Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1894-10-18
ARMY STATEMENT.
Gen. Schofleld Makes His Annual
Report to the War Secretary.
He REFERS TO The DEBS STRIKE.
The Maj0r-General C0mmends the Conduct
of the Troops During the Big Strike
The Regular Army Not
Strong Enough.

WASHINGTON, Oct. 1s.-Maj. Gen.
Schofeld 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 as 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 ON
GERS and open defiance OF national authority.
These disorders, at first local in their charac-
ter, spread at length to about one-half In num-
ber and two-thirds in area Of all the states and
territories, excluding Alaslsa 50 widespread
vigorous action dictated 81 the president. At
the city OF Chicago resistllce to law assumed
such formidable proportions that It was NEG
essary to concentrate at that place nearly oil
the army forces that could be made available
from all parts OF the country while on the Pa
ciiic 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 insurrection 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 forbearance mani
tested by them when subjected to all sorts OF
insults and indignites, designed to provoke
retaliation. were worthy of the very highest
commendaton. II illustrated in the most
striking manner the value to government
Of o well disciplined force at all times, subject
to orders OF that government for the enforce
ment OF the faithful execution Of Its laws. 1t
would seem unnecessary to point out the fact
that any force like the militia Of state, or the
police OF 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
testify every government should have an ade-
Q,late force Of It's 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 ade-
Quate provision not only for defense against
any possible foreign aggression but also for
defense against domestic violence in the form
Of forcibe resistance to the laws OF the United
States A Just estimate OF those means OF de-
fense 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, 1t becomes
manifest that the present strength OF the army
is not adequate to the performance OF the
service which may be at any time required
1t is certainly manifest that the present con-
dition of the country, with population OF
nearly 700000W. 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
half It's present amount and domestic violence
was not apprehended One man to "A square
miles Of territory, or one man to $3.50 popula-
ton Is surelya very small guard to protect
property and prevent violation Of law, leaving
-. tt,n tla tn
guard the extended sea coast against sudden
attack by foreign enemy,
1t is also worthy OF remark that more than
once during the last summer an infuriated mob
in d single city was twice as formidable in num-
Der and capable Of dong vastly greater In
jury to life and property as the most formid-
able combination Of Indian warriors that ever
confronted the army in this country, In a few
words. the army has been recently required to
deal with IN army far more numerous and
dangerous to the country than any savage
enemy which II has heretofore been called upon
1 to meet. The effective strength Of the army
should be considerably increased.
1 In respect to the military necessities which
may possibly arise out Of conflict with foreign
powers it has for many years seemed impossl-
/ BILE to impress upon the people OF the United
States In general the view entertained by all
thoughtful military Students This impossi-
biity appears to have resulted very largely
from the national self-esteem which grew out
of the results of the great domestic conflict
through which the country passed in the
period from 1861 to 1875 Tae condition
Of the public mind since that time has been
that of confident invincbllity against any pos
M att m 81
may be to this confident self-esteem, IL is new
ertheless simple duty TO point to the great
military lesson which Is now being taught to the
entire world. The most populous aud one Of the
most wealthy Of all the nations Of the earth is
subjected to extreme humiliation and disgrace,
and to result possibly in the overthrow OF
a dynasty, at the hands Of a little nation OF
one-tenth 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 oyer-coniidence born
of mast experience and look the future squarely
in the face The most liberal appropriations
for this purpose will be the wsest economy.
In this. the last annual report which expect
to be called upon TO write. | deem 1t my duty to
make last and more emphatic prescntatlonto
nv fellow citizens and to their government Of
what consider requisite to place their mill
tary establishment in all respects on footing
commensurate with the interests, dignity and
honor Of great nation
Concerning military education Gen.
Schofeld says:
The constantly Increasing interest in military
education smanlfeste1 by an lhcfeaseddemand
upon the army for officers for duty at colleges
universities and other institutions Of learning
throughout the country. Another gratifying
feature Is the awakened interest in the policy
recommended many years ago by which mill
tary education shall be extended to the pub
lie schools so that very large number OF
Young men who may not aspire perhaps
AZ the star. to commissions Ia volun-
teor army will be well qualified for
the position Of non-commissioned officers,
and hence for the molding Of a volunteer
force into a reliable army IN The shortest possl-
BILE time 1t Is believed that tho better employ
ment can be given To the officers of the regular
army In time Of peace than in this vide dis
semination Of elementary militlry education,
and II any Justification be thought necessary
for some Increase 10 the aggTegi ite number Of
commissioned officers, 1t Is fully supplied by
this demand for such important service
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Bitten by Mad Dog.
MARSHALL, Mo-, Oct. le~Iiss Daisy
Bond, IS years old, Of near Marshall,