The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1894-10-12
THE OPERATIONS Of THE ARMY
General Schofield', Annual
Report.
More Foes Threatening From Within
Than without.
Great Need of Strengthening the Mill
tary Arm of the Government
to Suppress Internal
Disorders.
By the Associated Press.

By the Associated Press.
WASHINGTON, Oct. 11.-Major General
Schofisld has made report to the sec
rotary of war on operations OF the army
during the past year. Gen. Schofield,
who has been at the head of the army
snce the death of General Sheridan, an
nounced his retirement next year. His
report is principally devoted to the dis
cussion OF the necessity for strengthen
ing the military arm OF the government
to cope with internal disorders, as well
as possible danger from without, partic-
ular reference being made to the Debs
strike.
During large part of the year, the
report esys, the army has been employ
ed in the suppression of domestic VIC
lence which took the form in many cases
OF forciable 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 to national authority. These
disorders, at frat local in character,
spread at length to about one.hnlt in
II
states and territories excluding Alaska.
So widespread and formidable an insur-
rection called for the vigorous action
dictated by the president.
At the city of Chicago resistance to
law assumed such formidable propor-
tions that il was necessary to concen-
trate 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, end these
forces rendered valuable services. The
responsible dutiea thus devolvad upon
the army department commanders, were
performed by them and the troops
under their command in the most satis-
factory manner. The instruction was
promptly suppressed without any IN
necessary sacrifice OF life in any case.
The prompt and vigorouu action of
the troops in all cases and the great for
bearance manifested by them when sub
iected to all sorts OF insults and indigni-
tee designed to provoke retaliation,
were worthy OF the very highest COM
mendation. 1t illustrated in q most
striking manner the great value to q
government OF we'll disciplined force,
at all times subject to orders of that
government for the enforcement of the
faithful execution of it's laws.
It would eeem unnecessary to point
out the fact that any force like the mill
tia of state or the police OF city, act
ing primarily under another authority,
though highly efficient in their appro-
pirate service, cannot be made q relia-
BILE instrument for the prompt and ef-
fective execution OF the laws OF the United
States. Manifestly every government
should have an adequate force of it's own
for the execution of its, own laws, no
less than the judicial and executive Of
fcers necessary for the same purpose.
The country is now for the first time
squarsly 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 laws of the United
States. A just estimate OF those means
of defense requires consideration of the
vast extent of the United States and the
great amount of property widely dis
perHed throughout this territory, which
belongs to the United States, or 10 in
such condition as 10 be under the pro.
lection of the national government.
When these facts are duly consid-
cred it becomes manifest that the
present strength of the army ia
not adequate to the performance
of the service which may at sny time
be required. 1t is certainly manifest
that the present condition of the coun-
try, with population of nearly 10000
600, under the danger of discord now
known to exist, cannot be met by the
same force that wes deemed adequate 20
years ago, when the population of the
country was less than half its present
number. and domestic violence was not
apprehended. One man to IA square
miles OF territory, or one man to $500 OF
population, is surely very small guard
to protect property and prevent viols-
ton of law. leaving out OF consideration
the force necessary to guard the extend
cd sea coast against sudden attack by a
foreign enemy.
than once in the last summer an infuri-
atsd mob in q single city was twice as
formidable in number and capable of
doing vastly greater injury to life and
property as the most formidable COM
confronted the army in this country. In
few words, tho 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 called upon to meet.
The effective strength of the army
ahould be considerably increased. This
can be done at very email compare
tive increase in cost. The present reg
mental organization need not be largely
increased. Two additional regiments OF
artillery for the necessary eeacoest de-
Tense; two additional regiments OF cav>
airy to patrol the long lines OF railroad
under government protection, and the
% regiments OF infantry converted into
three battalion organizations, would. it
is believed, be just and conservative
estimate OF what ia now actually need
ed. For this the existing number of
commissioned officers is nearly Ruffi-
cient. But a considerable permanent
increase in the enlisted strength OF the
army should be made, and q still fur
Their increase authorized to be made by
the president, when, in his judgment.
an emergency requiring it may reasona-
bly, be foreseen. 1t 10 not good mill
tary system in which the executive has
no authority whatever to increase the
effective strength of the army in time OF
need, but must await the slow process OF
legislation in the matter.
Wise forethought in apparent antici-
patton of such conditions as thoBe
which have confronted the government
during the last year, dictated several