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the Army is one of the pillars of the Republic, it is proper that it should grow as the nation grows, commensurate with the needs and requirements of the latter, and I therefore recommend that a standard be fixed and authorized by which the strength of the Army should be regulated in time of peace in proportion to the population and wealth of the nation, and that the maximum of enlisted men be limited to 1 soldier to every 1,000 population, and the minimum, 1 soldier to every 2,000 population, the number actually in service within this limit to be determined by the President, according to the necessities and requirements of the Government. If such a policy is adopted it would, in my judgment, put our Government on a safe basis, and while we should neither maintain a great standing army that would be a burden or a menace to our people and institutions, neither should we become a nation of noncombatants, and neglect to take the proper precautions that due regard to safety and selfpreservation demands. By adopting such a course we would be following the wise injunctions of the first Commander in Chief and President, Washington, not only in maintaining a suitable military force to support the civil government and protect the Republic, but at the same time we would adopt such a system that, if properly administered, could in time be commended to the people of other countries.

I have called attention to the same subject in reports submitted prior to and since the one cited, and I am gratified that the Government has now practically adopted the policy recommended. I hope that it will be maintained in the future, as I believe it to be for the best interests of the nation, insuring its welfare and perpetuity.

I would call especial attention to the effect of a portion of the army reorganization act pertaining to the artillery branch of the service, which does grave injustice to a large number of artillery officers. Owing to the unfortunate organization of the artillery that existed from 1866 to 1898, by which two first lieutenants were included in a battery instead of one, as in the case of a troop of cavalry and company of infantry, stagnation was caused in the promotions of officers of artillery. That condition of affairs was corrected by the act of Congress of 1898, and although by the recent act of Congress of February 2, 1901, the artillery arm was largely increased, yet a provision of that law suspended full promotion until the enlisted strength had been recruited up to the authorized limit, and most of the officers received their commissions several months after their juniors in the cavalry and infantry had been promoted over them. Thus officers who had rendered longer service were made relatively subordinate to officers who had been their juniors, in many cases by more than ten years, during their whole official lives. I earnestly recommend that this injustice be corrected, and that Congress be asked to authorize that the commissions of artillery officers covering promotions to fill vacancies caused by the said law shall bear date of February 2, 1901. This will give the artillery officers the relative rank to which they were entitled and of which they were inadvertently deprived.

I also call attention to what, in my judgment, is a defective organization of the artillery, namely, an Artillery Corps, which practically establishes another bureau in Washington. Nearly two years ago a

bill was introduced in the Senate, not for the purpose of reorganizing the Army, but, as its title indicated, to increase the efficiency of the military establishment of the United States, the principal object being to readjust and improve the staff establishment and to make a necessary increase in the artillery force. As stated by me at the time, the question of organization was subordinate to that of increasing the strength of the artillery, which was then imperatively required. In that bill provision was made for a corps organization. This particular measure I did not consider advisable, but the other features of the bill I regarded as of absolute necessity. I am now more convinced than ever of the inadvisability of a corps organization, and believe that the regimental organization is far more desirable in every respect. The condition of the country, with its 4,000 miles of coast line, requires now an artillery force of 18,862 men, which in the near future may have to be increased. This force should constitute the grand reserve of the Army. A large force is necessary to perform the laborious work of keeping in order and handling the heavy, expensive machinery and ammunition at the artillery forts, yet it is quite unnecessary and inadvisable to keep a large body of troops for that duty alone. If this be all that is required of the artillery, a much smaller force of skilled artillerists with a corps of laborers would meet the requirements.

In my judgment it is highly important that this strong arm of the Government should at all times be maintained in the most effective condition possible, and though the principal duties of the men would be the manning, care, and preservation of the great coast defenses, they should at the same time, being armed with rifles and instructed and drilled in the use of them, be immediately available, in such strength as may be required, for service in case of any emergency that might arise demanding the use of a well-trained, disciplined body of troops. They should be so organized that they can be instantly mobilized under their own officers into battalions, regiments, brigades, and divisions; the regiments retaining their flags and important records, and being subject, as formerly, to rotation of service in different sections of the territory of the United States. In this way the interest of field officers would be better sustained, the services of all officers fully recognized, while the possibility of injustice or favoritism in the matter of assignments of officers and batteries would be avoided. The corps organization has been tried once before with a much smaller force than we now have, and was discontinued because it was considered defective and impracticable; and with the increased force at the present time there is much more probability of inefficiency and a greater liability of injustice.

Much has been said concerning the army canteen, which, when first established, was called the "amusement room," and afterwards the

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'post exchange." It was a place of amusement and recreation for the enlisted men, where they could enjoy reading books and papers, playing games, etc., and could purchase such refreshments, except liquors, as they desired. It was then an eminently successful institution and promoted the contentment and general welfare of the troops. Later, when what was known as the post traders' establishments were abolished, light wines and beers were authorized to be sold in the canteen. The Government has now by act of Congress prohibited the sale of intoxicating beverages in the canteen, and it is believed that no injury has resulted thereby and that the law has in the main been beneficial. The Army is composed principally of young men who have not formed the habit of using liquor, and although the majority of the enlistments actually occur in large cities, as the recruiting offices are principally located there, a large percentage of the men come from homes in the country and small towns and villages in every part of the United States. The prediction that the change would prevent enlistments and increase desertions has not been fulfilled. Since the law was approved, namely, on February 2, 1901, the recruiting stations have been thronged with men seeking enlistment for the service, 25,944 men having enlisted since that date, and the percentage of desertions is now far less than in former years. Desertions most usually occur during the first six months of enlistment, and a much larger percentage of enlistments have been made during the past six months than heretofore. In many cases the men that have deserted belong to a class whose presence in the service was not desirable under any conditions, but whose real character was not known at the time of enlistment.

The following table shows the strength of the Army each year from 1867 to the end of the first six months of the present year, and the percentage of desertions:

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The following shows a comparison between the number of desertions from the Army, and the percentage thereof, during the months of April, May, and June in the last three years:

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Under the regulations in force at the Military Academy at West Point for the corps of cadets, and under those that have prevailed at the Soldiers' Home at Washington, where there are now 853 men, ranging from 22 to over 70 years of age, the same condition of affairs has existed for many years, with most gratifying results; and there is no doubt that the result of the present law in its effects upon military garrisons will also be beneficial.

The discipline and efficiency of commands largely depend upon the commanding officer. An illustration of the excellent discipline, sobriety, and good order that may be maintained in a command is afforded by the fact that in the Fourteenth United States Infantry, under the command of Lieut. Col. William Quinton, while en route from Manila to Fort Snelling, Minn., covering a period of forty days, the men were orderly and soldierly in the extreme, and during the whole time of traveling by transport and rail there was but one case of drunkenness, although the men were subjected to every temptation, having been given three days' liberty while the transport was coaling at Nagasaki, and subsequently four days while the vessel remained at anchor at Yokohama, with permission also, to those who desired, to visit Tokio, the only condition imposed being that they should at all times respect their uniform, and hold it as sacred as they would the flag of their country. While going from San Francisco to Fort Snelling not a single case of a disciplinary measure was required, the behavior of the soldiers throughout being that of responsible, sober, respectable, self-respecting men. The commanding officer expressed regret, however, that civilian employees traveling on a Government conveyance and discharged soldiers still wearing the United States clothing did bring disgrace upon the service through the uniform

which they wore. The above instance, like many others that could be given, illustrates the excellent conduct of the troops when under the command of an efficient, judicious officer.

Probably at no time in the history of the Army have there been so many men serving in their first enlistment as at the present time, and in many of the troops and companies it has been difficult to find experienced soldiers to fill the positions of noncommissioned officers. The Army is composed of men whose average age varies in different companies, in many from only 22 to 26 years, and they are, on the whole, men of fair education, intelligent, and in excellent physical condition. It is hoped and confidently believed that the zeal and loyal devotion to the service that is now being manifested on the part of all officers will in a short time render the Army as near perfection in point of discipline and efficiency as it is possible to attain.

With the object of improving and promoting the efficiency of the Army a general order was issued on September 29, 1900, and was followed on August 8, 1901, by another general order, republishing some of the provisions of the former order, and containing additional provisions. These orders, which have already produced satisfactory results, are as follows:

GENERAL ORDERS,

No. 125.

HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY,
ADJUTANT-GENERAL'S OFFICE,
Washington, September 29, 1900.

The following instructions are issued to the Army for the information and guidance of all concerned:

The absolute and unqualified devotion of those in the military service to the welfare of their country is an indispensable requisite and constitutes the very soul of an efficient army. Hence, patriotism will be inculcated and promoted in every possible way, and all persons in the military service will be expected and required to be informed, as far as possible, of the principles upon which our Government is founded of the advantages and benefits enjoyed under the Constitution, and the responsibilities which it imposes upon them, as well as of the beneficent achievements which constitute our military history.

The national holidays will be celebrated with appropriate ceremonies, including the reading of the Declaration of Independence Washington's Farewell Address, or the Constitution of the United States, and such other exercises as will tend to promote respect and reverence for the institutions of our country.

As the flag is the symbol of our nationality, it will be held in sacred regard and given every care and protection at all times.

The ceremony of "escort of the colors" should be so conducted as to render it one of the most impressive to the soldier, especially to the young recruit, of all the functions in which he is required to participate. Proper salutes will be observed by all persons in the military service, not under arms, during the raising and lowering of the national emblem.

Good martial music contributes immeasurably to the contentment and welfare of troops and inspires in them a valiant and patriotic spirit, which is most essential; hence it will be encouraged, especially vocal music, which will include the singing of the national anthems and patriotic hymns and songs.

The playing of a national or patriotic air as a part of a medley is prohibited.

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