Evening star., 1931-12-09
NATIONAL DEFENSE.

The estimates for national defense
under the War and Navy Departments
for 1888 aggregate S644 $50 900, as
compared with the appropriations for
1882 for this purpose totaling $685.
69l 900, a decrease of $5l ,041 900.
These amounts exclude all items of a
non-military nature.
The net decrease for the War De-
partment amounts to $33 3,952,000. This
is due mainly to the fact that owing
to lowered commodity costs there will
be carried forward into 1888 large
stocks of subsistence, clothing and
other supplies, and to decrease In
the present estimates from the appro-
i priations for 1882 of funds to carry
forward the Army building program.
The postponement of other projects
where practicable without serious det-
rin1ent to the maintenance, operation
and training Of the Army has also
been material factor in effecting re-
ductions in the estimates for 1888.
Provision Is made in these estimates
for average active strengths Of $4,000
commissioned officers, 924 warrant off,
GERS and 1880 enlisted men Of the
Regular Army, and $500 enlisted men
OF the Philippine Scouts; for an actual
men of the National Guard; for the
training of 20,722 members of the Or
ganized Reserves for varying periods;
tor the enrolment and instruction of
l27 ,565 students in Reserve Officers
Training Corps units in schools and
colleges and the training of 1900 of
this number in AZ camps, and for 30
days" attendance at citizens military
training camps of 1880 trainees.
With one or two very minor excep-
tions these strengths are the same as
those provided for 1882.
For the Navy Department the items
contained In the estimates for pur-
poses of national defense for 1888
amount to s342 2,606, 900. The compare
BILE amount appropriated for 1882 Is
1888 $4,000 This indicates decrease
under 1882 Of $l7,o88, ,000 This de-
crease includes sl5000,000 for ordi-
nary maintenance and operating ex-
penses of the feet and the shore estab-
lishment, 100000 for shore projects
and $7,150,000 for construction of new
ships. 1t provides an increase of SIS
100000 Tor modernization of battle
ships. The items for ordinary mainte
nance and operation Of the fleet and
shore establishments provide for main
tanning during 1888 an average of 7g,-
TOO enlisted men of the NAVY. the
same as provided for 1882, and an
average Of l5,343 enlisted men of the
Marine Corps as against 1890 men
provided for 1882 Under these esti-
mates no fighting vessels will be de-
commissioned and no navy yards or
training stations will be closed. other
decreases IN requirements are due in
part to the continuation of the So
called rotation plan" for the emplov-
ment OF vessels, recently adopted by
the navy Department, which lends
itsen 10 ooth economy and efficiency In
@ nee. operatlons, and in part to reduced
The estimates of $3I 400 OOo for tho
construction of new vessels, connared
with the appropriation of s38,550 000
Ior 1882, indicates decrease of
$1lbo,oo0. This, however, is a facial
decrease only. When the cash bal
ances to be carried forward from prior
years, and the amount to be made
available by transfer from the naval
supply account fund, are taken int
consideration, the total that will, be
available for ship construction In 1oaa
Is estimated at s57,oo0,000. The avail.
aolllty Tor 1883 exceeds in amount the
expenditures for ship construction in
any one Of the last 10 years. The ex-
penditures in 1923 were SAG, Gao non.
1924, SAL ,697 900; 1925, $4,000 oOS.
1926, SIS ,250,0o0; 1927, SGT 43C Gof,
1928. $36,s35,o00; 1929, s46, 6,760 GoO.
1880, s49,872000; 1881, 1914 0oo
and for 1882 are estimated at s5a,
0O0. 900. The amount available for
1883 viii provide for normal progress
IN construction Of every vessel now
authorized by law and permitted under
treaty restrictions except six DESTROY
ers, the laying down Of which has
Deen postponed, and. In addition. for
5eg1nnlng construction Of me more
S-mcn-gun cruiser In january, 1898.
Wnicn IS the earliest date permitted
unoer the terms OF the London treaty.