The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1894-10-12
THE FEDERAL ARMY.
Gen. Schofield Says q Large In
crease Is Necessary.
TO SUPPRESS LABOR STRIKES.
ne rsss Of China Tells Us That Rich.
FepuIess Country without suesg
Dsfsnsss IL Net safe.


during the past year. He has been ~ the
head Of the army since the death Of Gen.
Sheridan. and announces his retirement
next rear. The report IL principally de-
voted 20 . discussion Of the necessity for
strengthening the military arm OF the
government to cope with internal dis
orders - veil as possible danger from
without, particularly referring to the Dsbs
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 Of forcibie resistanee
TO the execution of the laws Of the United
States. seizure or destruction OF property
under the care of United States courts,
and open defiance Of national authority.
These disorders, at first local In characfsr.
spread at length to about one-hait la
number and tgo-thirds ia area OF all the
states and territories. not including
Alaska So widespread and formidable an
instruction called for the vigorous action
dictated by the president At the city OF
Chicago resistance to the Law assumed
such formidable proportions that u was
necessary to concentrate al that place
nearly oil the army forces that could 10
made available from ali parts of the coun-
try, while on the Pacific coast the navy
department. placed 80 the disposal OF the
department commander the naval and
marine forces ut the Mare island navy
yard and these forces rendered valuable
services The responsible duties thus de-
volvsd on the army department command
srs were performed by them and the
troops under their command In the most
satisfactory manner. The instruction
vss promptly suppressed without unne-
esssary sacrifice Of life In any case.
The prompt and vigorous action OF the
troops In all cases, and the great for
bsarance manifested by them when sub-
iectsd to ali sorts OF insults and indignisies
designed 20 provoke retaliation, were
worthy OF the highest commentator. IL
illustrated In . most striking manner the
great value to . government Of we'll
disciplined force Ut ell times. subject to
the orders Of that government. for the
enforcement Of tbs faithful execution Of
sts laws.
1t would seam necessary to point out
the fact tina. any force, like the militia Of
. state or the police Of q city. acting
primarily under another authority,
though highly efficient in their appro-
pirate service, cannot be made q reliable
instrument for the prompt and effective
execution Of the laws Of the United
States. Manifestly every government
should have IN adequate force of its own
for the execution Of It's own laws. no less
than the judicial executive officers neces-
sary for the same purpose The country
10 now. for the first time, squarely con-
fronted with the necessity Of making suf.
fcicnt provision, not only for defense
against any possible foreign aggression.
bat also for defense against domestic vio-
lence In the form Of sorcibls resistance to
the laws ofthe United States.
h A lust estimate Of this means OF defense
requires 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 - to
be under the protection of tho national
government. When these facts are duly
considered 10 becomes manifest that the
present strength OF the army Is not ade-
quats TO the performance OF the service
which may at any time be required. 1t
certainly manifest that the present condi-
ton of the country. with population Of
nearly 20. oo0,o 900. under the danger of dis
order now known to exist. cannot DO 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 number and domestic violence
was not apprehended. One man to each
tour square miles of territory, or one man
to each 2. 500 OF population. 10 surely very
small guard to protect property aud pre-
vent the violation of law. leaving out of
consideration the force necessary to guard
the extended sea coast against sudden at
tack by foreign enemy. It'll also worthy
OF remark that more than once in the las,
summer an Infatuated mob In single
city Was twice ~ formidable in numbers
aud capable of doing vastly greater In
Jury to life and property than the most
formidable combination Of Indian war
riors that ever confronted the army in this
country. In n few words. the army has
been recently required to deaf with an
element far more numerous and danger
Gus 60 the country than any savage enemy
which IL has heretofore been called upon
60 meet
The effective strength Of the army
should be considerably increased. This
can be done At $ very small comparative
increase in cost The prescat regimeutal
creased. Two additional regiments OF ar
tiliery will oe necessary for sea coas, de-
Tense; two additional regiments OF cavalry
20 patrol the long lines of railroad under
government protection. and the twenty
i've regiments Of infantry converted into
three battalion organizations would, ii
Is believed. DO . just. conservative
estimate OF what 10 now aciu-
slly needed. Fer this the existing
number Of commissioned officers is
nearly sufficient But considerable PER-
mansnt increase in the enlisted strength
Of the army shonld he made. and a siiA
further Increase authorized To be made by
the president shen, ia his Judgment. an
emergency requiring it may reasonably es
forssesn. IL IS not good military svs,em
IN which the executive has no authority
whatever 10 increase the effective strength
OF the army in time Of need. ou, must wait
the allow process 0: the Legislature for that
matter.
Wise fcrs,aough, in apparent satieina.
ton Of such conditions as those which
have confronted the government during
the last year, dictated several year. aro
the establishment under authority ~
congress Of large military posts near the
great business and railway eeniers Of the
country. Several 81 these posts Ase now
in a condition 20 be occupied by troops.
while others are In process OF construction,
and tea others are still demanded. fer
which IL is presumed congress wgll in due
time maze the necessary appropriation.
Ger. Schefeid eontinaess
ia respect 10 the military necessities
which may t1sstbit ag.sS out OF 4 con Cd