Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-12-18
THE COMING ARMY.

The Administrations bills now before
Congress looking to a reorganization Oh
the United States army are attracting
much attention. We can understand why
this should be 20 when we stop TO think
that If passed between fifteen hundred
and two thousand commissions VIII have
10 be issued by the President. That would
exhaust all the West Point material and
make room for many graduates from State
military schools and from the list OF OIL
GERS and men who have served creditably
as volunteers in the war with Spain. Many
OF these aspirants will use their influence
with their Senators and Representatives to
vote for army enlargement in the hope
that good places in the army may fan 10
their lot Thus an immense pressure Will
be put upon Congress.
General Lee is said to have stated TO the
President that we ought TO have at least
$1,000 troops in Cuba at the beginning at
any rate. He thinks that by the display of
great military power at first we can make
an impression upon the natives which will
serve us in good stead for all time to
come. And no doubt his view is correct.
Adjutant- General Corbln, who is de-
scrlbed by the New York Times as the
worst enemy our army has, recently stated
20 a congressional committee that $1,000
troops would be needed in Cuba. what
a. more. he backed UP his opinion by
statements made by Generals Wade and
Butler and Admiral Safapson, who consu-
lutte our commissioners to see to the
evacuation of the island by the Spanish.
Per contra, General Miles, who never
can agree with Corbin and Alger, has
been quoted as saying that 5000 win be
plenty.
It is clear, at any rate. that our friends,
The Cubans. are regarded as a stubborn set
of cut-throats. who are only 10 be con-
WINGED of our loving Kindness and disin-
terestedness by mighty display of bayo-
nets upon our part.
In the Philippines, also, our pious in
tentions are doubted by the naked ma
tiyes and a large army will have to be
KENT there for Heaven only knows how
long.
In view Of the great number OF ISLANDS
I'm the Philippine group we shall have also
20 keep there numbers of warships also
many transports, so that we may move
our men rapidly from island to island as
circumstances may require.
So. il is clear that our expansion policy
carries with Il a large increase in the
army and navy both.
OF course the suggestion that we might
sell the Philippines is not 10 be enter
tained. In the first place, that would
be TO explode all of our Humanitarian pre-
fences. la the next place, 1t would be a
retrenchment and reform measure, ana,
therefore, unlikely to succeed; II would
mean that we could do without hundreds
OF army and navy officers.
1t is going 10 be a question where we
shall be able TO get the enlisted men we
shall need Wherever there is a COM
mission 10 be had there win be ten or
twelve applications for IL, but it will not
be at all easy to get enlisted men-unless
we offer them large bounties, or take In
the natives of the conquered territory.
Sooner or later the latter plan wiz come
into vogue And many now living Will
see the day when the President Of these
United States viii have ar his command
scores OF regiments composed Of men who
do not speak our language, who do not
understand our institutions or customs,
yet who may at any time be ordered on
duty at Washington or Chicago or San
Francisco. They will be ofIicered by
Americans; but for the most part thAv
viii be composed OF men absolutely with
out sympathy with us, and whose sole
ambition IN life win DO TO keep their
places In the army.
TO sobcr.sided people who believe In
this Doctrine OF the Declaration of indie
pendence, that government derives its
aust powers from the consent 81 the gov