The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-12-14
NEEDS OF THE ARMY.
officers Questioned by Members of the
House Military Committee.

House Military Committee.
WASHINGTON, Dec. u. - The adjutant
generals Office of the War Department was
we'll represented to-day at the hearing be-
fore the House committee on military affairs
relative to the proposed increase of the
army. Adjutant General Corbin was ex-
pected to open the hearing but was detained
at the department His office was repre-
scented. however, by officers from the several
main branches of the army-namely, Brig
adler General Schwan, Major Hestand, Ma
jor Simpson and Major Johnston. General
Schwan detailed at length the organization
of the army under the plan proposed in the
Hull bill, which has the Endorsement of the
secretary of war The total strength of
officers would be 3271; total strength of en-
listed men, &c. 1877; grand total of officers and
men, 100,51S.
When Mr.. Sulzer asked how many SOL
diers were required to maintain peace and
order in Cuba until the Cuban republic
is proclaimed General Schwan declined to
give an opinion. A similar response was
made on an inquiry as to the Philippines
The questions brought out some differences
between members Of the committee. Chair
man Hull said this was not the trial of a
case and the officer was not on the wit
ness stand. Mr.. Sulzer insisted, however,
that it was essential for the information of
the American people that the officers APP
pearing should state how many men were
required at home and abroad.
Proceeding, Mr.. Sulzer asked: General
what would you propose as means of
stopping the friction between the command
ing general and the adjutant general of the
arny?"
General Schwan said he could not answer
and there was chorus of vigorous protests
from members of the committee, and the
question was ruled out.
Mr.. Cox questioned General Schwan as 10
what use would be made of our soldiers in
Cuba. The general said it would be to main
tain peace and order there. Mr.. Cox insisted
it was to maintain this order over the Gu
bans, as the Spaniards had withdrawn
General Schwan declined to accent this in
depreciation. saying the army in Cuba was
to maintain order against all alike.
Major Johnston next explained the cav
airy FEATURES OF the proposed reorganization.
lie emphasized the need of organizing the
cavalry in times. of peace as it was i'm
possible to properly equip and train cavalry
at time of emergency.
Mr.. Cox sharply questioned Major John
ston as to the relative merits of volunteers
and regulars and argued the volunteers
were the best fighters, as shown by the ex-
perience of the civil war and the recent
Spanish war. Major Johnston said he had
no criticism for the volunteers, although he
maintained that military tfa.ning was an i'm
portant element in the fighting ability of
the soldier.
Maj. w. A. Simpson followed on the ar
tillery branch of the proposed reorganiza-
tion;, He urged the battery as the limit OF
artillery organization in preference to the
regiment Major Simpson, who served un-
der General Merritt at Manila, was asked by
Mr.. Hay as to what cooperation might be
expected from the Filipinos. He said opin-
ion differed as to this among the United
States officers in the Philippines. Most of
the FiIipinos seemed to be ready to cooper
ate with the American forces, but some of
them. pulled up by authority, might not be
so ready to aid the Americans. A strong
force of United States troops, about 10000
would be most effective, he said not only
for service, but mainly for the moral effect
The hearing will be continued tomorrow