The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1894-10-12
ARMY is TOO SMALL.
Major General SchOfield Makes
His Annual Report.
Army is Not Large Enough to
Protect Our Interests.
FOUR MORE REGIMENTS
Two Of Artillery, Two Cavalry
Needed He Says.

eral SchofieId has made to the secre-
tary Of war his report on the opera
tions of the army during the past
year. General Schofield, who has
been at the head Of the army since
the death of General Sheridan. an
nounces his retirement next year.
The report is principally devoted to
discussion of the necessity of strength
ening the military arm of the gov
eminent to cope with international
disorder as we'll as possible danger
without, particular reference being
made to the De bs strike
During a large part Of the year. the
report says, the army has been en-
ployed 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 the
United States officers and open de-
fance of national authority These
disorders, at first local in their char
acter, spread at length to about one
half in number and twO-thirds in
area of all the states and territories,
including Alaska. So widespread
and formidable an insurrectiOn called
for the vigorous action dictated by
the president
The prompt ana vigorous acJlOn OF
the troops in all cases and the great
fOrbearance manifested by them when
subjected to all sorts of insults and
ind entities, designed to provoke re-
taliation. were worthy of the very
highest CONNIE ndatiOn-
1t would seem unnecessary to point
out the fact that any force like the
militia of a state, or the police of a
city, act ng under another authority,
though highly efficient in their APP
propriate service, cannot be made 4
reliable instrument for the prompt
and effective execution of the laws Of
the Unite1 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 pro
vision not only for defense against
any possible foreign aggression, but
violence in the form Of forcible resis-
lance to the laws of the United States
1t is certainly manifest that the
present condition of the coun try, with
a population of nearly 70, O0J, 600 I'M
der 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 pop
ulatiOn of the country was less than
half its present amount and domestic
violence was not apprehended- One
man to fourteen square miles of ter
ritory, or one man to 2, 500 of popula-
ton. is surely a very small guard to
protect property and prevent viola
ton of law. leaving out of cOnsidera-
ton the force necessary to guard the
extended sea coast against sudden
attack by a foreign enemy 1t is also
worthy of remark that more than
once in the last summer an infuriated
mob in single city was twice as for
midable in mum Der and capa BILE of do
ing vastly greater injury to life and
property as the most formidable COM
bination of Indian warriors that ever
confronted the army in this country.
The army has been required recently
to deal with an army far more num-
erous and dangerous to the country
than any savage enemy which it has
here tOfore been called upon to meet
The effective strength OF the army
should be cOnside rably increased
This can be done at a very small In
crease in cost The present reg
mental organizations need not be
largely increased. Two additional
regiments of artillery for the nee
essary sea coast defense; two addi-
tiOnal regimen ts of cavalry to patrol
the long lines of railroad, under gov
eminent protection, and the prese ut
"
converted into three battalion organ
izations, would. it is believed. be a
just, conservat tive estimate of what is
now actually needed
In respect to military necessities
which may possibly arise out of con
fict with foreign powers it has for
many years seemed impossible to i'm
press upon the people of the United
States in general. the view enter
tanned by all thoughtful military stu
dents However humiliating 1t may
be to tn confident self-esteem 1t is
nevertheless a simple duty to point to
the great N litary lesson which Is now
beng taught to the entire world
The most pOpulOus and one of the
most wealthy nations of the earth Is
subjected to extreme humiliation and
disgrace, to result possibly in the
overthrow of dynasty at the hands
of a little nation of One-te nth Of its
population and about QUE tenth its
territorial area And why is this? lit
is not because that great people are
lacking in talent or general education
or courage, but because they have
failed to develop their military
strength and resources IN disciplined
troops. in arms and equipments Of all
kinds. in Efficient ships of war and II
general military preparation and edu-
cation. they are Tar behind the enter
prising little mil tary nation that Is
now teaching them and the world this
tremendous lesson
The relation Of the United States
to the great military powers OF Eu-
rope now exhibits a far greater dis
parity in respect to pre- para tions for
war than that which has existed be
tween China and Japan Will the
people Of the United States and theil