The Hawaiian gazette., 1874-03-18
Our Military.

The Advertiser thinks it unfortunate that cir.
cumstances have apparently led to the necessity,
that the first official act of the new Ministry
should be a revival of the Department of War
that the one measure for which the late admins
tration got universal as well as special credit
the abandonment Of any attempt to keep up a
regular military force-shoud be the very meas
ure that the new administration, Immediately on
assuming the rens of power, think proper to re-
verse;" That journal also suggests that some
apology should be given for the elaborate mill
tary establishment foreshadowed in the Articles
of War
We do not think it is necessary to comment on
the disbandment of the old Household Troops,
when it is borne IN mind that at that time no
rules had been made By Government to control
that small body Of troops, so that at tue first in
stance of mutiny, not only could no military or
der be enforced, but civil warrants of arrest of
mutineers had to be torn up in their presence
the most Illuminating spectacle that any Govern
ment could well furnish. The disbandment was
simply saying to the troops, you cannot be con-
trolled by law, and you may go. Illuminating as
tbis step was, it was all that could be done under
the circumstances.
The department of War has not been and can
not be abolished, except by special legislation,
and therefore has not been revived" That a
military organization of some kind is needed, re-
cent events have left no doubt Regarding the
question as to what that force should be- whether
q volunteer or paid military, there will be more
difference of opinion. The main thing is to have
such an armed force available for any crisis, as
may serve to impart feeling of security to all.
Its very existence must tend to remove all un-
easiness even though the necessity may never
arise for calling it out to quell disturbance. But
no armed force can long be kept in discipline
without military rules. Hence the publication of
the rules recently made needs no explanation,
provided We are to have military organization,
which all will admit we must have. We think all
must have felt, that properly disciplined Royal
Guard would have preserved the peace on the
day of the late election not. Since the dsband-
ment of the Household Troops, the duty of guard.
ing the Treasury, the Powder Magazine, the Bat
terry at L unCuOOWl tue alaCe, tue arms &C. AT
the Barracks, aud the Prisoners in Oahu Jail,
previously performed by them, has been per-
formed by Police at the rate Of some S72O a
month. We do not understand that it is intend
ed now to organize a Royal Guard on the ex-
tensive basis of expense of the Household troops,
but merely on the most economical basis posi-
bic at an expense probably not exceeding and
perhaps less than 81 200 month, or not $500
per month above the Police cost. To say that
the Royal Person shall have no military guard, is
to say what no people have yet thought concern
! ing their Sovereign. And it is merely question
whether the Guard shall be small number Of
say ten or fifteen, or sufficient number to guard
the other places above mentioned, instead of re-
lying on Policemen, as is now done. As mat
ter of economy alone, the present organization of
a Royal Guard to the number of thirty or there
abouts, with only three paid officers, easily ex-
/ plains ITSELF