The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1894-10-17
AMERICAS ARMY.
General Sch, fl I'D Recommends that 1t be
Increased.

Increased.
WASHINGTON, o.. i1.-Maj. Gen
Schofeld, General of the Army, has
made to the Secretary CT 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 sisce
the death of Gen. Sheridan, announces
bis retirement next year, and from the
fact that it is principally devoted to
discussion of the necessity for strength
eniDg the military arm CT the govern
ment to cope with international disor'
der as well as possible danger from
without, particular reference being
made to the Dsbs strike. Gen. Schofelc
is politician az 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
beararce manifested by them when
subjected to all sorts oflnsults and In
dignities designed to provoke retalia'
tlou. were worthy Of the very highest
commendatioD. They illustrate In the
most striking manner the great value
TO government of a well disciplined
force at all times subject to the orders
Gf that government for the enforce.
ment of the faithful execution of Us
laws.
1t would seem unnecessary to point
out the fact that any force like the
militia of Stste or the police OF a
city, actlDg primarily under authority,
though highly Efficient in their appro-
pliate service, cannot be made rella.
ble instrument for the prompt and ef-
fective execution of ths laws Of the
United States. Manifestly every gov
eminent should have an adequate force
Of its own for the execution OF its own
laws, no less than the judicial and exc.
cuclve officers necessary for the same
purpose.
The country Is now for the first the
squarely contrcnted with the necessity
or making adequate provisions, not
only for the defense against any posi-
bic foreign aggression, but also for de-
fense against domestic violence in the
form of forcrole resistance to the laws
of the United States. A just estimate
OF these means of defense equires con-
sideration CT the vast eXteGt of the
United States territory and the great
amount OF property, widely dispersed
throughout this territory. either be-
longing to the United States OF 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 8
population OF nearly 10000 600, under
toe danger of disorder now known to
exist, cannot be met by the same force
that was deemed adequate twenty -6Ve
years ago when the populatlon.of the
couc5fy was less than half It's presels
amount and domestic violence was not
apnrehended. 1t is also worthy OF re.
mark that more than once last summer
an iufuriated mob twice as formidable
in numbers aud capable Of doing vast
ly greater injury to life and property
than the most formidable combination
of Indian warriors that ever confront
ed the srmv ia this country, was RAM
pant in city in this country. In other
words, the army has recently been re-
Qpired 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 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 govefnme ment pro-
lection and the present twenty-five reg
iments of infantry converted into three
battalion organic alton, would, IL Is BE-
lieved, be just, conservative estimate
of what is now actually needed. For
this the existing number of command
officers is nearly sufficient. Bat q con-
siderable permanent. increase ln the
enlisted strength of the army should be
made and still further increase au-
thorlz9d to be made by the President,
when, in his judgment, an emergency
requiring it, may reasonably be fore
seen.