The times., 1898-05-29

of our present experience. We've got to
have a bigger army, bigger navy, and
better coast defenses. The National
Guard must be reorganiZed, and have ali
necessary equipments-arms, accoutre-
ments. unIforms-ev thing in readiness
to move at a moments notice. In other
words, our Army must be brought up to
the needs of the country. We have 1000
miles of sea coast that need to be pro-
tected. And for this purpose we should
have a reserve of heavy artillery. We
need not keep 100 men regularly at the
battery, but have fancy company
to run down and drill occasionally
which would be as good as if they were
in the service the whole year. Our Ma
tional Guard should certainly have an
eye to coast defenses. Besides, it would
be a good thing to have some heavy artil-
lery on shore.
1--WE have 5000 600 or 5000, 900 of citizens
who can carry arms. so that we do not
need a large standing army. But we
should eliminate Section of my bill
which has no business there, and pro-
vide for an army of $4,000 men in time
of peace. with the exception of an in
crease in the heavy artillery as the coast
defenses progress.
"A properly organized militia in the
several States will furnish plenty of sol
diers on short notice for the infantry and
cavalry arms of the service.
Il want to make the three-battalion
organization OF our infantry permanent
part of our military system and let II ex-
pand in time of war. would not in
crease the number OF regiments of the
Regular Army, but have all volunteer
regiments conform to Regular Army or
ganization Then there would be no con-
fusion in the Army In time of war.
nd mis- wa 1orr
suffered by reason of insufficient coast
defenses might have been prevented by
little attention to this matter But we
shall understand our duty better hereaf-
ter, and make provisions for all these
things. This war has opened our eyes in
many directions. and win prove a valuable
lesson"
Another veteran in Congress IS Capt
John A. T. Hull, of Iowa. chairman of
the House Committee on Military Affairs.
Mr.. HUH suggests another line In which
changes Will be made in the near future
THE law requires that the Army shall
be reduced to 26, 6l0 men on the conclusion
of hostilitefs." said Mr.. Hull. II think
that 1t ought to be kept 10 at least 10000.
which chould enable the infantry regi-
ment TO maintain the three-battalion or
ganization all the time.
THE Regular Army ought 20 be a
model organization for all States TO fol-
low. as It always makes confusion to
have one organization for peace and an
other for war, and is. besides bad public
policy. I had to do the best could with
the bill recently enacted into law.
Il am going TO try 10 bring this about.
The trouble is. the very minute we have
peace Congress loses all interest In
army matters. Gems Grant, Sherman,
Sheridan and SchofeId have recommends
ed these changes in their reports and !
shall try TO see that their recommends
tions are adopted at as early day as
possible"
II viii thus be seen that the prevailing
sentiment in Army circles as well as in
Congress is in favor Of a complete
change in our military system. Just how
far our lawmakers win go cannot be
stated but one thing is certain: AS soon
as our boys IN blue get through with
Blanco. and Moro Castle becomes a
memory, steps will be taken to bring
about a thorough reorganization of the
military arm OF the service, so that here
after Uncle Sam will have q modern sys-
TEN, perfect in preparation, complete in
equipment and composed of the best kind
of soldiers-the cream of creation.
FRANCIS LEON CHRISMAN.