The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1894-10-17
AMERICAS ARMY.
General sche a I'D Recommends that IL be
lnoreased,


Sche6eld, General of the Army, has
made to the Secretary of War his re.
port on the operations Of the army
during the past year. The report is OF
peculiar interest both on account of
the fact In it that Gen. Schofeld, who
has been at the head of the army since
the death of Gen. Sheridan, announces
his retirement next year, and from the
fact that it is principally devoted to a
discussion of the necessity for strength.
eniDg the military arm OF the govern
ment to cope with international disor-
der as well as possible danger from
without, particular reference being
made to the Debs strike. Gen. Schofield
is politician as we'll as soldier and
at considerable length he discusses this
subject from 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 for.
bearance manifested by them when
subjected to all sorts of insults and in
dignities designed to provoke retalia-
tiou, were worthy Of the very highest
commentator. They illustrate In the
most striking manner the great value
to a government Of well disciplined
force at all times subject to the orders
of that government for the enforce
ment of the faithful execution of Its
laws.
It would seem unnecessary to point
out the fact that any force like the
militia of State or the police Of q
city, acting primarily under authority,
though highly efficient In their appro-
pirate service, cannot be made relia.
BILE instrument for the prompt and ef-
fective execution of the laws Of the
United States. Manifestly every gov
ernment should have an adequate force
of its own for the execution Of Its own
laws, no less than the judicial and exc.
cutive officers necessary for the same
purpose.
The country Is now for the first time
squarely confronted with the necessity
or making adequate provisions, not
only for the defense against any posst-
BILE foreign aggression, but also for de-
feDse 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 con-
sideratiou of the vast extent of the
United States territory and the great
amount of property, widely dispersed
throughout this territory. either be.
longing to the United States or in such
condition. as to be under the protection
of the National government. When
these facts ale duly considered, 1t be-
comes manifest that the present
strength Of the army Is not adequate
to the performance of the service which
may at any time be required.
1t is certainly manifest that the pres
ent condition of the country with q
population OF nearly 100000, 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 its present
amount and domestic violence was not
apprehended. 1t Is also worthy OF re-.
mark that more than once last summer
an infuriated mob twice as formidable
in numbers and capable of doing vast
ly greater injury to life and property
than the most formidable combination
of Indian warriors that ever confront
ed the army in this country, was ram
pant in a city In this country. In other
words, the army has recently been re-
qnired to deal with an enemy far more
numerous and dangerous to the coun-
try than any savage enemy which 1t
has heretofore been called upon to
meet.
The effective strength Of the army
should be considerably Increased. This
can be done at q very small compare.
tive increase In cost. The present reg
mental organizations need not be
largely increased. Two additional reg
iments of artillery for the necessary
sea coast defense, two additional regi-
ments of cavalry to patrol the long
lines of railroad under government pro-
lection and the present twenty. .fiYe reg
iments of infantry converted into three
battalion organization, would, 1t Is be-
lieved, be just, conservative estimate
of what is now actually needed. For
this the existing number of command
officers is nearly sufficient. But q con-
siderable permanent increase In the
enlisted strength Of the army should be
made and still further increase au-
thorized to be made by the President
when, In his judgment, an emergency
requiring 1t, may reasonably be fore
seen.
nY,at r1,s,,o an aaa IN Cav