Rock Island Argus., 1894-10-12
SCHOFIELD'S IDEAS.
Commander of the Army Ad.
vises More Soldiers.
DANGER OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE,
one Reason of His -Recommendation and
OF Foreign War Under Modern Military
Conditions Another - Some Remarks
Prompted by the Great Debs strike and
Other Causes of Turbulence at Home
Conduct of the Troops Praised,

Schoneld has made to the secretary of war
his report on the operations of the army
during the past year. General Schofield,
who has been at the head of the army since
! the death of General Sheridan, announces
his retirement next year. The report is
principally devoted to discussion of the
necessity for strengthening the military
arm OF the government to cope with inter-
nal disorder as well as possible danger
from without particular reference being
made to the Debs atrike. During a large
part Of the year." the report says. ''the
army has been employed in the suppress
sion OF domestic violence, which took the
form in many cases of forcible resistance
TO the execution of the laws of the United
States, seizure or destruction of property
under the care of the United States Off
GERS and open defiance of the national au-
thority.'
Praises the Conduct of the Troops.
After describing briefly the extent and
character of the disturbances the general
says: "The instruction was promptly
suppressed without any unnecessary sacri-
lice OF life in any case. The prompt and
vigorous action of the troops in all cases
and the great forbearance manifested by
them when subjected to all sorts of in
suits and indignities designed to provoke
retaliation Were worthy of the very high
est commendation. They illustrated in a
most striking manner the great value to n
government of a well disciplined force, at
all times subject to the orders of that gov
L.,
ful execution of its laws. 1t would seem
unnecessary TO point out the fact that any
force like the militia of a state or the po-
lice of city, acting primarily under an
other authority, though highly cflicie IN
their appropriate service, cannot he made
a reliable instrument for the prompt and
efficient execution of the laws of The
United States
Defense Against Domestic Violence.
Manifcstly, every government should
have ar adequate force of its own for the
execution of its own laws. no less than the
judicial and executive officers necessary
for the same purpose. The country is now
for the first time sQuarcry confronted with
the necessity of making adequate pro-
vision. not only for defense against any
possible foreign aggression, but also for
defense against domestic violence in the
lorllI Oh lCfC!Dtc reSlstlncp TO tic laws OF
the United States. A just estimate of
these means of defense requires considera-
tion of the vast extent of the United States
and the great amount of property widely
dispersed throughout of the territory.
either belonging to the United States or
in such condition as to b. under the pro-
lection of the national government.
Wants an Increase in the Army.
When these facts are duly considered
| it becomes manifest that the present
| strength of the army is not adequate to
| the performance of the service which may
| at any time be required. 1t is certainly
| manifest that the present condition of tho
country with population of 10,000,O00
| under the danger of disorder now known
| to exist. cannot bc met by the same force
| that was deemed adequate twenty-five
| years ago, when the population OF the
| country was less than half its present
| amount and domestic violence was not
apprehended. One man to fourteen
square miles of territory, or one man to
2,S00 of population, is surely n very small
| guard to protect property and prevent
violation of law, leaving out of considera-
| ton the force necessary to guard the cx-
| tended sea coast against sudden attack
| by foreign enemy
| Mobs More Dangerous Than Mr.. Lo.
at is also worthy of remark that moro
than once in the last summer an infuri-
| atcd mob in Il single city was twice as
formidable in numbers and capable of do
| ing vastly greater injury to life and prop
erty as the most formidable combination
| of Indian warriors that ever confronted
the army in this country. In other words
| the army has recently been required to
deal with an enemy far more numerous
f, and dangerous to the country than any
| savage enemy which it has heretofore been
called upon to meet.