The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1894-10-12
INCREASE THE ARMY.
General ScheGel1 THINKS It Ex-
tremely Necessary.
A CHAPTER ON STRIKE DISORDERS

The General of the Army Thinks tho
President Should Have Power to Increase
the Army in Such Cases-The Lesson
Taught by Japanese Victories.
WASHINGTON, Oct. 12.-Major General
Schofield, general of tho army. has made
to the secretary of war his report on the
operations of the army during the past
year. The report is of peculiar interest,
both on account of the fact that General
Scholleld, who has been Mt the head Of the
army since the death of General Sheridan,
announces his retirement next year, and
from tho fact that it is principally devoted
to n discussion of the necessity for strength
ening the military arm of the government
to cope with internal disorder as well as
possible danger from without, particular
reference being made to the Dcbs strike.
"During large part of the year" the
report says, "the army has been employed
In the suppression of domestic violence,
which took the form in many cases of for
ciblc resistance to the execution of the
laws of the United States, seizure or dis
truction of property under the care of
United States officers, and open defiance Of
the national authority
'These disorders at first local In their
character, spread at length to about one
half in number, and twothirds In area of
all the states and territories, excluding
Alaska. So widespread and formidable m
instruction called for the vigorous action
dictated by the president.
'1t would seem unnecessary to point
out the fact that any force like the militia
OF u state, or the police of city, acting
principally under another authority,
though highly efficient in their appropriate
service, cannot be made u reliable instru-
mcnt for the prompt and effective execu-
tion of the laws of the United States.
Manlfostly, every government should have
an adequate force of its own for tho execu-
tion OF its own laws, no less than the
judicial and executive officers necessary
for the Same purpose.
"The country is now for the first timc
squarely confronted with the necessity of
making adequate provision, not only for
defense against any possible foreign ag-
gression, but also for defense against do
mestio violence in the form of forcible re-
sistance to the laws of the United States
A just estimate OF these means of defense
requires consideration of the vast extent
of the United States territory and the
great amount of property, widely dispersed
throughout this territory, either belong
ing to the United States or In such condi-
tion as to bo under the protection of tho
national government. 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.
"Such disorders us those which have
afflicted the country during the last year
do not come suddenly, or unexpectedly,
Intelligent observation fully justified the
prediction OF such troubles year before
they appeared. Concidcnt with the first
indication of coming disorder was dimn-
ution of industrial employment, by which
lal &c numbers of honest and faithful In
borers were deprived of their accustomed
work, and hence sought enlistment in the
army. If authority had existed by which
the president could have received few
thousand Of these men into the ranks they
would have become well disciplined, re-
liable soldiers by the time the troops were
called out to suppress mob violence.
sin respect to the military necessities
which may possibly arise out of conflict
with foreign powers it has for many years
seemed impossible to impress upon the
people Of the United States in general the
views entertained by MI thoughtful mill
itary students This impossibility appears
to have resulted very largely from the na-
tional self esteem which grew out of the
results of the great domestic conflict
through which the country passed in the
period from 1881 to 1865. The condition Of
the public mind since that time has been
that of confident inyinoibility against any
possible foreign attack. However humil-
iating it may be TO this self esteem, It Is
nevertheless a simple duty to point to the
great military lesson which is now being
taught to the entire world.
1.-The most populous and one of the most
wealthy of all the nations of the earth Is
subjected to extreme humiliation and dis.
grace, to result possibly in the overthrow
of a dynasty, ut the hands of little nation
of ene-t tenth its population and about one
tenth its territorial area. And why is
thisH 1t is not because great people are
lacking in talent or general education, or
military courage, but because they have
failed to develop their military strength
and resources, in which they are far bo-
hind the enterprising little military nation
that is now teaching them and the world
this tremendous lesson.
1.-THE relation of the United States to
the great military powers of Europe now
exhibits far greater disparity In respect
to preparation for VIII than that which has
existed between China and Japan. Will
the people OF the United States and their
representatives have the wisdom to profit
by this lesson9"