made at two posts, with prospects that early varieties of potatoes, cabbage, radishes, turnips, peas, lettuce, etc., can be raised. The seasons there are short, but the long days of sunlight produce rapid growth. Barley and oats can be raised around Fort Egbert. There are no post gardens in Porto Rico. The cultivation of gardens by the troops in the Philippines has so far been an uncertain proposition, on account of the conditions of the service there, yet some excellent company gardens have been reported, in which almost all vegetables grown in the States were flourishing. Post schools for enlisted men were conducted at a

Post schools. majority of the posts in the United States during the year, but the changes in the composition of the garrisons were generally so frequent that comparatively but little interest could be taken in them. Fair to good progress, however, was reported at some of the posts. Conditions in Cuba do not generally admit of the organization of post schools, and several posts are reported to have none. There were none whatever in Alaska or Porto Rico.

The law (Rev. Stat., 1231) under which these schools are established contemplates instruction of the enlisted men in the common English branches of education, and especially in the history of the United States. Statistics show that the proportion of white illiterates over 10 years of age to the total white population was 85 per 1,000 in 1870 and 58 per 1,000 in 1890-a reduction of 32 per cent in twenty years. At the present time it is probably not one-half what it was in 1866, when the post-school law was enacted. The act approved August 1, 1894, prohibits the enlistment, in time of peace, of any person who can not speak, read, and write the English language. The primary grade instruction would therefore appear to be no longer necessary, and might give place to something of more practical use to the service. The teaching of arithmetic, especially to artillerymen, history of the United States, spelling, and grammar, will always be necessary and should receive every encouragement wherever it is practicable to conduct a school. But if typewriting can be taught, under the law, its addition to the course of instruction where practicable would, it is thought, be a step in the right direction. If it can not, the law should be changed. Probably no other invention of modern times has done so much to economize time, reduce expenses, and facilitate the dispatch of office business as the typewriter. There are hundreds of bright, intelligent young men in the ranks who would, with proper instruction and practice, make excellent operators, and with their military training and experience would be valuable clerks in any military office. What a boon it would have been during the past fiscal year for some of the district inspectors in the Philippines to have had the assistance of a trained typewriter from one of these post schools; and what a benefit the Government would derive therefrom may be judged from the fact that some of these inspectors were compelled to become their own clerks and spent much valuable time in copying reports and other mere clerical drudgery that should have been devoted to actual inspection work. There is an evident necessity in the Philippines for some reliable source of supply of typewriter operators, in cases of sickness of civilian clerks and other emergencies, and there should be some trained ones available for detail with each command. Old typewriting machines, with universal keyboards, when turned in, and other necessary material could be furnished by the Quartermaster's Department for use in the

post schools. Printed directions for teaching and learning can be had from any of the standard typewriter companies. Adaptability and practice are the essentials to proficiency.

Post libraries.

The regulations in regard to post libraries are reported to be complied with at the posts in the United States with very few exceptions. Elsewhere the reading matter for the troops appears to be limited to that obtainable in the company libraries and the newspapers and periodicals furnished by the Quartermaster's Department. Many organizations, especially the new ones, have no company libraries, and efforts should be made to start post libraries wherever practicable, especially in the Philippines, so that as the troops become settled down from the all-absorbing work of active field service they can seek the post library and reading room for mental refreshment, which conduces so much to contentment.

Judging from the number of imperfections reported Books and records. in the manner in which the books and records have been kept during the year, this field must have been a very busy one for the inspectors. All seem to have worked hard, by advice more than by criticism, to bring about the desired state of perfection, and it is reported that the volunteer officers have manifested creditable zeal in correcting and amplifying their records, as instructed. Major Johnston states that the issue to volunteers of the regular descriptive book, having a model form in front, would have avoided many irreparable blunders and omissions, and a model page in front of the company council book would facilitate the understanding of its requirements, as even the regular organizations have very unsatisfactory accounts.

Post exchanges.

The reports show that wherever practicable post exchanges were in operation at the garrisoned posts at time of the inspectors' visits, the prescribed rules and regulations were being fully complied with, and that their business was generally being satisfactorily conducted. A majority of the posts at which exchanges are maintained were inspected before the law prohibiting the sale of beer in the canteens was enacted, and most of the reports would not show the effect of that law upon them. At some of the posts inspected since it was reported that the exchange was closed, as it was being operated at a loss after the sale of beer was prohibited, while at others "the operations under existing law" were stated to be unsatisfactory. The sentiment of the Army on the subject is well known, and is given expression in the following remarks of inspectorsgeneral:

Colonel Burton (Cuba) says: "Officers generally complain that the elimination of beer has worked a hardship on the soldier and has been detrimental to good order and military discipline." Lieutenant-Colonel Reade (Dakota) reports that "The consensus of opinion is that the canteen feature promotes the morals, temperance, discipline, and health of the men;" and Major Sharpe (Colorado) considers the anticanteen legislation of last winter ill-advised, and remarks that "If there is no authorized and decently kept place of resort within a garrison, where the soldier can find recreation suited to his tastes and station of life, he will seek it outside, and the innumerable brothels and whisky dens which are springing up on the edge of reservations, will prove the most baleful and destructive enemy to contentment and good order which a garrison can be cursed with."

Colonel Sanger (Philippines) reports: "The suppression of the canteen has practically suspended all post exchanges in these islands, and until officers and enlisted men can adapt themselves to the change it is not probable that they will be reestablished."

FIELD ARTILLERY.

Maj. R. A. Brown, Southern Luzon, says:

Two light batteries of artillery, one in the third district and one in the fourth district, have been stationed by platoons widely separated.

Officers in command of such platoons have been called on to perform duties of all kinds not connected with their battery.

The guns, harness, and carriages have been stored, the horses stabled or corralled, and all service incident to work of maintaining a light battery in a state of efficiency has been omitted or eliminated. This course of necessity followed the assignment of the batteries to stations devoid of facilities and the use of officers and men in the performance of garrison or field duties for which they were not equipped.

One light battery has been stationed at Pasay cavalry barracks and has been kept intact and in condition for active service.

During the past year there has been no active duty in the department for light batteries as such.

ENGINEERS.

The battalion of engineers serving in the Philippines, although widely scattered, has sustained the high reputation of the corps, and the reports show that all the duty allotted to it has been performed in a most satisfactory manner.

SIGNAL CORPS.

The reports from all quarters show that the work of this corps has been in the highest degree satisfactory.

NATIVE (PHILIPPINE) TROOPS.

One battalion of Macabebes has been organized as the battalion of Philippine cavalry. Reports indicate that these native troops have proved loyal and have rendered good service during quite a long period. There have also been recently organized 53 companies of native scouts, and reports show that they readily adapt themselves to the conditions of the service. Their ultimate value as United States soldiers for duty in their native land will have to be determined by experience.

CHINA RELIEF EXPEDITION.

Attention is invited to the reports of Maj. J. M. Lee and Capt. Grote Hutcheson, acting inspectors-general, in Appendix D, touching upon military operations in China attendant upon the relief of the legations at Pekin. These reports show that the American soldier compared quite favorably with the forces of the allies, and, considering the fact that fighting is the business of the soldier, the remark of the Japanese officer, "The American soldier is the best soldier in a fight and the poorest soldier out of a fight that I have seen in North China," referred to by Captain Hutcheson as aptly describing the impression of other foreign officers regarding our forces, will not be found objectionable.

ARTILLERY POSTS.

The artillery equipment of some of the artillery posts was reported to be incomplete for the prescribed instruction of the command, and the garrisons of some posts were inadequate for the number of guns. The guns, carriages, tools, implements, electric plants, emplacements, etc., were generally in excellent condition. Guns were being mounted, range and position finders, electric plants, searchlights, etc., were being installed where necessary as rapidly as practicable, and the work of engineers on emplacements was progressing satisfactorily. In general, the armament and equipment were making steady progress, and great improvements were noted at some of the posts. With the increase in the artillery arm authorized by recent legislation, and the cordial union of artillery, ordnance, and engineers in the great work of defense, rapid strides onward may be expected.

Lieutenant-Colonel Maus says:

Mounting of guns. It would seem to be greatly to the interest of the service in point of economy and in every other way to have the artillery given control of the transportation and mounting of guns and carriages, and after their arrival in the harbor where they are to be mounted. A great saving would be made to the Government if also required to move the guns and carriages from the places of landing to the emplacements and mount them. The custom appears to have been to have this done by contract, * * * while the engineers often mount the guns, thus depriving the artillery of the experience and instruction gained thereby.

ARTILLERY DEFENSES.

The defenses of Fort Canby, Wash., are referred to Fort Canby. by Lieutenant-Colonel Maus as follows:

No appropriations have been made as yet for additional defenses at Fort Canby, and in view of the strong batteries completed at Forts Stevens and Columbia, supplemented by the mine fields, which cover the entrance to the harbor and are protected by these batteries, it may not be considered necessary to utilize this point, especially as the water at the mouth of the river and above Astoria is so shallow that it is not probable vessels of war of any considerable power would ever attempt to enter the harbor or ascend the river-certainly not unless the bar is removed and the channel deepened. This can only be accomplished after years of work and at enormous expense. In this event it will be necessary, in order to properly garrison troops at this point, to rebuild the post.

Lieutenant-Colonel Maus recommends that a battery San Diego Harbor. of direct-fire guns of heavy caliber be established without delay on Point Loma for the proper protection of the shipping, coaling station, and town of San Diego, Cal.

QUARTERMASTER'S DEPARTMENT.

The work of this Department during the past year was stupendous and its shortcomings were few indeed. In the Philippines difficulties which appeared unsurmountable have been overcome and conditions have materially improved. Reports show improved business methods everywhere, and while there may be still opportunities for curtailing expenses where it was extremely difficult, if not impossible, under the stress of war, progress along that line is very evident. The supplies have generally been of excellent quality and sufficient in quantity. The principal exceptions appear to be khaki clothing, which has been the subject of adverse criticism in the matter of quality, dye, workmanship, and fit, but is reported to be constantly improving, and shoes.

Khaki clothing.

Shoes.

The shoes issued to the troops in the Philippines have been reported by several inspectors as unsatis

factory. Colonel Garlington reports that "for field service, particularly in the mountains, the shoes are a failure; soles are too thin and soft, wear out rapidly, and are easily torn from uppers." Major Brown says "the shoes have been the cause of most bitter complaint by troops in the field." Major Penn reports that "shoes are considered defective." Lieutenant-Colonel Maus (California) has also reported that "considerable complaint has been made of the shoes manufactured on this coast, especially those of russet leather, which are often too low in the instep, although large enough in other respects, besides being made of leather of an inferior quality." On the other hand, Major Johnston (Southern Luzon) states that "the tan shoes are said to be inferior, but I have worn no others during two years in the islands and find them excellent, especially after they have been half soled." Colonel Burton (Cuba) reports that the present cavalry boot is shunned, apparently, by all soldiers, and that it is generally recommended that the boot be eliminated from the soldier's clothing list.

Boots.

Shirts.

The blue-flannel shirt is reported to be the most useful article of issue, even in the Tropics. Gingham shirts are reported to be unsatisfactory in the Philippines, and complaint is general from Cuba that the present chambray shirt "shrinks unnecessarily," especially the collar. Repeated inquiries are met for flannel shirts of fast khaki color.

Pajamas.

The addition of pajamas to the clothing list, as soldier's sleeping suits, is recommended by Colonel Garlington and Majors Brown and Johnston as an advance step toward bettering the health of the troops in the Philippines.

Campaign hats.

The general sentiment in Cuba is reported to be in favor of much better and, for tropical countries, lighter material. Colonel Burton's judgment is that the campaign hat has no proper place in the Army in tropical climates, and that it should be left to department commanders to prescribe one kind of straw hat for all the troops in the Tropics. Colonel Garlington reports that the hat is declared to be unsatisfactory in the Philippines. A larger ventilator and an open sweat band have been suggested as improvements. Colonel Burton suggests that the khaki cork helmet would be improved if the sweat band was laced so as to allow the band to take the whole weight of the helmet, closely fitting the circumference of the head, and avoiding pressure.

Helmet.

Leggings.

the following:

Some of the inspectors have reported the canvas leggings as unsatisfactory, and attention is invited to

Colonel Burton (Cuba) says:

The best opinion is that an English strap legging of fair leather, inexpensive, durable, and neat should be furnished. It is claimed that the canvas leggings are not satisfactory; that they bunch at the ankle, and are not durable, and that the necessary tight lacing interferes with circulation and causes leg sores. The question of wearing leggings should be left to discretion of the commanding officer.

Colonel Garlington (Philippines) reports:

The leggings are unsatisfactory. They fade and are of various shades when received. A light woolen "puttee" would prove more satisfactory under the conditions of service here.

Lieutenant-Colonel Reade (Dakota) states:

Leggings now issued are not satisfactory. Too difficult to get a fit; strings and straps under the feet wear out rapidly, etc.