The San Francisco call., 1898-07-24

summoned by the President they walk ed on the scene 3s If they had been waiting in the wings. They were sub Jected to a physical examination as searching as that Of a life insurance company. A man was rejected for two or three filled teeth. They came from all ranks of life. Young lawyers, doc tors, bankers, well-paid clerks are marching by thousands in the ranks. The first surgeon to be killed at Guam tanamo left New York practice of $10,000 a year to volunteer. As l was standing on the steps of the Arlington Hotel one evening tall thin man, car ryfng a large suit case, walked out and got on the street car for the railway station on his way to Tampa. It was John Jacob AStor, the posSesSor of hundred millions of dollars. Theodore Roosevelt's Rough Riders contain number of the g. rteGt young men in New York society. A Harvard class mate of mine a rising young lawyer, is working like a ]abGrer at the Brook lyn Navy Yard, not knowing when he may be ordered to Cuba or Manila. He is Naval Reserve man and sent in his application for any post from the stOkehole upward" The same is true of women. When 1 called to say good by to Mrs. Jchn Addison Porter, the wife of the secretary to the President, whose charming hospitality l had en-
 
 as nurse on the Red Cross steamer for the coast of Cuba. And all this, be 1t remembered, is for a war in which the country is not in the remotest dan ger. and when the ultimate summons of patriotism is unspoken, Finally, con- slider the reference to the war loan. A New York syndicate offered to take half of it at a premium which would have given the Government a clear profit of S1000, 900. But the loan was wisely of Tered to the people, and the small in- Vestor gets all he can buy before the capitalist is even permitted to invest. And from Canada to the Gulf, from Long Island to Seattle, the money of the people is pouring in. As I write, it is said the loan will be all taken up in small amounts.
 It is true that soldiers in Florida should not be fed on pork and beans, and that campaigners in Cuba should not wear thick cloth uniforms. But while these truths may be remembered, another should not be forgotten-that the American people have responded to their country's call with instant and fiawless patriotism.
 The lesson they have learned is that patriotism alone will not fight battles. How far will that lesson carry themo Will 1t build up great army and navy? The question requires a two- fold answer. In the United States there is curious antipathy to large standing army. The masses of the people dread such standardization of power. Nothinp excites more hostility than the employment of Federal troops to settle State difIiculties-witness the outcry when President Cleveland sent regulars to quell labor disturbances in Chicago. It is feared that a large standing army might lead to aggressive campaigns abroad, but hundredfold greater is the fear that it might be- come an instrument of oppression at home. So strong is this sentiment that the army will assuredly not be increased to any great extent. Hitherto it's strength has been nominally 25, 900 men-actually perhaps 1S000 Con- gress has recently authorized a total of