The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1894-10-12
PREPARE FOR WAR
GENERAL SCHOFIELD BELIEVES IN
THE OLD ADAGE.
Annual Report of Military Opera
tons for the Year Urges Necessity
of Strengthening the Army in View
of Internal Disorders and Posi-
bic Foreign Complications.


ing the past year. General Schofeid, who
has been at the head of the army since the
death Of General Sheridan, announces his
retirement next year. Tie report is prin-
cipally devoted to a discussion of the
necessity for strengthening tue military
arm of the government TO cope with the
international disorder as well as possible
danger from without, particular reference
being made TO The Debs' strike.
During a 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
chile resistance to the execution of the
laws of the United States, seizure or de-
struction of property under the care of
United States Officers and open defiance of
national authority. THESE disorders, at
first local in their character, spread at
length to about oue-half in number, and
two thirds in area of all the states and ter
rItories, excluding Alaska So wide spread
and formidable insurrection called for
the vigorous action dictated by the presi-
dent.
CoMMENDABLE FORBEARANCE OF TROOPS
AT the city of Chicago, resistance to
law assumed such formidable proportions
that IL was necessary to concentrate at
that place nearly all the army forces that
could be made available, from all parts of
the country, while on the Pacific coast the
navy department placed at the disposal Of
the department commander the naval and
marine forces at the Mare Island navy
yard, and those forces rendered valuable
servic-s. The responsible duties thus de-
yolved upon the army department CON-
nanders, were performed by them and the
troops under their command in the most
ff-f ...s.
WAS promptly suppressed without any I'M
necessary sacrifice of life in any case.
The prompt and vigorous action of the
troops IN all Cases and the great forbear-
ance manifested by them when subjected
TO all sorts OF insults and indignities, de-
signed to provoke retaliation, were worthy
of the very highest COMMUNICATION. 1t
illustrated in most striking manner the
great value to government OF a well dis
cipiired force at all times, subject to
orders OF that government. for the enforce
ment of the faithful execution of its laws.
LOCAL POLICE ARE NOT SUFFICIENT.
1t would seem unnecessary to point out
the fact that any force like the militia of a
state, or the police of city, acting pri-
marlly under another authority though
highly efficient In their appropriate SER
vice, cannot be made reliable Instrument
for the prompt aud effective execution of
the laws of the United States. Manifestly
every government should have an ade.
quate force of its own for the execution of
its laws, no less than the judicial execu-
tive officers necessary for the same pur-
pose.
The country is now for the first time
squarely confronted with the necessity
OF making adequate provisions not
only for defense against any posi-
BILE foreign aggressor, but also for
defense against domestic violence in the
form OF forcible resistance to the laws of
the United States. 4 just estimate of
those means of defence required consider
alton of the vast extent of the United
States and tue great amount of property
widely dispersed throughout this territory,
either belonging TO the United States or In
such condition as 10 be under the protec-
ton of the national government. When
these facts are duly considered il 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.
MORE FORMIDABLE THAN INDIANS.
ut is certainly manifest that the pres
ent condition OF the country, with d popu-
lStiOn of nearly seventy millions 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 was less than half its
present amount and domestic violence was
not unprecedented. One man to fourteen
square miles of territory, or one man to
twenty eight hundred of population, is
surely very small guard 10 protect prop
erty and prevent violation of law, leaving
out of consideration the force necessary TO
guard the extended sea coast against sud-
den attack by foreign enemy
1t Is also worthy OF remark that more
than once in the last summer an infuria-
tad u. - 10 faffx
midable in number and capable of doing
vastly and greater injury to life aud prop
erty as the most formidable combination
of Indian warriors that ever confronted
the army in this country. In few words |
the army has been recently required to
deal with army far more numerous
and dangerous to the country than any
savage enemy which it has heretofore been |
called upon To meet.
ARMY SHOULD BE CONSIDERABLY INCREASED !
The effective strength of the army /
should be considerably increased. This !
can oe done at very small increase
in cost. The present regimental reorgau- /
ization need not be largely increased. Two |
additional regiments of artillery for the /
necessary sea coast defense; two additional |
regi mentS of cavalry to patrol the long /
lines of railroad under government protec- !
ton ana the present twenty-five regiments |
Oh sUldutIS. COufCAlcAi inlD lEIcc battalion /
organizations, would, 1t Is believed, be 4
just conservative estimate of what Is now |
actually needed.
FOR this the existing number OF commits /
stoned officers Is nearly sufficient But a /
permanent increase in the en-
listed strength of the army should be |
made, and still further increase author
ICED 10 be made by the president, when in /
his judgment an emergency requiring il |
may reasonably be foreseeu. IL is not a |
good military system in which the eXecu
tive has no authority whatever 10 increase
the effective strength Of the army in time
Of need but must await the slow process
Of legislation for that purpose
Wise forethOught IN apparent anticipa-
ton Of such conditions a. those which !
have confronted the government during
the last year, dictated, several years sgo, |
he establishment under authority OF Con
sress, CT la ge military posts near the great
business aud railway cent-rs Of The coun-
try. Several OF these large posts are uow
IA condition TO be occupied by troops,
while others are in process Of construction
and a few others arr >Gill demanded, for
which IL Is presumed congress VIII In due |
lime make the necessary appropriations.
CONFIDENT OF THEIR INvINCIBILITT
In respect TO the military necessities
which may possibly arise out OF conflict
with foreign powers IL has for many years
seemed impossible 70 impress upon the
people OF the United States In general the
view entertained by all thoughtful mill
sry students. The condition OF the pub
&c mind since ls6i-65 has been that OF con-
ldent lBviucibinty against any possible I
foreign attack Ii j therefore a simple
duty 10 point TO the great military lesson
which Is now being taught 10 the entire
world.
The most populous and one OF the most
wealthy nations OF Ihs earth l. subjected
10 extreme humiliation and Disgrace, /
Bsrn may r--ntr -s>-Thiy IN 1