termaster, $1,800; First Lieutenant, mounted, $1,600; First Lieutenant on foot, $1,500; Second Lieutenant, mounted, $1,500; Second Lieutenant on foot, $1,400. All of the officers from the Colonel down receive additional amounts after five, ten, fifteen and twenty years' service, but there is a limit to this amount; thus the maximum pay of a Colonel is $4,500 per annum. The pay of a private, whether artillery, cavalry or infantry, is $13 per month for the first and second years, $14 for the third year, $15 for the fourth year, $16 for the fifth year. After five years' continuous service they receive $2 per month extra. For service in the insular possessions 20 per cent. is added to the pay of officers and enlisted men.

The present strength of the regular army is about 3,800 officers and 60,000 enlisted men; 13,000 of them are in the Philippines. This does not include 4,800 scouts, who are paid from the Philippine treasury proper.

The policy of the United States in having a small military establishment has led to the organization of a large body of reserves, which are known as the organized militia or "National Guard." According to the latest accounts received at the office of the Adjutant-General in 1903 there were in the National Guard of the various States and Territories 9,184 commissicned officers and 107,422 non-commissioned officers, privates, musicians, etc., making a total of 116,606.

Under the Act of Congress approved January 31, 1903, the militia consists of every able-bodied male citizen of the United States who is more than eighteen and less than forty-five years of age, and is divided into two classesthe organized militia or National Guard, and the remainder to be known as the reserve militia. It is entirely optional whether eligible citizens join the National Guard or not, and they elect their own officers, but it is safe to say that this body of reserves is recruited from the best and most patriotic element of the population of the United States. Congress makes an appropriation each year for the support of the militia in the various States, and the States also contribute, help and build armories, as the regiments are really intended to defend their own States primarily, although in time of war they furnish an excellently drilled body of volunteers. In nearly every city of any great size

there is one or more armories, and in the smaller cities and towns there are separate companies which have armories or drill halls. The militia in each State is divided into brigades, regiments and companies. Under the act of Congress above named the President of the United States has the power to call upon any of the military organizations of the States for national defense, but the troops are usually utilized by the Governor of the State for enforcing the State laws.

The experience of the Spanish-American war demonstrated the need of what is known in foreign armies as a General Staff Corps. Accordingly, under the Act of Congress approved February 14, 1903, a Chief of Staff was authorized, to take the place of the commanding general of the army, and a General Staff Corps whose duties are defined as follows: To prepare plans for the national defense and for the mobilization of the military forces in time of war; to investigate and report upon all questions affecting the efficiency of the army and its state of preparation for military operations; to render professional aid and assistance to the Secretary of War and to general officers and other superior commanders, and to act as their agents in informing and co-ordinating the action of the different officers who, under the terms of the act, are subject to the supervision of the Chief of Staff; and to perform such other military duties not otherwise assigned by law, as may from time to time be prescribed by the President.

Under this act a number of officers were detailed in the General Staff for a period of four years, and the corps was organized into three divisions, each under a superior officer, with the following duties: The first division has charge of army administration, discipline, drill, and equipment; the second division is the division of military information, and in addition has charge of military maps, military attaches and the War Department library the third division is termed the technical division, and includes the devising of plans for defense and offense, the matter of sites for fortifications, the question of military education, and the Army War College.

This article has been revised by Captain C. D. Rhodes, U. S. A., of the General Staff Corps, under the direction of Major W. D. Beach, U. S. A., Chief of Staff, Second Division.

APPOINTMENTS.

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How Made. Each Congressional District and Territory-the District of Columbia and also Porto Rico-is entitled to have one Cadet at the Academy. Each State is also entitled to have two Cadets from the State at large, and forty are allowed from the United States at large. The appointment from a Congressional District is made upon the mendation of the Congressman from that district, and those from a State at large upon the recommendations of the Senators of the State. Similarly the appointment from a Territory is made upon the recommendation of the Delegate in Congress. Each person appointed must be an actual resident of the State, District or Territory from which the appointment is made.

The appointments from the United States at large, from the District of Columbia and from Porto Rico are made by the President of the United States upon his own selection. The appointment of the Cadet from Porto Rico is made by the President on the recommendation of the Resident Commissioner.

Manner of Making Applications.-Applications may be made at any time, by letter to the Adjutant General, U. S. Army, Washington, D. C., to have the name of the applicant placed upon the register that it may be furnished to the proper Senator, Representative, or Delegate, when a vacancy occurs. The application must exhibit the full name, date of birth, and permanent abode of the applicant, with the number of the Congressional District in which his residence is situated.

Date of Appointments.-Appointments are required by law to be made one year in advance of the date of admission, except in cases where, by reason of death or other cause, a vacancy occurs which cannot be provided for by such appointment in advance. These vacancies are filled in time for the next examination.

Alternates. For each candidate appointed there may be nominated to alternates. The principal and each alternate will receive from the War Department a letter of appointment, and

must appear for examination at the time and place therein designated; those previously accepted by Academic Board on certificate or mentally qualified, appearing for physical examination only.

The fitness for admission to the Academy of the principal and the alternates will be determined as prescribed in paragraphs 19, 20 and 21, Regulations U. S. Military Academy.

Should the principal and alternates not qualify for admission under the provisions of paragraph 21, they will still be entitled to appear for the examination prescribed in paragraph 19; but if the principal fails to appear for that examination or, to appearing, fails qualify, then the qualifications of the alternates will be considered and if only one has met the requirements he will be admitted; if both alternates have met the requirements the better qualified will be admitted.

The alternates, like the principal, should be designated as nearly one year in advance of the date of admission as possible.

ADMISSION OF CANDIDATES.

The following are extracts from the regulations of the Military Academy relating to the examination of candidates for admission and will be strictly adhered to:

19. Candidates selected for appointment, unless accepted under the provisions of paragraph 21, shall appear for mental and physical examination before boards of army officers to be convened at such places as the War Department may select, on the first of May, annually, except when that day comes on Sunday, in which case the examination shall commence on the following Tuesday. Candidates who pass successfully will be admitted to the Academy without further examination upon reporting in person to the Superintendent at West Point before 12 o'clock noon on the 15th day of June of the same year.

20. Each candidate before he shall be admitted to the Academy as a Cadet must show, by the examination provided for in paragraph 19 or by the methods prescribed in paragraph 21,

that he is well versed in the following prescribed subjects, viz.: Reading, writing, spelling, English grammar, English composition, English literature, arithmetic, algebra through quadratic equations, plane geometry, descriptive geography, and the elements of physical geography, especially the geography of the United States, United States history, the outlines of general history, and the general principles of physiology and hygiene.

21. The Academic Board will consider and may accept in lieu of the regular mental entrance examination :

1st. The properly attested examination papers of a candidate who receives his appointment through a public competitive written examination covering the range of subjects prescribed in paragraph 20.

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2d. The properly attested certificate of graduation from a public school or a State normal school in which the course of study, together with the requirements for entrance, Ishall cover the range of subjects prescribed in paragraph 20.

3d. A properly attested certificate that the candidate is a regular student of any incorporated college or university, without condition as to any subject mentioned in paragraph 20.

Application for consideration of papers or certificates shall be made by each candidate and alternate immediately after he receives his appointment. No application will be ceived after March 15 preceding the regular examination prescribed in paragraph 19.

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tary Academy, I will serve in the Army of the United States for eight years, unless sooner discharged by competent authority.

"In the presence of

The candidate is then required to take and subscribe an oath or affirmation in the following form:

"I, that I will support the Constitution of the United States, and bear true allegiance to the National Government; that I will maintain and defend the sovereignty of the United States, paramount to any and all allegiance, sovereignty, or fealty I may owe to any State or country whatsoever; and that I will at all times obey the legal orders of my superior officers, and the rules and articles governing the Armies of the United States. "Sworn and subscribed, at day of

do solemnly swear

and

before me.

this nineteen hundred

Qualifications.-No candidate shall be admitted who is under seventeen, or over twenty-two years of age, or who is deformed, or afflicted with any disease or infirmity which would render him unfit for the military service, or who has, at the time of presenting himself, any disorder of an infectious or immoral character. Accepted candidates if between seventeen and eighteen years of age should not fall below five feet three inches in height and one hundred pounds in weight; if between eighteen and nineteen years, five feet three and one-half inches in height and one hundred and five pounds in weight; if over nineteen, five feet four inches in height and one hundred and ten pounds in weight. Candidates must be unmarried.

Each candidate must on reporting at West Point present a certificate showing successful vaccination within one year; or a certificate of two vaccinations, made at least a month apart, within three months.

A circular of information as to the physical and mental examination can be had by addressing the Secretary of War, Washington, D. C.

ACADEMIC DUTIES.

The academic duties and exercises commence on the first of September and continue until the first of June.

Examinations of the several classes are held in December and June, and, at the former, such of the new Cadets as are found proficient in studies and have been correct in conduct are given the particular standing in their class to which their merits entitle them. After each examination, Cadets found deficient in conduct or studies are discharged from the Academy, unless the Academic Board for special reasons in each case should otherwise recommend. Similar examinations are held every December and June during the four years comprising the course of study.

Military Instruction.-From the termination of the examination in June to the end of August the Cadets live in camp, engaged only in military duties and exercises and receiving practical military instruction.

Except in extreme cases, Cadets are allowed but one leave of absence during the four years' course; as a rule the leave is granted at the end of the first two years' course of study.

PAY OF CADETS.

The pay of a Cadet is $500 per year and one ration per day, or commutation therefor at thirty cents per day. The total is $609.50, to commence with his admission to the Academy. The actual and necessary traveling expenses of candidates from their homes to the Military Academy are credited to their accounts after their admission as Cadets. There is no provision for paying the expenses of candidates who fail to enter and they must be prepared to defray all their own expenses.

No Cadet is permitted to receive money, or any other supplies, from his parents, or from any person whomsoever, without the sanction of the Superintendent. A most rigid observance of this regulation is urged upon all parents and guardians, as its violations would make distinctions between Cadets which it is the especial desire to avoid; the pay of a Cadet is sufficient, with proper economy, for his support.

Each Cadet must keep himself supplied with the following mentioned articles, viz. :

Two pairs of uniform shoes: six pairs of uniform white gloves; two sets of white belts; *eight white shirts; *four night shirts; twelve white linen collars; twelve pairs of white linen cuffs; *eight pairs of

socks; eight pairs of summer drawers: six pairs of winter drawers; *twelve pocket handkerchiefs; *twelve towels; two clothes bags, made of ticking; *one clothes brush; *one hairbrush; *one tooth brush; *one comb; one mattress; one pillow; four pillowcases; eight sheets, two blankets, and one quilted bed cover; one chair; one tumbler: *one trunk; one account book; one wash basin.

Candidates are authorized to bring with them the articles marked *.

Cadets are required to wear the prescribed uniform. All articles of their uniform are of a designated pattern, and are sold to Cadets at West Point at regulated prices.

DEPOSIT PRIOR TO ADMISSION.

Immediately after being admitted to the Institution, Cadets must be provided with an outfit of uniform, the cost of which will be about $100, which sum must be deposited with the Treasurer of the Academy before the candidate is admitted. It is best for a candidate to take with him no more money than will defray his traveling expenses, and for the parent or guardian to send to "The Treasurer of the U. S. Military Academy," the required deposit of $100. This amount is sufficient to equip a new Cadet with uniform and to supply him with all articles and books.

PROMOTION AFTER GRADUATION.

The attention of applicants and candidates is called to the following provisions of an Act of Congress approved May 17, 1886, to regulate the promotion of graduates of the United States Military Academy :

"That when any Cadet of the United States Military Academy has gone through all its classes and received a regular diploma from the Academic Staff, he may be promoted and commissioned as a second lieutenant in any arm or corps of the army in which there may be a vacancy and the duties of which he may have been judged competent to perform; and in case there shall not at the time be a vacancy in such arm or corps, he may, at the discretion of the President, be promoted and commissioned in it as an additional second lieutenant, with the usual pay and allowances of a second lieutenant, until a vacancy shall happen."