New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1909-12-02

the corps. department OF arm OF the ser
vice 10 which they belong.
The regular weekly exercise and the
annual physical test should Re modified
IN their requirements for of11cers serving IN
the tropics, and all officers who are sixty
eligible for retirement in the discretion OF
the President should be exempted in their
own discretion from taking the test.
COOPERATION WITH MILITIA
Cooperation OF the regular army with the
militia Is strongly urged The Secretary
outlines a plan 10 accomplish this. He
would have the country divided into terri
torial and tactical districts. so that the
militia may be conveniently combineu with
the regular troops stationed in those dis
tricts into permanent brigades, divisions
and corps for instruction and tactical or
ganization.
In connection with the headquarters Of
these combination divisions. the report ad-
vocates the establishment Of supply depots,
which can be drawn on for The equipment
OF an army in time Of need. At such
depots supplies would be carried sufficient
70 outfit any additional volunteer force. up
10 a moderate number. which might he
hastily recruited 10 complete the organiza-
ton OF an army corps.
Attached 70 the headquarters. also. the
a young and active officer Of the regular
army. whose duty would be 10 instruct and
direct the militia organizations in the
corps district such an officer. IL is said.
could issue no orders 10 the militia. but
he should have power 10 supervise the
equipment and instruction OF the volunteer
troops in his district and be held respon-
sible for their mobilization and general
condition
II is purposed 10 submit the adoption OF
such a plan 10 the governors OF the states.
II the states announce their willingness 10
cooperate with the War Department steps
viii be taken toward putting the plan into
effect.
DISTRIBUTION OF TROOPS.
A general Encouragement q the various
army posts occupies 4 prominent place in
the report. The Secretary expresses mis-
conviction that. as now situated, the army
posts DO not meet the requirements Of the
service. many Of Them being isolated and
dlrlcult OF access.
The majority OF these posts he says,
Eprang into existence because in the early
days u the West the regular army was
largely used for the protection Of settlers
from Indians. The Indians have long since
ceased 10 De a menace 10 the white people.
and the posts have outlived their useful
ness. The army authorities now believe
that tactical and strategical conditions re-
quire the location OF such army headquar-
tiers near the large cities. in close proximity
10 centres Of transportation. and with
view 70 cooperation with the militia.
Hence. the three requirements. SAYS
Secretary Dickinson, economy, possibility
Of rapid movement and training OF the
militia. would al be met in the most ef-
fective manner II the troops We're stationed
In or near the priT cipal cities; and this is
tho course which the General STAFF believes
should be pursued"
Three S-inch and twenty-eight rapid FIRE
guns were added 10 the seacOast defences
in the year. The coast defences Of in
suiar possessions are in a forward state OF
construction. Special mention is made OF
the increasing efficiency in craftsmanship
shown by the men who serve the guns
IN the seacoast batteries and the field arti-
lery Praise is given 10 the men Of the
regular army for excellent records with
small arms.
Among q great number Of other subjects
discussed ID The report. Secretary Dlckin-
son speaks briefly but approvingly Of the
aerop-ane and dirigible balloon as engines
OF war he adds, however, that because OF
the necessity for retrenchment he Will sub
NIT no plea 10 Congress this year for an
appropriation for the purchase Of proper
aeronauticsl equipment for the army. He
SAYS that the I3ct must be recognized that
al first class powers except the United
states are providing themselves systernati-
cally with aerial fleets. Germany and
France being notably in the lead.