The Brunswick times. [volume] (Brunswick, Ga.) 188?-1900, 1897-04-18
UNCLE SANS MONEY.
TOO MUCH OF II Has BEEN SPENT
UPON THE ARMY.

The enoromus increase of late years
In the cost of all branches of this gov
eminent is getting to be serious ques-
ton with administrations and states
men of all parties There is no dispute
that we are the most extravagant ma
ton on earth. 1t is felt by all intelli-
gent, observant people that even ma
ton as rich as ours in all material re-
| sources has no "mouey to burn. " There
is arising a general conviction that our
dignity, our safety, our peace can be
maintained at much cheaper figure
than that which obtains at present, and
many minds in and out of public office
are cropping for the ways and means to
accomplish this desirable end.
The United States military establish
ment, which will cost the people $685.,
173, 358. 40 for the fiscal year ending
June 80 next, consists in round num-
bers of $500 officers and paltry 20, 900
men. With an expenditure of only $74,-
III 600 for the year ending March 81,
1895, Great Britain maintained reg
ular army numbering Z, 496 officers and
| lat 1851 men. This was exclusive of IN
dia.
A considerable force of the British
army was engaged in active operations
in Africa and elsewhere during the
year, whereas all the soldiers of the
United States were quietly lying in the
various barracks and forts throughout
the Union, eating their daily rations
without worry or harassment OF any
l. nc
the United States within $16, DAT, 600
as much to maintain an idle army of
81, 500 men as it costs England for
155, 347 men scattered all over the
world, some of whom are constantly en-
gagged in actual warfare. The pay of our
army is on a more liberal scale than
that Of the British, however, and this
nobody would have reduced, but there
are other vast sums expended in our
service, perhaps not altogether useless
ly, which would not be tolerated by the
British taxpayers, proud as they are of
their army. 1t is clear that our small
army can be maintained and fortified
and armed for much less money than
we annually pay out for those purposes.
With the army itself there is no fault to
be found
The German imperial army on
peace footing for 1885 numbered 3D.
618 officers and 562, 116 men, with 97,-
$50 horses for all purposes. Its whole
military establishment cost the empire
$112, 386, 456 for that year.
The great French military establish
ment, including the standing army of
100000 men and officers in round num-
bers and 142, 661 horses, cost the repub-
lie $3.50, 234, 900 for the year ending
March 81, 1895, which sum included
the expenses Of active operations in In
dia, Madagascar and other quarters of
the globe.
Compared with the foregoing figures,
our little military establishment ap-
pears to be an expensive luxury. There
are some unavoidable causes which
necessarily make it more expensive than
that of European nations This country
has never been niggardly with her sol
diers in peace or war. They are we'll
fed, we'll paid, well clothed and well
sheltered, and the people indorse the
utmost iberality in all these particu-
lars. With these items there is no fault
to be found. But very small proper
ton of the aggregate outlay goes to
these charges upon the public ex-
chequer, as will be found upon careful
analysis.
People are beginning to inquire if it
is necessary to expend nearly $50, O00,-
900 a year for the mere skeleton of a
military establishment now that our
Indian wars are over. What real need
is there for more regular troops than
we now have? None at all. And cannot
some permanent system be devised by
which the present moderate establish
ment can be maintained for something
like half the present expense? 1t is
wholly improbable that this ountry
will be attacked for many years to
come, and we are so isolated by distance
and intervening seas from any power
likely to prove dangerous that ample
time will be allowed for preparation
before an attack can be delivered.
In fact, it becomes more and more
apparent from year to year that this
nation does not need an army SO much
as navy If it wishes to appear strong,
to be strong before the other nations of
the world, does not everything point to
the sea rather than the land as the prop
er sphere for it's demonstration? If peace
and safety be all that we seek, is not
our true defense upon the sea? Our enor-
nous coast lines, bays, sounds, inland
J lakes and rivers and great commercial
seaports make us maritime people.
The building up of powerful navy
means the fostering Of national mer-
chant marine. 1t is almost certain that
without one we cannot have the other.
With our resources and national apti-
i tude for maritime enterprise we should
be second to nc power upon the sea.
Before the civil war Broke out we had
achieved a proud place on the ocean
with our merchant marine and were
wing with the mistress of the seas"
for the carrying trade of the whole
world By wise policy and we'll direct
cd effort there is no reason why we
Il not regain the place we lost.
York sun.
| Beer In SiphOns.
|