The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-09-03

ful utility. Swarms of gulls lowered abou
the landing party. Some of the birds &C
tually got so near that we were able Ic
catch them alive.
On landing we found the whole island
of curious coral formation and quaint
shells. whose white surface reflected the
! tropical sun so as TO make the heat un-
bearable. TheChinese crew from our boat
jumped into the water, but were driven
ashore by the appearance of several
sharks. The expedition made its way to
the center Of the island where lay the
green waters of long lagoon fed at one
end by waves dashing over the shoals.
Innumerable fish of verigated greens and
reds, with hooked mouths like parrots
bills. moved sluggishly about without the
least fear of man. In fifteen minutes
Major Bell had shot ten or dozen Of these
fish, which we took back with US to the
ship. We left the American flag flying over
the island. planting it there on the Fourth
of July.
We were probably the first Americans to
celebrate Independence Day, as we were
without doubt near the western side of
the 1SSth degree of longitude. The hurri-
cane deck was crowded with officers, and
down below on the main deck the pri-
Yates assembled, listening to the speeches
by General Green, Colonel Hale of the
First Colorado, and Colonel Jewett judge
advocate. The speeches treated of the
necessity of better discipline. General
Green exhorted the officers to look closely
10 the eomfort and welfare of their men,
TO give no commands not we'll considered,
and, having. done this, to demand of the
men unquestioning obedience. Colonel
Jewett drew attention to the fact that
upon the good behavior of the troops
would depend in alarge measure the in
fiUence we would have with the natives.
In the management of the men lies the
whole weakness of volunteer army. II
is difficult to impress the volunteers with
the idea that they are bent on serious
businesses; most of them act as If they were
out on a pleasure trip. 1T is perhaps not
policy to dwell upon the distinction be
tween our small trained army and our
multitudinOus volunteer force but some
facts it is the duty of every observer to
bring to the public notice. It is the opinion
OF the majority of good Americans that,
when the occasion requires. we can raise
an army of volunteers and click the
world This crude idea of war has been
fostered by the late rebellion. where both
such crude doctrine ts, the attitude of
the public is likely to find support in the
easy victory we are sure to have over the
Spaniards, in spite of the fact that that
victory was made possible by our highly
trained navy. The weakness of our vol
unteer force should therefore be we'll no.
ted, that we may not be led into the ar
rogance Of our easy victory to rush head
long into new war.
In the first place Volunteer forces are |
bound to be more or less insubordinate.
[ overheard a soldier say 10 an officer who !
was issuing hardtack, 81 don't want any |
o. that - - stuff" Our national guard |
S distinctly a social organization, and they |
10 not realize now thatthey are going into |
serious business. They look upon this ex-
0edtion too much in the light of pic I
mic excursion. There is also much answer
ng of roll-call in different tones. like school |
Boys, to excite laughter. All this is the
'ault of the officers, who do not enforce the
ships regulations. and who treat their men
With good fellowship. a lenient method
which is sure to bring about fatal results
n an army. ] spoke about this weakness
n my last letter. expressing the opinion
hat the lack of discipline was due to ig-
lorance and that a great improvement
night be expected by the end of the voy-
ge. But the general laxness OF volun-
eer officers has increased. One Of them
old me that the discipline of the volun-
eer force would never be like that of
ocular troops. for it was based on life
ong habits of good-fellowship. and that
would take the place of dis
ipline in action. This officer went on to
mply that the regular soldiers had enlist
d for the money in the job. and needed
he discipline to take the place of she vol
nteers' patriotism.
l would not mention this conversation
rere it not that there Is a strong tendency
OF only among the volunteers but among
ne mass ,af the American people. to dis
arage the regular army of the United
tates. Why the regular should love his
ountry less than the volunteer because he
lakes soldiery the business of his life, is
ard to see. The superiority of the regu-
ar over the volunteer is strikingly exem-
lifted on this boat. The officers take bet
r care Of their men. the men are obed-
mt, orderly, quiet. and never :nsubor- :
IS soldiers as the boys" whereas the
egular officers always say my men"
hese two phases show the difference of
le two organizations in a nutshell. Tn
IS some change in feeling takes place.
UT volunteer forces, brave men as they
re. could not possibly stand against we'll
rganized troops IN TIE campaign the
ecessity viii, perhaps. not show itself.
Ut who knows. with our new, aggressive
olicy. what lies in store for Us? One
ing is certain that strict discipline IS
ecessary to preserve the health OF the
older in the trying Climate OF the Phil
pines.
In this connection Il is aduty TO point
u the now practical result OF political
o7ointments 10 important Offices in the
an corps In no part OF the service IS
Sperience so essential 20 the welfare Of
le army and its success as in the quar- :
rmaster's and subsistence departments
very movement an army makes de-
ends upon the quartermas.er. The com
TT and shelter OF men n camp also de-
ends upon the Guartermaster. for ne
finishes the clothing. bedding. and
nts. The duties OF The comissary officer
not 50 complex; stii they are equally
'sen;isl to successful campaign. A
'ldie- fights Is he Is fed \ fun belly
YES stomach for war. Hunger brea-5s
scontent and characterization, and IS the 4
- ally Of the enemy =
What can justify Jre assignment OF a '
tally inexperienced officer as chief com
sary OF subsistence ave you aad {
" experience Y the subsistence daczrt-
ent@ he vas asked None a. al. +" BE 4
aakly answered 7 suppose you have
eNPeuenced clerk theaT-' " ea