The record-union., 1898-10-05
ARMY REORGANIZATION.

Tt is understood that General Miles at
the outbreak of the war strongly ad-
vised tha1 only trained and experienced
regular army officers be placed at the
head Of the several departments of
mana cement and administration having
to do with the outftting, disciplining
and general internal management of
the army. 1t is understood also that
when he comes to testify before the
Investigation Committee, the General
will again advance the same idea, and
win add also that our volunteer army
when called into service shall be Off
cered in the main by trained regular
officers
A dispatch from Ponce I'M yesterdays s
news columns stated that the medical
staff of the army in Porto Rico is
unanimously of the opinion that the
condition of the volunteers in Porto
Rico is such as to necessitate their re-
moval to the United States. The same
dispatch states that there is a wide
disparity between the sickness in the
volunteer and the regular commands.
Whereas among the regulars the sick
ness represents 10 per cent, in the
volunteer commands it averages "a per
cent. Of the whole number.
The other day the Record Union
at considerable length presented testi-
mony supporting the argument that the
IaTopT +oo Of cir IN "a
volunteer forces is and has been due
to the incapacity Of the volunteer off,
GERS to so discipline their men as to
enforce necessary sanitary and health
regulations, and their lack Of knowl-
edge how to secure to best advantage
supplies and outfits for their men.
Finally because of the independence Of
the volunteer and the feeling upon his
part that he is just as capable Of pre-
scribing health conditions for himself
as are his officers, much of the sick
ness and suffering I'M field, hospital and
camp has been and is due
In still another article the Record
Union" has collected proofs showing
that the wise procedure in organizing
volunteer army is to command It by
trained officers, or to ningle volunteers
with regulars. Testimony is rapidly
accommodating in all quarters which
maintains these positions, and empha-
sizes the necessity for a reorganization
Of our army system on three distinct
lines: First, that the formation Of the
National Guard in the States and the
Federal forces in the regular army
must be uniform; second, that the more
important commands in the volunteer
army should be determined, in time of
service, by the Federal, and not by the
State authorities in order to secure
trained men for such positions, and ex-
clude political and favorite appoint
ments and the placing of the lives and
health Of men at the mercy Of COM
manders who however well disposed.
being chosen from civil life suddenly,
are incompetent because Of lack of
training, study and experience to as
sumo the grave duties which impose
the care Of the lives and health Of sol
diers upon them; third, that If it is i'm
possible because Of lack Of material at
first with which to equip volunteer
commands with trained officers, then
the regular army should be increased
to such a large skeleton formation that
in case of war volunteers can be thown
into all regular companies to fill the
skeleton to the full complement, thus
placing the whole army under com
mand of officers properly equipped by
study. experience and training.
Yesterdays dispatches set out at con-
siderable length the embarrassment ot
the Government at Washington becaust
of it's inability to furnish troops fol
garrison and police duty at the new
posts, necessitated by our new posses
sdons, since the volunteers are bringing
pressure TO bear from all quarters tc
be mustered out, and the number OF
applications supported by political and
personal influence is such. taken with
the incapacitated men, as to practically
disorganize the volunteer force now
enlisted, and reduce it to a mere skele.
ton.
This condition Of affairs has brought
the Government to the resolution t
throw upon Congress the whole re
sponsibiiity Of furnishing troops fol
garrison duty in the islands acquired
and in the States where posts and Gov
ernnent property must be cared for
The conclusion to which the impartia
mind is driven is that the regular arm!
force must be enlarged; that the or
ganized militia must have better train
ing inl the art of camp and field living
that higher and more severe require