The morning call., 1894-10-12
NEED MORE MEN.
General Schofield on the
Army.
1T PUT DOWN THE STRIKE.
Every Soldier Was Required for
the Service.
1T PUT DOWN THE STRIKE.
NOT A LARGE INCREASE ASKED.
But the President Should Have the
Power to Authorize Enlistment
i'm Time of Need.

WASHINGTON. Oct. 11.-Major-Genera
Schofieid has made to the Secretary OF
War his report on the operations Of the
army during the pastyear. General Scho-
field, who has been at the head of the
army since the death of General Sheridan,
announced his retirement next year. The
report is principally devoted to discus
sion of the necessity for strengthening The
military arm of the Government TO cope
with internal disorders as well as possible
danger from without. particular reference
being made 10 the Debs strike.
During large part of the year, the re-
port SAYS, the army has been employed in
the suppression 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 United States
officers and open defiance Of national
authority. These disorders. at first local
In character, spread at length to about
ene-half in number and two-thirds in area
OF all the States and Territories, excluding
Alaska. So widespread and formidable
an insurrection called for the vigorous
action dlctated by the President At the
city of Chicago resistance to law assumed
such form liable proportions that it was
necessary 10 concentrate at that place
nearly all the army forces that could be
made available. from all parts of the coun-
try, while on the Pacific Coast the Navy
Department placed al the disposal of the
department commander the naval and
marine forces of the Mare Island Navy
yard, and these forces rendered valuable
services.
The responsible duties thus devolved
upon the army department commanders
were performed by them and the troops
under their command in the most salts
factory manner. The insurrection was
prom thy suppressed without any unneces-
sary sacrifice of life In any case. The
prompt and vigorous action of the troops
in all cases and the great forbearauce man
ifesled by them when subjected to all sorts
of insults and indignities designed 10 pro-
woke retaliation were worthy of the very
highest commentator. 1t illustrated in
the most striking manner the great value
to G0vern ment of a well-disciplined
force at al! times. subject 10 the orders Of
tnat Government for the enforcement of the
faithful execution Of its laws.
1t would seem unnecessary to point out
the fact that any force like the militia Of a
Safe or the police of city, acting primari-
ly under another authority, though highly
efficient in their appropriate service, can
not be made a reliable instrument for the
prompt aad effective execution of the laws
of the United States. Manifestly every
Government should have an adequate force
of its own for the execution of its own
laws, no less than the judicial executive
officers necessary for the same purpose.
The country is now for the first time
squarely confronted with the necessity of
making adequate provision, not only for
defense against any possible foreign
aggression, but also for defense against
domestic violence in the form of forcible
resistance TO the la VS. of the United States.
A just estimate OF those means of defense
required consideration of the vast extent of
the United States and the great amount of
property widely dispersed throughout this
Territory, either belonging to the United
States or in such condition as to be under
the protection of the National Govern
ment. When these facts are duly consid-
cred it becomes manifest that the present
strength of the army is not adequate to the
performance of the service which may a,
any time be required.
1t is certainly manifest that the present
condition OF the country with population
of nearly 100000, under the danger of
disorder now known to exist, cannot be
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 vio-
lence was not apprehended. One man to
$500 of population is surely very small
guard to protect property and prevent vio-
latIon Of law, leaving out of consideration
the force necessary to guard the extended
sea coast against sudden attack by a for
eign enemy. Ii is also worthy of remark
that more than once in the last summer an
iniurated mob in a single city was twice
as formidable in number, and capable OF
doing vastly greater injury to life and
property. as the mos form liable combina-
ton OF Indian. warriors that ever con-
fronted the army in this country. In few
words the army has been recently required
TO deal with an army far more numerous
and dangerous to the country than any
savage enemy which it has heretofore been
cdieu upOu 10 meet.
The effective strength of the army
should he considerably increased. This
can be done at very small com imperative
increase in cost. The present regimental
organizations need n ot be largely increased.
Two additional regiments OF artillery for
the necessary seacoast defense; two ad-
ditional regiments of cavalry TO patrol the
long lines of railroad under Government
protection and the twenty. five regiments
of infantry converted into three battalion
organic tions would, ii is believed, be a just,
conservative estimate of what is now actu-
ally needed. For this. the existing number
of commissioned officers is nearly sufficient.
But considerable permanent increase in
the enlisted strength Of the army should
be made and a still further Increase
authorized 10 be made by the President,
when in his judgment an emergency re-
curing it may easonably be foreseen. II
is not good military system in which the
executive has no authority whatever to in
crease the effective strength of the army
in time Of need, but must await the slow
process of legislation. For that matter wise
forethought in apparent anticipation oil
such conditions as these " hich confronted
the Government during the last year die
tated, several years ago, the establish
l