The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-08-10
Relative Military Strength.


more liberal in their views upon the
subject of standing army. but we have
not reached the point when We can
contemplate with equanimity a force
greater than 10000 men. In McClures
Magazine for July MIR. F. n. Hewes
attempts TO figure what should be the
exact fighting strength of the United
States as compared with that of every
other first-class power. Applying the
purely numerical test and taking the
German army standard, which amounts
to per cent. Of Germany's total popu-
lation. he finds that on that basis Rus
STA would stand first in fighting
strength, with an army of 500, 600 men,
while the United States would stand
second. with an army of 1900, 600 men.
Upon the same ratio Of army to popula-
ton, the order of the other powers
would be Germany, England. Austria
France and Spain, England's total en-
rollment being only $500, 900.
The writer takes the very correct
view that what Is of at least equal inn
pOrtance is the ability Of nation by It's
wealth TO equip and maintain its troops
Judged in that way. the United States
with an equivalent in armament and
superior equipment raised from 6, 500 900
70 tnI- Mo ha
comes 1000, 900 ahead Of her closest COM
petitor. Russia ranking second. Eng
lands 3.S00 900 raw recruits become by
the same method of calculation equal
to 13.2ooo0o. ard 1t takes third place in
the order OF efficiency
Mr.. Hewes then measures these posi-
BILE armies by their relative intelligence
skill and efficiency In organization
Modified by this comparison. the fight
ing strength of the United States would
be greater than England's in the pro-
portion of So to %; greater than Ger
many's in the proportion of So to is. and
greater than that of any other of the
powers in still larger proportions.
While much OF this is speculative
greater Importance may be attached
to the relative strength Of the several
countries in the extent of their resources
IN agricultural, mineral and manufact
ured products. aud their ability to bear
the cost OF war. Taking figures only.
the United States and England lead the
world. Ii does not take much calcula-
ton to show what a magnificent force
these two countries could present What
one lacks the other possesses in such
degree that neither has much advantage
over the other. The object OF the writer
is 10 show the benefits Of an alliance
between the countries. and he calculates
shat their war potentiar' would figure
out AGAINST the war potential" OF the
six leading European nations combined
We must not be deluded into the be
lief. however that We may safely pro
woke those six powers, even with the
To prepare such a force by drilling.
equipment and mobilization would take
a long time. Neither Great Britain nor
the United states is prepared 10 place
such 81 burden upon its people. for it
would withdraw an immense motive
power from the machinery Of commerce.
An equal number of men could be much
better spared by Russia and Germany.
because the people represent per capita
a much smaller wealth While we cal
culate our present wealth as a basis for
these conclusions. the withdrawal Of
such a number from the industries
would represent q vastly greater loss
4 wealth than to either Germany. Rus
Sia or France.