Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-11-18
NATIVE TROOPS.

/ 1t is clear that most Of the volunteers
1 now in the field would gladly hear of or
ders being issued for them to be muster
ed out They are tired of the service.
4 Now that peace has been restored Though
the Spanish continue to kicl), army life
offers no opportunity OF winning martial
glory But our government cannot re-
lease many more of the volunteers until
other tooops are found to take their
places. The possession of vast Colonies,
peopIed with inferior races, creates the
necessity for great military establish
ment. Soldiers we must have in large
numbers, and the question arises, Where
can we get them?
1t seems quite certain that. at its com
ing session, Congress will authorize The
Increase Of the regular army, but, unless
special inducements are offered TO re-
eruits, it is unlikely many will come for.
ward.
To our mind, there appear but two ways
In which we can coax into the ranks of
Uncle Sam enough men to garrison the
military posts In this country, and furnish
police for duty in our various COLONIES"
One way is to make the pay of the en-
listed men much larger than it is now
the other is 10 enlist thousands of the
natives of Hawaii Cuba, Porto Rico, ard
the Philippines.
Our army is already said to be the most
Expensive on earth. officers and men
average more pay than do those OF any
pther country. in some other LANDS the
~ 10 oil
much more than we pay ours; but we DIl-
derstand that, taking the cost per capita.
ours is the costliest army in existence.
Now. to have to go a step farther and
put the pay stlll higher would be TO i'm
pose proportionally greater burden upon
the public Treasury. But what else can
the country do? Really, for the time De-
ing, no other course seems open to US.
The example Of Great Britain is often
quoted as showing that native troops may
be successfully used. Yes; and the time !
may come when we, too, may make use |
OF them; but that time is not ye.. We |
know too little about our Colonial peoples |
The great Sepoy rebellion, which cost
England so many precious lives. was
caused by the ignorance, or stupidity, Of |
the British authorities in despising social
and religious prejudices. Ii taught Them
great lesson; may we never have need
OF such onel
After we have made the acquaintance
OF our darkskinned subjects" II may be
possible that we can rely uopn them for
military service: but. for the nonce, we
shall have TO depend upon our own men.
In short, Congress will have 20 make
the regular-army service 80 attractive
that sufficient recruits will come TO II.
Congress will have 10 offer to recruits
liberal inducements In pay. promotion,
and pensions. 1t will. also. have to
make the term Of enlistment rather short.
When all these things have been done.
We may count upon securing the soldiers
we need. And we may, likewise count
upon many OF those soldiers staying in
The COLONIES" when their terms Of en-
sstment are out. That that result will
'ollow we feel quite sure. Indeed, many
men may be induced 20 enlist "to see the
sountry''-just as many. in times gone by,
Enlisted 50 that they might so west out
West there were 50 many profitable open
ngs for able-bodied men assertions were
81 frequent occurrence. and that may be
! trouble our regiments IN the Colonies"
may have TO reckon with, though, We [
hink, not To IN large an extent a