Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-03-19

M oi War-ano TINS desire
W TMhas lulled the people
W. into feeling ofindiffer-
ence alike unwarranted and unjustiiable. The
men who know the real condition Of the coun-
try hesitate to tell the exact truth about IT, the
actual knowledge is possessed only by the few
who have made study Of the subject, who have
had experience in warfare and who know how
great is the progress that has been made in the
art OF war during the last thirty years
SOME uSACCoUSTADLE DELUsIoxs.
There are some delusions, however. that
seem to the military man almost unaccount
able. The first is the superstition that there
would be plenty of time in which to prepare for
war. All history proves that many important
wars were decided in q few weeks some in a
few days, and the great majority of them
started without any notification whatever In
the last 100 years in less than ten cases out Of
l20 have there been any declarations Of war
preceding actual hostilities.
Another delusion is the one that go. 900 600
OF people with sixty billions of wealth could
depend upon its ingenuity to brighten great
military or natal power away from our from
tier or our seacoast Az matter Of fact the
ingenuity Of man has been taxed for the last
thirty years in inventing new engines of war.
ana American inventors have carried the crea-
tons OF their genius to England, France Ger
many, Russia and even China to get them
adopted.
1.-The third delusion is that we. in the absence
OF land batteries (Which would render many
positions on our coast as impregnable as Glib
raifer) and in the absence Of even fourth rate
naval power we could defend our great cities
and harbors-where the wealth of three hun
dred years has been accumulating-by sinking
hulks Of ships and by the laying Of: submarine
mlnes and torpedoes. II these obstructions
dld not destroy our harbors and navigable
rivers they would certainly put an end to our
foreign commerce.
GADotbar da1,a;ox L.
mere numbers constitute military and naval
strength. 80 many people forget the fact that
steam power, electricity, dynamite and other
high explosives, steel guns. capable Of throwing
ton OF iron ten or twelve miles, smokeless aud
uoiseless powder and machine guns are the en-
gines Of war now used by every civilized nation,
and that 1t requires years to equip any consider
able force with these appliances.
Our ARMY AND NATIONAL GUARD
I'm proportion to our wealth and populs-
ton the army has been reduced to the extreme
minimum. 1t in small, but it is most eff
ficient; in intelligence, courage and patriotism
1t will compare favorably with any military
force in the world. The same may be said of
the National Guard; a more intelligent and
patriotic body OF men does not stand on the
face OF the globe under any colors yet in order to
have them properly equipped and properly
prepared so that they may be one of the pillars
OF strength upon which this great republic rests
one OF two things must be done: Either the
press OF the country must tell the plain truth
and educate the public mind up to our real
condition and necessities or we must meet
some serious disaster that may check our
progress and burden US with national debt
that would last for another generation. There
Is some danger In our geographical greatness;
our population may soon be 10 large that the
people OF the interior will become Indifferent
to the interests of those living on the frontier
and those who dwell on the frontier become
careless as to the welfare Of those who inhabit
the interior.
TOO much is expected Of our navy. It
almost ludicrous to think Of holding the navy
Responsible for 900 miles OF frontier occupied
by ~, COO, 900 Of people, the possessors Of one
twelfth OF the country's wealth. The mort
navy can do Is to protect the commerce Of
country and cope with foreign fleets. Forti-
hcat1ons will some day receive from the Ameri-
can people the consideration such defenses de-
serve; let Us trust they may never be needed
before we have them
@ MOBILIZATION NECESSARY.
Cannot some mobilization Of the regular
army and the National Guard be brought
abcnt! asked the reporter.
II believe 1t will be-" replied the general
1.-THE necessity for such an assembly must he
apparent to every thinking man. In accord
ance with arrangements which were made at a
convention held last November there will be a
National Guard encampment at Chicago in the
aiShta Va AoBuSt, 1870 the OBJECT OF this en-
campment will be to promote the efficiency of
the National Guard, to give officers experience
In the handling OF large bodies of citizen troops
ana TO promote fraternal feeling between the
state troops from all sections Of the country.
Whether Congress furnishes the necessary
transportation or not, the troops will un-
doubtedly assemble at that time for q great ma
tional camp and valuable field maneuvers. The
matter Is not being pressed before Congress Just
now, because OF the coming election, but when
the political campaign is ail over the question
Will be brought mp and pushed to u conclusion
There will be ample time in which to make the
necessary arrangements. The dedicatory cere-
monies will occur in October next and are ex-
pected to last about four days. The attendant
ceremonies will be imposing; the President Of
the United States, his cabinet and the poyern-
ors OF all tho states are expected to be present.
The worlds fair is going to be a very great
success 1t will astonish not only the people
OF our own country, but also the people
OF Europe. 1t is an enterprise OF I'M
paralleled magnitude. The buildings are
much larger and equal in architecture to
any heretofore erected for such purpose; the
largest one covers thirty-two acres OF ground
In spite OF the liberal provision made the man
agement already finds it necessary to refuse
space to many who are DESTROYS Of making ex-
hibits. The exposition cannot fail to be in
tensely interesting and instructive; it will il
iustrate the marvellous enterprise, industry and
intelligence Of the American people-the great
triumph Of peace and the progress Of civiliza-