Audubon County Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Audubon Co., Iowa) 1885-1894, 1889-08-15
An Advocate Of Standing Armies

An Advocate or Standing ArmleA
Ina recent article In the Fortnight.
ly Review Gen Lord Wolsely, the Ad.
jutant General OF the British army,
and tho only general OF prominence 10
the service, publishes strong In.
dorsement OF the maintenance oil
large standing armies. After roview-
ing tho effects OF the huge armaments
of some of the continental powers oil
Europe, Lord Wolseley Expresses his
admiration for the beneficial results.
as he calls them, that have followed
from such aramments and general con.
criptions.
These huge standing armies, one oil
tho greatest OF living English generals
calls precious legacy bequeathed by
tho French revolution, and maintains
that the present system OF military
training that IL practiced on the con-
tinent and which is equivalent to main
tanning Europe In the condition OF an.
armed camp, is u blessing sufficient To
compensate tho nations OF tho Old
World for all the losses growing out OF
the revolution OF 1889.
Lord Wolseley naturally accepts the
German army rs tho highest type OF
this military development aud becomes
quito enthusiastic over tho benefits that
this inimitable military organization
has conferred on tho social delelopment
OF tho German Empire. Speaking of
this great military power, no says:
threat as IL Is In war, II Is infinitely
greater rs n national school for tho
moral, mental aud physical training OF
the people"
According thon TO this aristocratic
British soldier this perfection Of tho
system Of military development pro-
notes tho physical training OF men.
habits OF cleanliness and order obedi-
enco TO authority and u thorough moral
education that could not be obtained In
any other way.
This universal military service Is
considered by Lord Wolsoley as tho
surost bulwarlS against communism
and anarchy and the best prosorver OF
tho public peace and national institu-
tions. In this last result OF tho uni
versal military service there will UNI
qucstlonably DO found many to agree
with Lord Wolselcy who might not bo
disposed TO adopt his ideas on the adj
visibility OF turning Europe into an
armed camp. In those continental
countries OF Europe which now main
tain standing armies there Is every
reason TO believe that communism and
internal discussions are kept down by
the maintenance Of large military es-
Establishments, but this IL tho result
merely OF circumstances that exist In
these countries alone, but which are
totally lacking In England. where
Lord Wolseley would have the lessons
implied taken most TO heart.
England has steadily refused TO fol-
low the example OF continental Eu.
rope In maintaining large standing
army, and while supporting II sufficient
number OF troops 10 meet her absolute
necessities, there has been no attempt
ut arbitrary conscription or compul-
sorry service. Yet In spite OF England's
neglect Of tho means pronounced es-
sential by this high authority she has
hitherto held her own fairly we'll In
the race for power and prestige.
While maintaining but u moderate
strnding army, England has preserved
In n state OF perpetual efficiency an
immense militia force, which IL avail
able IN time Of need MS the best
equipped standing army could be.
Besides she has bccn able to do this
without neglecting her powers OF
oilense and defense. Her navy leads
the world, and hcr possessions OF de.
fensive and offensive works and arma.
ment rank with the most efficient al
present In existence.
What Is true Of England Is also trua
OF this country. Although our stand.
Ing army Is but IN insignificant body,
we possess a we'll trained militia force,
which II put In tho field would con,
stitutc IA host rs formidable us any
possessed by the most Wanted powers
OF Europe.
II is not, therefore, probable thai
any part of the Anglo-Saxon race IL
likely TO adopt Lord Wolscley'a view.
on standing armies, however useful
they may deem them for the mainten.
ance OF order in other communities. -
New Orleans Plcayune.