The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1894-10-12
SOLDIERS OF UNCLE SAN.
M3i. Gen. SChOfield Advocates an In
crease in the Army.

The Present Force Considered made
quate to Cope With the Labor Riots
With Which the Country is Threat
ened From Time to Time-Two Add
tional Regiments of Artillery and Two
More Regiments Of Cavalry Needed at
Once.
Washington, Oct. 11.-Maj.-Ge Scho-
field. general of the 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 Gen.
SChodeld who has been at the head of
the army since the death of Gen. Sheri-
dan. announces his retirement next wear
and from the fact that it is principally
devoted to a discussion of the necessity
for strengthening the military arm of
the government to cope with internal dis
order, as well as possible danger from
without particular reference being made
TO the Debs- strike. Gen Schofeld is a
politician as well as a soldier, and at
considerable length he discusses this sub
ject from a political as well as from a
military point of view He says the
prompt and vigorous action of the troops
in all cases and the great forbearance
manifested by them when subjected to
signed to provoke retaliation were
worthy of the very highest commenda-
ton. They illustrate in the most strik-
ing manner the great value to a govern
ment of a well disciplined force at all
times subject to the orders of that gov
eminent for the enforcement of the faith
full execution of its laws
1t would seem 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 appropri-
ate service, cannot be made a reliable in
strument for the prompt and effective
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 officers
necessary for the same purpose.
The country, is now Cor the first time,
squarely confronted with the necessity of
making adequate provision, not only for
the 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 these means
of defense requires consideration of the
vast extent of the United States terri
tory, and the great amount of property,
widely dispersed throughout this territory,
either belonging to the United States, or
lection of the national government. When
these facts are duly considered, it be-
comes manifest that the present strength
of the army is not adequate to the per
Torrance of the service which may at any
time be required.
It is certainly manifest that the present
condition of the country with a popula-
ton 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 of the country was
less than haH it's present amount and do
nestle violence was not apprehended. 1t
is also worthy of remark that only last
summer there was an Infatuated mob in
q single city twice az ormidable in num-
bers and capable of doing vastly greater
injury to life and property than the most
formidable combination of Indian war
riors that ever confronted the army in
this country. In other words the array has
recently been required to deal with an
enemy 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
should be considerably increased. This
can be done at a very small comparative
increase in cost The present regimental
organizations need not be largely in
creased. Two additional regiments of ar
ullery for the necessary sea coast de-
Tense; two additional regiments of cav
airy to patrol the long lines of railroad
under government protection, and the
present twenty-five regiments of infantry,
converted into three battalion organiZa-
lions would, it is believed, be just, con-
sentative estimate of what is now act
ually needed. For this, the existing num-
Der of commissioned officers is nearly suf-
ficient. But a considerable permanent in
crease in the enlisted strength of the army
should be made, and a still further in
crease authorized to be made by the
President when, in his judgment, an emer-
gency requiring it may reasonably be fore
seen.