Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-09-28
ABSENCE OF SOUND DISCnE TON
GEN. GRANTS REBUK1 OF
GENERAL COURTs-MARTIAL.
Bases His Opinion Upon Returns
Submitted for Revisw-Annual
Report Filed.

Failure of court-martial in the Depart
ment OF the Lakes in many instances TO
impose, In his Judgment, adequate pun
ishment has led Mai. Gen. Frederick d.
Grant, commencing that department. to
make a scathing arraignment Of such
tribunals in his annual report to the War
Department.
THE discipline of the troope in this
department" says Gen. Grant, has been
generally good. The increase In the num-
Der of trials indicates the strenuous ef-
forts Of all to attain the highest degree
Of discipline. A glance at the above re-
port Of the judge advocate clearly shows
to my mind that liquor was tho cause Of
most of the troubles among the soldiers.
In reviewing the proceedings OF the
general courts-martial Is found great
variation in lengths of confinement i'm
posed. in sentences for desertfon, even by
the same court. The causes for such va
ration cannot be ascertained from the
records OF trials, and so, when reviewing
general courts-martial cases. I pronounce
as inadequate the sentences of one year
or less for desertiOn.
Results Not Creditable.
THE court-martial system now in force
does not seem to have inherent defects,
though in many instances the results Of
trials show on the part of members,
judge advocates and counsels failures to
exhibit that sound discretion to be ex-
pected of them. Many sentences imposed
by general courts-martial at one of the
military stations in this department, have
been considered by me, as particularly
unsatisfactory. because of the keeping in
the service undesirable men. including
even those found guilty Of fraudulent en-
hstment. Such failures on the part Of the
court seem to arise from an apathetic ex-
ercise Of intelligence. or from a lack of
appreciation of the fact that the mem
bers Of a court-martial not being held
responsible for their action is the cause
of a lowering in them of the highest con-
ception Of duty.
1.-The personnel OF this command u.s. in
general, efficient, even moro SO than 1t has
enlisted men Of my previous commands,
and this Is due. In my opinion to the
better class of mon now being received
from the recruiting stations. The pres
emit system OF recruiting and the training
Of recruits, at recruiting rendezvous. has
done more toward raising the standard Of
efficiency among the enlisted men Of the
army than any other one change Of sys-
tenn that know of in the army during
recent years.
Increase in Number Of Desertions.
Tho increase in the department, in the
number Of assertions, over last year. is
possibly due to the large number Of re-
cruits who have been assigned to regi-
ments returning from the Philippines and
Alaska.
practice marches have been made by ali
the troops in this department. These
marches are bringing the soldiers into
contact with the people Of the country.
who begin to see and realize that the
United States has an army, and an EN-
cient one. The good behavior Of the
soldiers and the thorough discipline main.
tanned among them have done much to-
ward making friends along their routes
to the time. which ! trust is not far in
the future, when the army Will again
attain its oid-time popularity in the
United States.
II recommend the construction of
great quartermasters depot. built upon
modern plans. here at Chicago. with all
modern equipments. and SO arranged as
to best accommodate the military service.
in time OF both peace and war. Such q
depot here should Be the main supply
depot Of the army"