New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-04-21
THE ARMY BILLS.

The War Department will make no mistake
in insisting that 1t be left absolutely untram-
melled in its disposition Of soldiers and the or
ganizaton Of the Army. with view to Its
greatest efficiency and withou. regard to the
vanity or ambition OF militia officers and poll
ticians on horseback. II will doubtless be en-
tireIy reasonable with volunteers, and so far
as practicable make the service attractive for
men already in the National Guard, keeping
comrades and friends together and taking adj
vantage Of the esprit du corps Of existing or
ganizatons. But 1t must have n free hand In
the matter Of discipline and ability to adapt or
reorganlze its forces to meet the conditions Of
modern warfare, and not be hampered by OBJ
solete formations and dlscredted tactics per-
sisting in some State bodies. 1t must also have
full power to send every company IN the SER
vice wherever its plans may require, without
giving special consideration to the sensibilities
and desires OF condcscendlng assistants.
War must be conducted Wit one sole end in
view. That is to overcome the enemy IN the
shortest possible time with the least expend-
ture of blood and treasure Every unnecessary
dollar spent is robbery. Every unnecessary
man killed is murder. Every unnecessary day
FILTERED away in fighting Is both. Every man
and every organization engaged In war must
be subordinate to the main purpose. II patriot
ism is not equal to that sacrifice IL should stay
at home and serve the country In less exactng
ways, and above all, 1t should not let It's self
shness be used to prevent those who must an
swer to their fellows and to history for the lives
and money used and bear the blame for any
needless waste, from securing such legislation
as according to their expert opinion the Army
needs Congress has pointed the way to war
1t Is now the turn Of the soldier. Let the SOL
ders, not the politicians, determine how the
Army Is to be organized and managed. This
country has already had too many widows made
by amateurs playing at war.
The Hull Army Reorganization bill and the
Volunteer Army bill together are understood 10
have the approval Of the War Department and
to offer reasonably good method Of preparing
for the impending conflict. The Hull bill Is not
all 1t should be. Unworthy jealousies robbed it
Of half its virtues, but 1t is not entirely value
less. If Congress cannot be induced to provide
for a regular army Of 100000 in time Of war
then 1t should pass this bill making the smaller
increase in the regular force, and also the bill
for organizing volunteers to work with them.
The volunteers are to keep their State organiza-
ton 80 far as practicable" But the Hull bill
establishes the liberalization formation Of
1000 men. and as the other bill makes the Reg
ular Army regulations applicable to the volun-
teers the two measures taken together APP
parently permit the President ct discretion to
decide that absolute regard for militia organ
lzation lines Is noe practicable, and compel
small bodies to affiliate temporarily so rs TO
make a troop Of proper size and formation.
This the Guardsmen should be ready to en-
dure. for cllnging to their antiquated methods
is like clinging to fintlocks. A nintlock troop
would be interesting. and it might have a proud
organization spirit. but nobody would think Of
forming the Army to suit its habits or tradi-