The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1894-10-19
OUR ARM Y.
Suppress Home Troubies-Lesson of the
Debs strike-Interest i'm Military Educa-


Schofield has made to the secretary OF
war his report on the operations of the
army during the past year. Gen. Scho.
field announces his retirement next
year. The report is principally de-
voted to discussion of the necessity
for strengthening the military arm of
the government to cope with interna-
tional disorder as well rs possible
danger from within, particular refer
ence being made to the Debs strike.
The report says:
During large part OF the year the army has
been employed 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 United States off,
GERS and open defiance of national authority.
These disorders, at first local in their charac-
ter. spread at length to about ole-half in num-
Der and two-thirds in area Of all the states and
territories. excluding Alaska. so widespread
and formidable an insurrection called for the
vigorous action dictated by the president At
the city Of Chicago resistance to law assumed
such formidable proportions that ii was nee
eSsary to concentrate at that place nearly all
the army forces that could be made available
from all parts Of the country. while on the Pa
cific coast the navy department placed at the
disposal OF the department commander the ma
val and marine forces at the Mare Island navy
yard and those forces rendered valuable serv-
ices. The responsible duties thus developed
upon the army department commanders were
performed by them and the troops under their
command in the most satisfactory manner
The instruction was promptly suppressed
without any unnecessary sacrifice of life in
any case.
The prompt and vigorous action Of the troops
in all cases and the great fo-bearance mani
Tested by them when subjected TO all sorts OF
insults and indignitieS. designed to provoke
retaliation. were worthy Of the very highest
commentator. II illustrated in the most
striking manner the value to a government
of a well disciplined force at all times subject
to orders Of that government for the enforce
ment of the faithful execution Of its laws. Il
would seem unnecessary to point on; the fact
that any force like the militia OF state. or the
police "a city. acting primarily under another
authority. though highly efficient in their ap-
prOpriate service. cannot be made a reliable
instrument for the prompt and effective eXecu-
tion of the laws of the United States. Mani
feStly every government should have an ade-
quate force of its own for the execution OF is
own laws. no less tEan the judicial executive
officers necessary FOR the same purpose.
The country is now for the first time Souarely
confronted with the necessity OF making ade-
quate 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. \ Just estimate of those means Of de-
Tense required 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 as to be under the pro
lection 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 he Al any time required
1t is certainly manifest that the present con-
dition OF the country. with population OF
nearly 1Oo0.0)0. under ;le 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 OF the country less than
half its present amount and domestic violence
was not unprecedented. one man TO Il square
miles of territory. or one man TO 2,s11 popula-
tion. Is surely very small guard 20 protect /
property and prevent violation OF law. leaving
out of consideration the force necessary 70
guard the extended sea coast against sudden |
attack by foreign enemy.
1t Is also worthy of remark tina: more than /
once during the last summer an Infatuated mob |
in a single city was twice rs formidable IN num- |
Der and capable OF dong lastly greatec in |
jury 10 life and property as the most forrliG- |
able combination of Indian warriors that ever /
confronted the army in this country. In few 1
words. the army has been recently required 10 /
deal with an army far mere numerous and /!
dangerous to the country than any savage /
enemy which il has heretofore been called upon |
to meet. The effective strength Of the army |
should he considerably increased.
In respect to the military necessities which |
may possibly arise out of conflict with foreign 1
powers il has for many years seemed iTpo>Si |
bic to impress upon the people of the United /
States in general the view entertained nv all /
thoughtful military students. This impoSsi- |
bility appears to have resulted very LARGELY |
from the national Seif-e>teem which grew out /
of the results of the great domestic conflict 4
through which the country passed in the |
period from 1851 to lSi5. The condition /
OF the public mind since that time mas been /
that of confident invincibility against any pos
Siblc foreign attack. However hUmiliating il 1
may be TO this confident Self-eSteem. il * new 1
crthelcSs simple duty TO point to the great |
military lesson which is now being laugh: 10 the |
entire world. The most populouS and one Of the /
most wealthy of all the nations OF the earth IS |
to extreme humiliation and disgrace. /
and to result possibly in the overthrow OF
a dynasty, at the hands Of 4 little nation of /
of its population and about one
tenth of its territorial area. The time has /
fully come when the people Of the United |
States should dismiss the over-eoandence born
Of past experience and look the future squarely |
in the face. Tho most liberal appropriations
for this purpose will be the wiSest economy.
In this. The last annual report which expect [
to be called upon TO write. deem it my duty 10
make last and more emphatic presentation u
nv fellow citizens and 20 their government Of
what consider requisite to place their mill
tary establishment in all respects OF 4 footing
with the interests dignity and
honor of n great nation
Concerning military education Gen.
Schofield says:
The constantly increasing interest in military
education is manifested by an increased'demand
lpon the army for officers for duty al colleges,
universities and other institutions Of learning
throughout the country. Another gratifying
feature is the awakened interest in tie policy
many years ago by which mill
AIRY education shall be extended 10 the pub
ic schools that Z very large number Of
-oung men who may not aspire perhaps
II the start to commissions in 4 volun-
Ger army will be well qualified for
he position of non-commissioned officers
md hence for the molding of a volunteer
Gree into a reliable army II the shortest posi-
,!e time. II is believed that no better employ
nent can be given to the officers OF the regular
Irmy in time of peace than in this wide dis
emination of elementary military education,
ma if any justification be thought necessary
or some increase in the aggregate number Of
officers, il is fully supplied by
this demand for such important service.
Denver Ed smith Talks.
DENVER Col Oct I2-"DanVe Ed