Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-11-18
EN,CHAFf[E'S REPORT.
Detailed Account of the Con-
dition Of the Army.
NEED OF OFFICERS
PROPOSED REORGANIZATION oF
THE ARTILLERY BRANCH.
Conclusions as to Post Exchanges
Evil of Desertion-Army'
Health Good.

In his annual report Lieut. Gen, .Chaffee.
chief of staff, gives detailed account OF
the condition and operations Of the army.
THE army" says he, lis underofhcered for
the duties required of 1t in time of peace;
in time of war it would be in a decidedly
crippled condition for the very same reason
A modest relief is asked for now, and the
method most generally suggested by gem
eral officers and others when referring to
this subject, with which 1 concur, is to
request Congress to extend the provisions
of the act approved February 2 1901. pro-
viding for promotions to fill vacancies in
the line of the army caused by detail to
staff duties, to vacancies due 10 oeeails 10
the general staff.
after very careful consideration by the
general staff In the interests of the service,
with view to determining the actual sit
nation and requirements, 1t Is proposed to
submit report and the draft OF plil TO
increase the coast artillery by rev thou-
sand men (about five, and the necessary
officers), and the field artillery also, oy
few batteries; to provide for the permanent
separation of the field artillery from .le
coast artillery, and to constitute the former
a separate corps and give II reglheli'ail - oi
eaniZation The proposed measure alone
will not afford complete relief, put pro-
vides what may be regarded as the mini
mum for efficiency at this time, ana IS pc
neV6d to De the ledSl tIlol SiiooiN ~ oN~
ed"
The Cause of Thirst.
Gen. Chaffee summarizes the reports or
various department commanders on tine
subject of post exchanges and states MS
own conclusions as follows:
'.In February, 1889, the department pro-
hibited the sale of strong alcohohc liquors
at posts but authorized the sale OF peer
and light wines, under proper regulations
The act of Congress approved FEBRUARY
1901 discontinued the sale of beer and light
wines The lowest ratio of alcoholism was
for the year 1888, when beer and HgHl
wines were sold under regulations estap
fshed by post authority. 1t is apparent,
however, that the war with Spain hao
much to do with the low ratios SHOWN loi
1888 1899 and 1900, as during those years
the army was in the field, and Whlle leWeI
canteens were in operation than IN 1851, II
is obvious that conditions afforded HttIe
opportunity for indulgence of any kind
without expressing an opinion on TINS
subject pro or con, the chief of staff states
it as his experience upon the plains, ana
as the experience of others of the old OH
GERS of the army, that upon starting from
camp, canteens filed with water, If the
men are cautioned that the march Is TO De
a long one, without proba bility of finding
water en- route or with the location or wa
ter unknown, an immediate thirst is set
up and the canteens will be empt1ed great
deal sooner than would be the case II the
men were not informed of the prospect con-
fronting them. Prohibition creates in SOL
diers a wish for drink, rather than ban
iShes it,
The Desertion Evil.
Discussing the question of discipline and
desertion, Gen. Chaffee says:
The record is that in the army of more
than Go,O0O men 59,439 errors, faults or Of
lenses were observed during the year and
taken notice of officially. That there We're
on
of the generally good conduct of the great
ma jority of our soldiers.
Some suitable legislation affecting the
political rights of deserters and an aroused
public opinion that desertion from the milf
tary service of the nation is repugnant in
the minds of all good citizens constitute the
practical method and the only effectual
means in my opinion, for the material
abatement of the crime referred to.
1T was found impractical BILE" says Gen
Chaffee Ito issue the new model rife last
year, but the probabilities now are that
troops in the United States will be supplied
in time to use the rifle for target practice
next year; distribution to troops in the Phil
ippines to follow as quickly possible
Army's Health Good.
The report says that the health of the
| army during the past year was good.
| There have been no serious epidemics,
! says Gen. Chaffee, lowing to efficiency of
| sanitary arrangements and the care and
| intelligence of officers and men, and it is
| particularly gratifying to note a marked
| change for the better in hygienic conditions
| in the Philippine Islands, making living
| there practically as safe as in the United
| States proper, and thus furnishing addi-
| tional testimony to the benefits accrulng
| from American occupation.
Larger Clerical Force Needed.
Gen. Chaffee makes appeal for an In
| crease of the clerical force in the office of
| the chief of staff and various military head
| quarters and says that unless early rellef
| IS afforded the service must suffer ma
/ terially THE clerks as a class" says
| he ARE hard working, faithful employees,
| land it is not believed fair to them, or to
| the government to require that they con-
| tinue doing an amount of work that calls
| for the services of a much larger number
| of them.