Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-10-12
GEN. ScHOFIELD'S WARNING
He Thinks the Government Should Be Pre-
pared for Emergencies
An Increase In the United states Army
Advocated and the sapplyins Of
Proper Coast Fortiacatioa..

Proper Coast Fortiacation..
Gen. Schofield Is a strong and consistent
advocate OF an In rease OF the military
strength OF the United States. This 10 the
leading subject OF discussion In his annual
rercrt TO the Secretary OF War. and he does
not mince words in his argument His plan
for an Increase of the army was outlined in
yesterdays Star.
The present strength OF the army" says
Gen. Schofield rs not quite adequate TO
SUPPLY appropriate garrisons for all the
posts nov occupied. OF ready for occupa-
ton. while the new posts. which must un-
dcGbtedly be authorized by Congress In the
near future. especially along the seaboard.
where permanent fcrtiRcations are con-
tenplated. will be entirely without appro-
pirate garrisons, unless the army is suitably
ressed. But IL the very moderate In
crease In the effective strength OF the army
which has been recommended be authorized
and the military posts heretofore recum-
| ntended be constructed. the army will be- 50
far as can now be anticipated. In a fairly ef-
fective condition 10 enforce the faithful ex-
ecution Of the laws OF the United States.
This view of the military necessities Of the
| country must, it would seem, be manifest
W EVERY cllt1cn.
But, In respect to the military necessities
which may possibly arise out OF conflict
| with foreign powers. IL has for many years
| seemed Impossible TO impress upon the peo-
| pie Of the United States in general the
views entertained by all thoughtful military
students. This impossibility appears 70
| have resulted very largely from the national
self-esteem which grew out of the results
| OF the great domestic conflict through which
| the country passed in the period from ls5l
1 az no
since that time has been that OF confident
inVfncibiiity against any possible foreign
| attack. However Illuminating il may be to
/ this confident sei<-esteem, Il is nevertheless
| a simple duty to point TO the great military
lesson which is now being taught TO tina
| entire world.
China as an Illustration.
The most popuious and one Of the most
wealthy OF all the nations OF the earth -
| subjected to extreme humiliation and dis
grace. to result possibly in the overthrow
| OF q dynasty. at the hands OF a little ma
ton OF one-tenth ITS population and about
| cne-tenth its territorial area. And why IS
| thisR IL Is not because that great people
are lacking in talent, or general education.
| VI military courage, bat because they nave
failed to develop their military strengtE
ana resources. In disciplined troops, ia
| arms and equipments OF all kinds, Ia eff
| cient ships OF war and I'M general military
prepa ration and education, they are lar be-
hind the enteTprising little military nation
that is Tow teaching them and the World
| this tremendous lesson.
The relation Of the United States to the
| great military powers OF Europe now ex-
| hibits far greater disparity in respect to
preparation Tor war than that which mas
existed between China and Japan. Win tho
people of the United States aad their rep
| resentatiyes have the modesty TO appreciate
and the wisdom to Pront by this lesson?
To he Prepared.
THE Atlantic ocean is, under modern con-
ditions, little more serious an obstacle TO
the nayies and transports of Europe than
are the Japan and Yellow seas to those Of
| Japan. Whence comes our feeling Of Sc
cCrity? Are the other nations OF the earth
so much more in love with us and our in
situations than are our own people that we
can always rely upon the friendship. ana
good Will OF foreigners. while many thou
sands OF our own citizens must be con-
| trolled by the strong military arm7 Are
our statesmen so Tar more skilled in state
craft and diplomacy than others that we
can rely upon their ability TO always secure
by such means the interests and honor Of
the United states I'm competition with the
often conflicting Interests Of other coun-
Tries! Or are the people OF this country
ready TO see the national honor sacrificed
when need be to secure material interests
or avoid conflict of arms? What qua "a nice
OF peace with honor has the history OF the
world ever assured. except preparation for
war; and now that modern science has so
radically changed the conditions of military
ana naval success, how much more imnos-
sible has security for peace consistent with
nonor become, except through thorough
preparations for war?
Coast FortincatIons.
THE time has therefore fully come when
the people OF the United States should dis
miss the overconhdence born OF past ex-
perience and look the future squarely In the
face. The more especially Is this the fact
in respect to the extended seacoasts Of the
country and the broad oceans where the
interests OF the United States must De de-
Tended and protected. II this country "a TO
continue TO be a hrst-class nation. Armies,
even though well disciplined well instructed
and perfectly armed, cannot defend the
seacoast against modern ships OF war. Suit
able fortincations with effective high power
armament are the only possible means Of
such defense. while the fnest navy which
the able officers Of that department have
ever proposed viii be abundantly employed
In rendering Indispensable service in all
parts OF the maritime world. Hence. no
time should be lost In prosecuting the sys-
TEN OF fortihcations and armament hereto
fore inaugurated, until all the great sea-
ports OF the country are placed In a satis-
against any possible attack. The most
liberal appropriations for this purpose viii
be the wisest economy.
His Final Words.
Every year heretofore In proportion to
my official responsibilities. I have endeav.
ored to point out what I believed to bs the
military necessities OF the country In these
respects. Now, in this. the las; annual re-
port which 1 expect to be called upon to
write. 1 deem IL my duty 70 make a last and
more emphatic presentation to my fellow
citizens and to their government Of what
consider requisite to place their military co.
adjustment In all respects on a footing
commensurate with the interests, dignity
and honor Of q great nation.
continental isolation II no longer any
security against formidable attack. Great
- a ocn ana wealth are only the crude
materials from which military strength
may be created No nation, hosever rops-
.----,ss, HOl,e 10 maintain tt-
- ---l,sls The great nations of the earth
unless Its military strength is made by
development TO bear a reasonable proper.
ton TO that maintained by the other great
nations.
Americas Proper Position.
The conflicting interests and jesiousies Of
other nations may at times prevent any Of
them from engaging In active hostilitiss
against this country buf af ofhar ftusa