The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-12-24
a LARGE ARMY NOT NEEDED.

1t lis at last beginning to dawn upon
even good administration organs that the
demands OF the war department for a reg
ular army OF 100000 men are excessive.
Some papers, Tho Post among the first,
have all ALONG commended that not only
would large standing army be a menace
to the country Itself. but that 1t was
wholly uncalled for, even 10 meet the new
conditions in witch We find ourselves.
Commenting on the statement OF the
American evacuation commissioners IN
Cuba that an army of occupation of $4,000
men would be needed. the Chicago Times
Herald. the steadfast friend OF Mr.. Mo-
Kinley, says
For nn answereit may be said that Amer
change in Cuban affairs that Will make this
Spanish precedente yolueless. The grea
Spanish army was summoned by rebellion
for the Spanish name. The Spanish arm,
was honeysombed aud palslsd by Official cor cor
ruption. The misrule aud corruption vii
both disappear With the Spaniaids. and there
/ will BIO profoundest respect instead OF con
| tempt for the new authority. In this the OK.
soldiers of Spain and Cuba will share ant
| in their case the respect viii be reinforced BY
wholesome fear taught out OF their recen
! experience.
so great. the law and Its administration undel
them will be 40 just. that we may hope tina
when Spanish ofacialdom is banished gu,
soIdery will hardly be called upon to see any
service beyond n sort OF police duty.
1t has been assumed by the war depart
nemt that we will require $4,000 men fol
Cuba, $4,000 for the Philippines, 5000 fol
Porto Rico and at least 10000 at home
But IL we should need such forces abroad
their service would be but temporary, i
we propose TO tneat our new possession,
justly and give them local solf-govern'
ment. The Immediate wants OF the gov.
ernment should not be made tfhe basil
for permanent increase OF tho army. II
utilize our 900 regulars and some 25. 00t
volunteers for six months longer ought t.
meet the new conditions perfectly.
We challenge, as the Times-Harald does
The proposition that $4,000 soldiers to
Cuba, $4,000 for the Philippines and 900
for Porto Rico will be demanded. unles
we intend to inaugurate policies that will
provoke open rebellion against our au
,hority. II this be the purpose of the gov
eminent the figures mentioned are alto
gether too small, but we can not beliey
THAT subj policy Is contemplated.
The fundamental error that the advoca o
of a large army are making now, however
is In pyedicating a permanent establish
ment upon conditions that arc necessarily
temporary IN their duration. because W
need $4,000 men now Is no reason for say
ing ,hst We shall need them permauentl
and commanding this great republic t
militar!sm.
Potent objection to this great America
army. that does not apply elsewhere.
the unusual ana eXtravagnnt cost 10 U
OF maintaining our soldiers. We elect I
: pay two or three times as much per soldis
as foreign governments pay. General Cor
bin calculates the cost at $1,000 per ma
annually. Tlss figure would paraly'
Germany, or Russia. or even England.
e the Chiosgo paper says "the American tax
: payer will be inclined to lot Cuba"--an
:. II could add tho Philsppines--"take care I
0 herself, " this Ia tho sum that he mu
3 pay annually for her little caprices!"