The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1897-10-03
.llII51i{3

What l nave seen does not indicate
that the millennium is at hand, when
swords will be beaten into ploughsnares
There never was another time in the
history Of the world when such energy
ingenuity and wealth have been devoted
to war purposes. The resources and in
dustries OF many peoples are largely de-
voted to maintaining large standing ar
mics and formidable navies. Fortuna to
are the people of the United States that
they are walled in by two great oceans,
yet this fact would not warrant them in
any policy other than keeping a reason
able percentage of the population fully
equipped and instructed in modern ap-
planes and methods Of war
RUSSIA AND HER ARMY.
at 50 happened that important events
occurring in Europe this year have con-
triouted - my opportunity for observa-
ton, giving me thee hance to see the
best Of the armies Of all the great
powers. The celebration of Queen Vic
toria's so year reign brought together
$4,000 OF her army and 50. 900 men of her
navy. The field manuevers OF Russia
were conducted On a large scale and
were exceedingly interesting Russia for
hundreds Of years has been a great mil
itary nation. Her people have been ac-
customej TO war and her population is
Sd enormous and she is So located geo.
graphically as to De practically indie
pendent Of the other powers of the
world. Though her government has been
autoCratic and her people far behind the
age in eniightment, only per cent Of
the population being able 10 read, the
rays Of intellectual enlightenment are
penetrating the vast region and there
is great future for Russia.
The Russian army is composed Of
strong hardy men and its officers are
highly educated ana Skilled officials.
THE GERMAN CAMP.
Germany is one vast military camp.
1t is geographically in SUCH a position
that ii is compelled 70 maintain a great
military force. Or one side is Austria,
that they have overrun, and France,
that has been conquered and part OF
her territory taken away by fighting her
when she was a. great disadvantage.
On the other side stands the great Rus
sian bear and between these two Ger
many finds il necessary keep her paw
der dry. The German army is kept I'M
der rigid discipline. is well drilled,
makes the finest a earance on parade,
hut its fighting qualities are no better
than the English, Russian or French
armies.
FINELY DRILLED FRENCH
Of
near ST. Quentin. The French army is
not spectacular in appe arance. yet it has
a s0lidity and earnestness or purpose
which indicate that il Is we'll equipped
for war. lis uniforms are not 50 hand
some as those OF the German army.
There are 10000 we'll equipped, we'll dis
ciplined troops and the review by the
president was one Of the finest displays
/ have ever witnessed. The army Of TO-
GEO passed the reviewing stand in a lit
tie more than two hours time and the
entire body Of cavalry, 10000 strong,
charged across the field in one solid
the president in almost perfect line and
splendid order"
The correspondent suggested that Eu-
ropean military men held that officers
of the United States army were at a
disadvantage in being without oppor-
tunities to drill in large armies.
REAL WAR VS.. PLAY WAR
Yet, great field maneuvers simply
stimulate war" was the comment Of
General Miles. The Hamburg maneu-
vers were practically great drill. They
=
OF war except war. There are hundreds.
if not thousands, OF men IN the United
States who have been engaged in the
same maneuvers with brisades. divisions
corps or armies in practical drill
nearly every day for four years and at
the same time have been in more des-
perate, hard fought battles than any
men in Europe. Still. field maneuvers
are useful and accustom men II see and
II command large bodies Of troops and
teach bodies Of soldiers TO move TO-
gather.'
THE AMERICAN STRENGTH.
The question as 10 whether the United
States under lis present military poll
cy would be able 70 cope with a Euro
pean power, General Miles replied:
In our population. il Is estimated,
one man our of five is capable II bear
ing arms. That would give US an army
II I2.0ao.O 600 Our people are strong
physically ana generally inteiligen; and
We'll informed. Besides that, each CI;i-
zen is sovereign and personally in
te~es,ed in the welfare Of his govern
ment and serves voluntarily without
to- ny military
despotism. We have many thousands Of
men still living who have seen more
var and participated IN more battles
than any men in Europe. But il - an
other thing 70 aquip an army with mod
err appliances for the defense 0f a coast
where We would have % use hish-poSer
guns and modern projectiles which it
takes years 10 construct, While small
arms are not - be made in few days
or weeks. Modern rifles are different
from The squirrel guns With which our
Revalu ,ionary fathers went - Mar. The
range Of modern arms Is very grea;
ana proiactiles weigh 700 pounds. 10
ION. % steel. The rapidly OF he rapid
machine guns. the Maxim ana eating.
i 500 :, 500 shots minute Although
these are American inventions ;Aey are
largely used in the European service.
REVENGE OF THE BELLRINGS
Hanged n. Fnemy's Little Caud and
Then Jumped Into the Canal
Antwerp Ocr. 2.-This city Is greatly
stirred up by the solution % mystery
which for some months past has bsf-
Azd sAe police ana people. \ oeil-rinse-
OF ST. Psul's church. named Nuyens.
vowed vengeance agains; man named