Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1897-03-19
TO MOBILIZE THE MILITIA.
Stupendous Under akiug In Connection
with the Transm lssissippi Ex-
position.

OMAHA, MArCn lo'--h hap ~ WIZ
city who has had considerable expert
ence in militia matters has made
suggestion regarding the mobilization
OF the militia of the United States In
connection with the Transmiasippi
Exposition worthy OF serious consider
alton. In brief, this plan contemplates
assemblint the militia Of the several
states OF the union In one grand school
Of instructions, such ns has not been az
forded the state troops eince the late
unpleasantness. This idea, in Itself,
is not new one. the game pisn nav.
ing formed the subisct of many dis.
cuesions In gatherings OF military
men and having been exploited in
magazine articles by military writers;
but the opportunity offered by the ex-
position presents an occasion more
favorable for the practical execution OF
the plan than has occurred since the
idea was first advanced,
1t 10 well Known TO all who are
familiar with militia matters that each
state of the union has force OF
soldiers armed and organized under
the direction of tho state. These state
troops hold encampments each year,
or once In two years, the state paying
the expenses in connection with such
encampments. The plan under con.
sideration involves the masslng OF
such troops in the vicinity Of Omaha
during the summer OF 1888 ior the
purpose of holding school OF instruc-
ton and tfoldlng the troops the OppOr-
tunity OF actual experience in the
strategy OF warfare anu the movements
OF large bouies Of troop. The magni-
tute OF this plan is not apparent to the
laynIaD at the frat glance; but when II
Ia considered that the uniformed citi.
zen soldiery Of The states Il the Union
number nearly 100000, the idea grows
until II assumes mammoth proper.
tions. The idea alsO inclu les tho as.
sempling OF several regiments of
United States troops of all arms, in
Guiding Infantry, cavalry, light and
heavy artillery and engineering corps.
In wort, 1t would mean the as
ssmbliug at Omshs OF an army OF no
mean proportions and would be one Of
the grandeet military events in the
history Of this country.
1t IL believed that every state In the
Union could be depended upon TO send
it's troops to this encampment for the
sake OF the vantage to be derived
from such an experience. The ex.
pense involved would be little, II any,
more than tho usual expense attached
to the regular state encampments, and
the superior advantages offered by
summer campaign approaching as
nearly as may bs the experiences OF
actual welfare would be OF incalcula-
bic value to all the troops.
The plan suggested c0ntemplates
having the entire affair under the
direction OF officers OF the regular
army. To do this 1t would be neces.
nary to secure the corporation OF the
secretary OF war, but as several former
BeoretAries OF war have advocated very
warmly the idea Of fostering the state
militia In order to form 3 well drilled
and experienced nucleus around
which might be thrown the 10000
Of able bodied citizens Of this great
Republic who arc available for mill.
tsry duty, 1t Is not Anticipated that
there would be any great difficulty In
securing the active ana hearty CO.
operation Of the government In such
movement.
With army officers skilled In the art
OF war In command OF the forces, the
opportunity offered for actual expert.
tEcc III hGlu ah-
bounded. Omaha Is a typical inland
city and the rolling prairies surEound-
ing the city on three sldes would
afford q field Of action for the troops
which would give emple opportunity
for the display OF strategic ability. A
general plan OF sclion. including the
besieging and defending OF the city.
would allow OF movements OF troops
covering the entire range OF problems
In the science OF war. For strategic
purposes the cities OF Omaha and
Council Bluffs might BIO regarded as
single city, anu the broad Missouri,
flowing through the center OF this
great city, would open another Held
for strategic movements which would
exercise the skill and ingenuity OF the
most learned oflioers,
An army Of 100000 men could be
divided into forces OF attack and de-
Tense, which would give large force
on either side. Batteries OF heavy
artillery to be provided by the Federal
government could be intrenohed
upon the bluffs commanding the
river and the surrounding country,
and ample opportunity for the location
OF siege guns would he afforded by the
high ridges surrounding the city.
There are plenty OF commanding emf
nences upon which iorts might be
yrected. AMI. in TACT. The operations OF