The Washington times., 1904-11-26
TO DIST FRANCHISE
ARMY DESERTERS
General Chaffee'S Plan to
Check Stampede.
CAUSE HARD TO DISCOVER
Men May Atone and Be Restored to
Citizenship by Subsequent Ser
vice and Discharge.
CAUSE HARD TO DISCOVER

Disuauchisement of all deserters from
the army in National. State and muni-
cipal elections, unless the act Of deser-
ton be JtOned By a lawful discharge
earned by subsequent service. Is the rad
i,Jl recommendation of Lieutenant Gen
eral Chahee. Chief of stat. in his an
nuaI report approved by the Secretary
OF War, today.
1t is the opinion of General Chamee
that il all States and Territories would
pass such 81 law the majority of desert
ers would return 10 the cOlors at their
own expense and serve out their uneX-
pircd enlistment in order to receive a
lawful discharge, and thereby Te-estab-
fish their civil status.
Inexperience Responsible.
while [ fail 10 End anything in the
administrative action of company Of
h,ers. SAYS Lieutenant General Chat
fee. ITO account for the large number
of dascTUons. ( believe it To be- "a fact
that much neXperieuCe. as now, iu
command of companies affects this sub
jaat =omcwhat. Character habits, apti-
ude differ widely among men upon en-
tering the army, and IL Is the skill Of
the experienced officer, with his iutelli-
gent sympathy. his counsel AMI adj
Iaouiti0u. rather than rigid mechanical
enforcement Of the articles of war
1. Wis that best harmonic these vary
ing clements and secures contenJmenJ
of Young soldiers In companies and the
service.
Liberal Provision.
'Tl. Government provides literally In
tE- matter of clothing and food, and
constructs splendid barracks. fitted with
AN modern appliances FOR health and
comfort. At no post is the fatigue duty
e-cessivt- generally speaking it is light
and AN in all the soldier 8 getting
everything that under the laws could Ia
Ita son be asked.
For many years the numerous 1eser-
lions from the army have deeply inter
rstcd the department ana seemingly
every possible effort has been made %
discover an administrative ,ause, No
serious fault exists not inherent Ia the
man himself; therefore II IS not suscep-
tihle Of military control and correction.
Trial conviction. and punishment Dy
di-honorsbIe discharge ana confinement
for one two. or three years Of the Few
desertcTs who are apprehended or sur
render themselves have. IN my opinion.
hut slight influence as a restraining
force on the service generally
GuaIdhouse Unsanitary.
Arrangement Of the frightfuI sanitary
conditions az post guardhOuses Is an
other feature of the report. Lieutenant
General Chanee Saws they are simply
crowded to an unsauitsry limit" and DE
recommends the building OF additional
prison facilities on the military reserva-
lion near indianapolis.
Recruiting officers OF the army come
In Tor "a sharp rap for trespassing upon
the minimum physical requirements for
enlistment iu the army.
From personal observation. Lieutenant
General Chaffee says that at the forty
nine post camps and stations visited by
him during the past summer he noticed
rev soldiers who appeared 90 De vicious
o. Of low character. but quite "a number
because Of the apparent youth. poorly
u1uTlshed bodies. or weak physical sys-
TENS impressed him as w=akllngs. uu-
fitted 90 endure the physical hardship
and exposure frequently required Of sol
die-s
Progress upon the construction Of the
Army War College Lieutenant General
Chaffee says indicates II will nor De
ready for occupancy before the fan of
1893. and that in the absence OF this
building 70 VIII be impossible 10 convene
az the temporary War College a class
90 the desired size