The record-union., 1892-02-20
a NEW ARMY.
What Is Proposed to Do With Citizen
Soldiers.
Our Neglect-How to Remedy TIED
eralizing the National Guard
What 1t VIII Cost.

Twenty-fourth United States Infantry, is
the author of thoughtful, extended
essay on the United States army, which
is printed in the January number of the
Journal Of the Military Sercice I1esttto-
ton. The RECoRD-UNIoN presents here
with an adequate synopsis of the paper.
He claims that the time is at hand when
we must maintain protection commen-
surate with the wealth and the weakness
of the American nation. That to the
south of us lie rich countries upon which
the covetous eyes of Europe dwell. and
which We cannot permit to become
European colonies That the Monroe
doctrine is something more than senti-
ment, and that the failure OF Macmillan
is no guaranty that other attempts of like
character will not succeed.
We are, says the essayist, literally
challenging the world TO arms, without
preparing for the possible result. Cut
ting canal across Central America, eX-
tending commercial intercourse, sending
trade after the flag, aiding powers that
are jealous OF us TO build strongly to our
borders, brought by steam into close
contact with Europe, with great cities
near our frontiers. and centers of enter
prise within gunshot of foreign SOIL we
mics, which, assaulted, would paralyze
our prosperity.
No question can excite Europe greatly
now without agitating US; our interests
are threatened by aggressions far from
our borders, and turmoil, in the origin of
which we nave no part. We have i'm
ported from Europe OF its best and also
OF its worst elements; they constitute
factors in cur population and politics;
anarchy has lifted its head defiantly
within our gates, and threats and dissen-
slons occur that bid us make ready III
peace 10 preserve peace and sustain the
rule of civil law and the efTectual vigor of
civil process.
He does not think that we will ever
nave reason to fear national conquest,
hnt believes that the danger of national
humiliation is imminent, and that it may
involve loss of property that would far
outweigh the cost OF timely reparation.
Finally, ne holds that fighting is a part
OF mans nature, and that sooner or later,
we must fight.
Thus promising, this soldier calls at
tentlon to the tact that we have raw
material for war IN abundance, that the
American possesses all the natural duali-
ties of soldier, and with discipline and
organization he makes the best soldier
on the planet.
But unframed yalor is not sufficient for
adequate protection or military success:
ii 1t were, 100000 patriotic French levies
would not have surrendered Paris to the
trained troops OF Germany. We must
not forget the disgrace Of 1861 in conten-
plating the successes of later years of the
war, nor run away with the idea that a
raw levy would equal the soldiers Of Get
tysburg, though the material may be the
same.
Then the Lieutenant comes to the real
point and pith of his paper. He is not
q Gtel nd
for trained corps in every State, Of citi-
zen soldiers constituting an inactive. or
reserve force. In theory we hold every
citizen within certain years and able
bodied to be a soldier. What Lieutenant
Bachelor would have is conversion of
these liable men into real soldiers. Our
people would never submit to universal
military service, but they can be led
patrlotlcaily into trained organization
that will make the militia tower and wall
OF defense, and, if need be, of otfense.
That Is, he would supplement our
small Standing army with militia army. |
Now the militia exists on paper ONLY. |
The law still stands requiring officers of !
the militia 10 be armed with "spontoon', /
and the men provided with equipments
unknown TO the generation.
The National Guard in the several
States are not, according to Lieutenant
BACHELOR, militia, because they do not ex-
list by reason of militia law, and are not
subject to the orders of the President. !
They are, in short, State troops. recruited |
by voluntary enlistment, supported and |
uniformed 10y the State, and though the
arms come from the General Govern |
ment, they are really armed by the State. /
They do not exist by warrant of Federal /
law, anu are little State armies and avail |
able only for service within the State. In !
fact, without consent of Congress. no |
State can keep troops in time of peace,
and hence they are IN contravention ofthe /
Constitution. But in this we think the |
Lieutenant weak, since Congress. by au-
thorizing the War Department. 10 aid and |
train State troops. and by authorizing |
distribution Of arms among them. CON |
sents to the maintenance OF these little |
armies"
But thus far, and with this exception, |
the Lieutenant makes his footing strong, |
and we are in accord with him III his |
proposition that it is the part Of wisdom
TO increase and improve the National |
Guard, 10 make it in reality, as in name, |
a National Guard. 1t now numbers !
about 10000 men, with not more than |
$4,000 available on call. 1t is main |
tanned by the States because of the feel !
ing of the people that something should !
be done TO remedy the neglect of Con- !
gress.
Now, shall this guard be increased?
That is the real question at which Lieu |
further, we are prepared TO answer yes, !
and be made efficient by training, arm
ing and by control under the General
Government TO given extent. but with !
out extinction of the character of State
troops. We PISS his elaborate review Of
the population, wealth and property
along the British-American line; the
treaty of 1917, relative to armed ships on
the great lakes; the construction of canals
on the Canada side, by which the navy of
England, III considerable part, could be
passed inland; that proper preparations
are not measures of provocation, but of
prevention and the preservation of
peace; and his quotations from the latest
report of the Secretary of War, deploring
our unprotected condition along the
great lakes national border.
New Y ork, he estimated, could, in an
emergency, supply 5000 troops, and 5000
of them would be needed TO defend New
York City. All the others would be scat
tered from the Hudson to Lake Erie
Ohio could march $500 to defend four
large cities, Michigan LOO to defend De-
troit, Wisconsin 1,500 to defend Aiilwau-
kee, Illinois has 1000 on paper, and viii
soon nave eco regulars in garrison, so
that fully 3, T00men might be concentrated
TO defend Chicago.
These are men already trained in the
National Guard, and an insignificant
number it certainly is. A million might
be rallied by volunteering. but that is
precisely what the Lieutenant claims is
not wanted. since the volunteer forces
viii be what he considers raw levieS. and
must be converted into an army 10 be
economically available against trained
troops.
The Secretary advises the terrifying of
certain points to be maintained as nulcei;
but the Lieutenant asks with such nulcei
where are the troops TO come from to be