The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-12-14
INCREASE OF THE ARMY
The Hearing Before the House
Committee.
GEN. SCHWAN'S OPINION
Sulzer Asks Some Pertinent Questions.
Cox Asserted That the Volunteers
Have Proved Themselves the
Better Fighters.

Washington, Dec. lathe adjutant
generals Office of the war department
was well represented to-day at the
hearing before the house committee
on military affairs relative to the In
crease in the army. General Schwan Of
that office detailed at length the organ
ization Of the army under the plan
proposed in the Hull bill. which has the
Endorsement Of the secretary of war.
The total strength of officers would
be 1921, enlisted men SO, 797. Grand to-
tai OF officers and enlisted men 1OO,5ls.
When Mr.. Sulzer asked how many
soldiers were required to maintain
peace and order in Cuba. until the Gu
ban republic Is proclaimed, General
Schwan declined to give an opinion.
A similar response was made on an
inquiry as to the Philippines. The
questions brought out some differences
between members Of the committee.
Hull said his was not the trial If the
case" and the officer was not on the
witness stand.
MIR. Sulzer insisted, however, that II
was essential that the officers appear
ing should state how many men were
required at nome and abroad. Proceed
ing. Mr.. SulZer said:
General, what would you propose as
a means of stopping the friction be-
tween the commanding general and the
adjutant general of h army
General Schwan sad he could not an
swer, and there vas a chorus of Wig
orous protests from members OF tle
committee and the question was ruled.
Mr.. Cox questioned General Schwan
as to what use would be made Of our
soldiers in Cuba. The general said II
would be to maintain peace and order.
MIR. Cox insisted that IL was to main
tain this order over the Cubans as the
Spaniards had Withdrawn. General
General Schwan declined TO accept this
Interpretation. saying the army in Cuba
was To maintain order against all alike.
Major Johnson next explained the cav
airy features of the proposed reorgan-
ization. He emphasized the need of
organizing h cavalry in times of
peace. as II was impossible to properly
equip and train cavalry at a time of
emergency.
nv. Cox questioned Major Johnson as
To the relative merits Of the volunteers
and regulars. n argued that the vol
unteers were the better fighters, as
shown by the experience of the civil
war and the recent Spanish war. Major
Johnson said he had no criticism for
the volunteers, although he maintained
tina military trainin" was an import
ant element i'm the fighting ability OF
the soldier.
w. A. simpson followed on the artil-
lery branch of the proposed organiza-
ton. lie urged the battery as the limit
Of artillery organization in preference
e. the regiment.
Major simpson. who served under
General Merritt at Manila. was asked
by Mr.. Hay as 10 what cooperation
might he expected from the Filipinos
He said opinions differed rs to this
among the United States officers in the
Philippines. Most Of the Ftlipinos
seemed to be ready to- cooperate Will
| the American forces. but some If them
puffed up by authority. might not be 50
ready 10 aid the Americans. \ strong
force Of United States troops. about
10000. would he most effective, he said
not only for service, but mainly for III,
moral effect.
The hearing will be continued To.
morrow.