksman.
| shin of militiamen is noted as the result
! of special work and instruction on the
| ranges. Concerning arms and equipment
/ the report says:
/ lone of the cardinal purposes of the Law
being to secure uniformity of armament
| between the militia and the regular army
the secretary of war is authorized under
! Section 13. to issue upon the reQuisiton:
! of the state authorities such number o.
the United States standard service maga
/ zine rifles with necessary equipments anC
i accoutrements as are required to arm al
the organized militia, without charging tn,
/ cost under Section 1861, Revised Statutes
| or requiring payment therefor, and to max,
l the necessary exchange of ammunition fo
| the new arms.
| .'Under this provision the chief of ord
! nance has issued Ss.O3l magazine rifles an,
carbines. and credited back TO various
States and Territories 1886 S93. 49, which ha,
i been charged to them for similar issue.
I since the lst of December, 1901. All of tn,
/ States and Territories but three have beer
! fully supplied. and OF these three the prin
| cipal is. by preference, waiting for
| change of sights upon the rifles which ar,
| ready to be delivered. The rearmamen
| may accordingly. be regarded as substan
! tally accomplished.
Congress Is urged TO provide literally TO
the construction of defenses for the insula
| possessions. The total army estimates 70
| the fiscal year 1905 are placed at $779i
si3 o. against appropriations of S7s 450 s44 s
| G22,1. For pubic works the figures ar
s4O 497 5i2 H. $S $50, ,S3.1 and s30.Si 94795. re
| spectively. The totals, respectively. ar
Si25 s2s 3 &C. s12l 9l7 345.21. and $l0S 57 762 S
Considerable space Is given 10 Philippin
trade and coinage matters, reports O