The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-08-02

having been awakened to the expedi-
ency Of maintaining a greater standing
army at home. while the enlarged re-
sponsihilities in Alaska. Hawaii. Cuba
and Porto Rico and perhaps the Phil
ippines imperatively demand a consil-
cradle force for garrison duty. For
some time at least Cuba cannot he
trusted to work out the problem OF
I self-government without guardianship
Of at least $1,000 trained soldiers. Porto
Rico will undoubtedly require about
10000 unless greater difficulties attend
I the establishment of law and order In
these islands han is now apprehended,
when double that number would be
needed.
OF Porto Rico's rapid progress and
Of the ability Of its people to relieve
the United States of much concern,
army officers have little doubt. but they
are not so certain about the Cubans
after their performance AT Santiago,
| and grave fears are entertained that
the professional guerrillas and military
agitators. together with large elements
of shiftless, lazy men that infest the
island. will prove a source Of continual
irritation and probably compel the ad-
ministering of Justice and protection Of
property there by the continual exertion
of the strong arm of the United states
until a generation has passed.
Hawaii is expected to give no trouble
at all. Its people have demonstrated
their ability to take care of themselves,
and beyond a small detachment Of ar
tillery and perhaps a company of in
fantry the army will be able to leave
the protection of the islands entirely to
the navy.
If the Philippines are to be held a
tremendous increase in the regular
| army would be imperative so soon as
congress provides the requisite author
ity.
1t is recognized on all sides that
more than nine-tenths of the volunteers
now i'm service. officers as well as en-
listed men, are serving at great per-
sonal sacrifice and should be dis
charged TO return to their original oc-
equations as speedily as circumstances
will permit. So long as the nation Is
absolutely in need of these volunteers
II is certain that they will unhesitating-
ly respond to the necessities OF the oc-
casion. but there is no disposition 40
hold them strictly To the terms Of en-
listpfnt from the moment their serv-
ices may be dispensed with. n 1t
would not he surprising If several OF
the regiments raised under the SECOND
call which have not yet reached Fer
nandina. Jacksonville or San Fran
cisco should be ordered to their states
for mastering out within the next few
days. These would include most of the
troops at Chickamauga and Camp Al
ger and those scattered throughout the
various military departments.
General Lees 9TH corps at Jackson
VILE has always been intended for duty
in Coba late r. the fall. and 1t will GER
tainly go there at that time. whether
for offensive operations i'm case Ha-
vana has not surrendered or as the
army of occupation after peace has
been concluded.
The reduction Of the naval forces
will be of a more sweeping and imme-
date character. il being the intention
to dispose of nearly all the vessels
which were pressed into the service
and improvised for various hostile op-
crations since the Maine was blown up.
The first step has already been taken
by the orders issued yesterday return
ing the ST. Paul and the st. Louis to
New York as soon as they could leave
the West Indies. Their guns will he
taken off at once, their naval officers
detached. including Captain Sigsbee
and Captain Goodrich. and as speedily
as the vessels can be restored to the
condition they were in when the navy
acquired them they will be delivered 10
their former owner. the American line.
The Harvard and Yale will be given
up a week or so later, and the navy
will then cease paying $4,000 a day for
these four vessels, which for the last
few weeks have been used exclusively
by the army al transports. Perhaps
the army will be able To charter the
vessels for a time, or at least until the
owners consider ii advisable to under
take the restoration of their trans-At-
lantic VOYAGES. 1t is almost certain
that the war department II compelled
To send additional reinforrements II
Manila will promptly impress these
vessels and hurry them around to the
Pacific for that purpose.
The naval authorities have also
shown their confidence I'm the result Of
the peace negotiations by ordering at
least three Of the heAvIe warships IN
New York for repairs. The Texas is
expected To so into aock on Tuesday
and the Brooklyn a week later. The
Iowa will be put in the new dock which
has just been repaired as soon as il Is
ready To receive her. which. according
10 the last assurance from Constructor
Bowles, will be about Aug. II. The In
diana will also come north as soon as
possible and even Admiral Simpsons
flagship. the New York, is, expected 20
go in dry dock by the middle of Aug
ust.
According to the naval authorities,
the prospects are that all the volun-
teer officers. as well as men who care
Ia lac relieved from naval service. will
be able To return To their homes by
Sept. l. This refers. Of course. only TO
naval m"ilitiamen, whose Elaces on the
regular waTships will he taken by en-
listed men released from the auxiliaries
as quickly as the latter vessels are put
out Of commission.