The Mobridge news. [volume] (Mobridge, Walworth Co., S.D.) 190?-1917, 1912-02-09

Mcintosh, Texas; Mackenzie, Wyo-
ming; Madison barracks. New York,
Meade, South Dakota; Niagara, New
York; Ontario, New Rork; Wayne,
Mich; Whipple barracks. Ariz.; vii
liam Henry Harrison, Mont; and Vel
l%owstonc. Wyo. OF Fort Apache it is
said a possibility Of Indian trouble
near this post still exists and that
Fort Jay might be retained as head
quarters Of the {" stern division and
as the site Of the eastern military
prison.
Posts to Be Retained.
There is another formidable list Of
posts which. While not recommended
for immediate Abandonment, are de
clared not to be located with a view
of securing economy of administration
and supply. or a full measure of mill
tary effectiveness. Consequently their
garrisons will not be increased and
ultimately will be Withdrawn to such
concentration centers as congress may
authorize. These posts ars: Ethan
Allen, Vermont; Plattsburg barracks,
New York; Robinson. Nebraska; Mis-,
soula, Montana; Logan, Colorado;
Douglas. Utah; and ID. A. Russell,
Wyoming. The latter post is shown
to have cost to date 81, 1926. 486. 1t is
said not to be located with a view to
maximum economy or strategic effect.
iveness.
Special Stations e Go.
The principal object is to dispose Of
the present small army with distinct
reference to its mission in case Of war.
This first involves adequate forces for
foreign %garrisons. which cannot be re-
inforced from the United States after
the outbreak of hostilities. With the
remainder Of the army a mobile force
is to be organized and distributed
among about eight great strategical
points in the United States instead Of
scattered in forty-nine posts. as now.
Two or three of these groups would
be on a line between the ST. Lawrence
and Atlanta. covering the Atlantic
%seaboard; two or three groups would
be on the line between Puget Sound
and Los Angeles, covering the Pacific
%seaboard; at least two groups between
the Great Lakes and the Rio Grande,
serving AS first reserves for either sea.
board and for the development of the
national guard and volunteer forces to
be organized in the interior.
BY the concentration of the army In
eight posts. it is declared. the annual
cost Of maintenance of the army
would be reduced about SIS, 800, 900.
Smelling Mentioned.
Next m a process of heavy elm
nation. for 1t is declared that prob
ably one only of the following posts
should be retained. Benjamin Harri-
son. Indiana; Columbus barracks.
Ohio; Fort Sheridan. Illinois; Fort
Des Moines. Iowa; Crook. Nebraska:
Omaha, Nebraska; Leavenworth, Kan
sas; Riley. Kansas; Smelling. MINI;
Jefferson barracks. Missouri. Smelling
and Jefferson barracks might be re-
tanned IL 1t were decided to make
them stations of all arms.
Four lucky posts recommended for
retention are: Fort Sill. Oklahoma.
which Is peculiarly adapted for use as
a school Of artillery and musketry
fire; Forts Bliss. Texas and Huschuca,
Arizona needed as cavalry outposts
for some time on the southern border,
and Fort Myer. Virginia. where 1t
probably will be necessary to retain a
small garrison near the national CAPT.
tai for escort duty and other ceremo-
MIA purposes.
The report declares that succeeding
secretaries OF war have been hamper.
ed In getting rid Of useless and ex.
pensive posts by local and political in.
fluences. 1t 10 declared that no less
than $50, O00, 000 has been spent on
such posts in the last ten years and
every dollar SO expended became an
argument against their abandonment.