New-York tribune., 1908-01-06
GEN. HENRYS REPORT.
Decyies Militia Members Failure to
Com Dlete Enlistment Term.

AIhsnv Ian 5-Thc failure of more than half
the members of tffe National Guard of this state
to complete their term of enlistment is commences
on at length by Adjutant General Nelson II hehry
in his annual report given out Tonight on ms
point General Henry says:
The total enlisted strength on September %; lsiI ,
Mds of 9n men the sena Guard oses in one way
or another than one-third of Its mefnnefSSh!P
ment Under the present existing requirement ap1
ehy e fr T is efn1 heT apparent that
large percentage, approximately 81 per ceht, S
than three years and in all probability less than
two years. Various deductions may be drawn from IronI
that in certain commands due and proper care i
not # IN Is tbe yopd nt spne fact that the
does net receive fair return for the @
pereentage m of en who after short service
one another, are dropped from Ine Tolls.
much merit in it. fix the term of enlistnenI
at three years Whether such shorter term "ou ben
improve the character of the personnel mas 9een
questioned and there are certainly many oDecuOn15
be be proVided that Organizations or at least
crufts should have an annual tour of field service
During the year the guard made an actual net
gain 2o3 men. of which fact the adjuant general
says: This strength is the largest, with one ex-
ception since the reorganization, and would seem
refute the frequent statement of the dfncuity
of securing for. the service
This increase is compared with the condition IN
other states, the adjutant general saying;
ment the total strength of the organized militia
has decreased about 10 per cent since the militia .t
in part to the disbandment reformation of or
eeTa Po be 'a5 We this Is Of the
total strength the organized militia of the Unit
I'd S dns gsrd to of this sae has
During the | hsTe rs has Of Sseh s ofnd
militia present at Inspection the report OF ne .he
sentees for the year 1891 for all the states Of 4 49,
the percentage OF absentees ter the tats OF me-
being 2s5.
General Henry predicts change in the rife with
which the state troops are armed. The present
Krag- -Jorgensen rifle is to be substituted by the
Springfield rifle now in bs the United States
army. on this point the general says;
AT the present time the rife issued to the or
ganized militia of this state is the M United States
magazine rife caliore 80 model isys fro
q the ~, s sseRcs thus T61
will, in all probability, be rectihed during the en-
suing year.
OF rife practice General Henry says:
Greater efficiency with increased interest in small
practice, has been developed during the last last
never been excelled the percentage Of qualihea
tions being higher than in any previous year rms
erene is ws fe pcc at ride
toward the close of the season due to present
ton to the state rifle range
Regarding the question of conforming the ma
tionaI guard to the requirements of the United
States army now before the Legislature, the ad-
jutant general says:
The matter of most serious concern TO TINS once
and the organized militia of this state during the
wear has been the question OF complying
with the requirements of Section OF the act or
January / 1908, otherwise known as the militia
act which fixed the time allowed the organized
militia Of the several states and territories and
the District of Columbia in which to conform their
organization and discipline TO nve years
from time of the passage OF said act, January
81. 1908
The adjutant general adds:
Since your commission to investigate the national
guard has been in session this office has been re-
duested furnish much data and express Its opin-
ion upon many matters OF interest to the service
Every effort has been made promptly 10 furnish
yolr commission with all information, and a frank
expression of opinion every subject requested.
therefore refrain at this time from presenting
10 YOU recommendations apprectattng that the
same will receive the careful consideration OF your
able commission. and undoubtedly such recomrnen-
da ions proper and for the best interest or
the guard will be made in their report This office
commends the investigation now in progress, and |
that lasting good will result from the reports OF
commission, is the belief