Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-09-20
CAUSE OF DESERTIONS
GEN. BATES BELIEVES IT TO BE
DUE LARGELY TO HoMEsIcKNEss.
Suggests Putting Recruits on Proba-
ton for Few Days-Advocates q
General Military Prison.

Mai. General ]. c.. Bates. commanding
the northern military division. in his an
nual report, says that the number or DE-
serttons continues TO be large. This Is
serious question" says he, land 1t demands
constant consideration until remedy Is
found and applied. 1t is believed to be, I'M
fortunately, true thar the public generally
does not view this offense with the serious
ness 1t deserves. The opinion Is frequently
expressed by officers Of experience that SUI
ficient time and care are not taken by re-
cruiting officers in ascertaining the ante
cedents of applicants for enlistment. This
view Is perhaps supported by the large
number of men discharged for disability
contracted prior to enlistment, which. In IT.
self, shows lack Of proper method IN the
examination of recruits and, perhaps. care
lessness.
Due to Inconsistencies.
II am of the opinion. previously expressed
In my reports as department commander
that assertions are. IL: large measure,
due to inconsistencies on the part Of the
recruit and to the fact that number OF
young men enlist without mature deiiber-
alton and with little knowledge of the life
of a soldier. and that trial TOT rev
days at q military post Is perhaps the best
way to determine II the applicant Will PROB
ably make a good soldier, and to enable
him to decide understandingly If the life
will suit him. 1t Is believed to be practical
BILE to apply this test IT. most Instances.
Proposed Military Prison.
THE return from the post guard house
system to the method involved In that of
military prison for tie custody Of general
prisoners is generally conceded to be of the
first Importance. Under the present condi-
lions post guard houses are not only over
crowded. but it is irnpracticable in many
instances to impose Upon general prisoners
the hard work justified by conviction for
serious offenses, and which should serve as
a deterring example to others. Perhaps
even a graver consideration IN this con-
nection is found in the demoralizing con-
tact, brought about by the present system.
between men convicted of serious military
offenses and young soldiers who are as
signed over them as guards. This contact
is undoubtedly highly prejudicial to the
interests of discipline
Holding Up Allotments.
The action of the War Department in no.
tifying several Of the states that their pro-
portional allotment from the appropriation
made by Congress for the support of the
organized militia will not be given unless
the provisions of the militia act are faith
fully observed, Gen. Bates says, has al
ready had a beneficial effect The benefits
to be derived from combining regular and
militia troops in the field from year to year
are evident.
In the course Of his report Gen. Bates
states that post schools for enlisted men
have been maintained as required by reg
ulatfons He says that the experience of
many years Is that no great public advan-
tage Is derived from these schools and it
IL his opinion that they should be conducted
as night schools with permission for any
soldier to attend who desires.