The Hawaiian gazette., 1898-09-06
AN ANGRY PEOPLE.

II
Close upon the close OF the war
comes an angry cry Of indignation from
the people at the treatment Of the SOL
diers by the Government. Money was
lavishly voted by Congress. II has
been lavishly spent. With abundance
Of food in the country the soldiers have
been scantily fed. Forty per cent Of
the men In the large army are said to
have been on the sick list during a
short three months war. The men
have been supplied with shoddy cloth
ing, and ill-made shoes. The medical
department has failed to establish an
eflicient medical service. The massing
camps have been badly selected, or i'm
properly managed. On the whole, a
foreigner, after reading our newspap-
ers, and John Sherman's invective
against Secretary Alger, would con-
clude that the American people were
without business methods.
The simple truth is. that compare
lively the business conduct of the war
has been much more successful than
could have been expected, under the
circumstances.
The Sovereign people chose to de-
clare war without military preparation
and without forethought. When the
pessimists, like Admiral Erben, said
before you declare war, prepare for
it," there was a howl of derison The
people cried fight! fight! Never mind
preparation" When the naval and
military men said put off the invasion
of Cuba until the danger from yellow
fever is over" the response was
fight the Spaniards." The people re-
fused to talk about preparation when
the cry of Remember the Maine" was
ringing in their ears. The demon of
Yellow Fever, stronger than the armies
of the Republic, was not seen, though
the wise men knew he stood behind
the Spaniards.
At the close of the Civil war, prud-
ent men advised the establishment OF
a military staff, and the organization of
the militia forces under Federal au-
thorlty. Congress, that is, the people,
refused. All were tired of war. The
navy was neglected and the magnifi-
cent fighting ships we have, were built
In spite of great hostility from the
West.
Providence, therefore, kindly fixed
up a fight for Uncle Sam, SO that his
opponent was an old, crippled, power
ty-stricken, bed-ridden. paralyzed crit
ter that couldn't handle a gun.
The organization Of great army Is
business, and demands business
methods. Capable as the volunteer is
he must be trained. Old soldiers know
that magnificent assaults" desperate
charges" 'bayonet attacks" forced
marches" depend upon grub" and well
regulated bowels, and not upon fine
bands Of music playing to Old Glory.
A big sandwich, with plenty of beans
and coffee, steady the soldier on the
field better than an eloquent Grafton
about duty and sacrifice.
To put some thousands OF inexper-
fenced men into official positions, and
expect them to properly and success
fully conduct an army is like importing
a hundred clergymen into these Islands
and expecting them to instantly organ
lie successful sugar plantations.
The suffering of the soldiers is due
mainly to the want of preparation. The
want of preparation is due to the indif-
ference OF the people. There is now
a widespread desire to skin some-
body" 1t will not be done. Congress
will investigate the cause. BY the time |
that is finished the people will have
cooled of, and forgotten about the az
fair. Back numbers" do not interest
the public. There will, however, re-
main the national self consciousness
that the people must share the blame.
Perhaps sufficient credit will never
be given to the men who, as veterans
OF the Civil War, have done mastery |
work in calling great army suddenly |
out OF the ground Without their ex-
perience, and knowledge. it would have |
been utterly impossible to have done
what has been done. Had the entire |
business OF the organization been left |
to them. and the politicians been ire
duced to the ranks" even much more |
would have been accomplished.
Much that has been learned during |
the last three months will be forgot
ten. Enough will be remembered to
place the military and naval service on
a better footing.
THE PASSING HOUR.