New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-04-22
MANY SOLDIERS NEEDED.
AN INTERESTING STATEMENT FROM Eek.
SPEAKER KEIFER
HE SAYS THAT NOT LESS THAN 100000

lions which have multiplied before the War d.
partment in it's consideration Of the most a.
fective means of expanding the armed forces b
which reference has been frequently made n
The Tribune. have called forth an interesting
letter from ex-Speaker Keifer to Adjutant-Gen.
eral Corbin, in which he says
I promised write you, but 7 do not feel that
do more than afilrm my views, recently ex-
pressed you orally IN reference 10 an early and
proper preparation to wage war. II Il must come
on a scale ample to meet all possibilities. fail.
ure to do this will most likely call down those
in authority condemnation from which there
will be no recovery and for which no excuse will
il is possible that some disaster may happen 10
our Navy. or substantial part OF It. without the
being on the defensive a feeble preparation for
war will encourage the Spaniards and be taken as
force will have the opposite effect. and most likely
avert an early dsaster-possibly prevent interior.
! am Impressed with the Belief that the demand
for land forces for the defence Of cur cities and
length. will absorb more than one hundred thou.
sand men. including all arms of the service. A
for drill especially in the of modern also
for discipline. and to be seasoned Tor aggressive
war; and TO be in readiness TO be moved TO threat.
ened or real points OF danger.
CUBA NOT TO BE INVADED UNTIL FALL
Our frontier and the interior Of this country can.
not safely be abandoned. IT seems 10 be agreed
that an army Of invasion occupation cannot 10
sent to Cuba before the middle OF October next. IN
consequence Of the rainy season and yellow fever
Even then only trained and seasoned troops. who
are acquainted with their officers and the officers
with them. will be fit to be transported to tropical
Cuba or elsewhere The time for all these essential
requisites to insure success will be short enough
That portion Of the Army. both regulars and vol.
unteers who are in Southern camps. will also BE-
in some considerable degree. Injured the dangers
incident to service in hot climate. and hence the
better able to endure the active service battles
and sieges that may be required OF them
hundred thousand
will be. as ! now view the situation. serious mis-.
take three hundred thousand men would be better
There would be many less In the number actually
in service account Of sickness and other causes
not necessary TO herein mention
| know modern wars supposed 70 be OF short
duration Gran; this to be true: Is II not because
To- wage war than the other? This was demon.
strated in the last Prussan- Austrian and Franco
Prussian wars. and even in the Japan and Chinese
war. II. therefore. perchance the war with
Spain should come early and suddenly 70 eloss.
the Administration would have credit FOR efficiency
and vigor in the preparation for and the prosecu.
ton OF it. But Il INADEQUATE steps are taten and
disaster comes. however temporary. or the war
is. IN consequence OF our weakness and inability 20
ygorosy s Of dT bd esyGnd The
and draft Will be necessary TO carry II on.
ADEQUATE VOLUNTEER FORCE REQUIRED
To meet the possibility that the may. for
some good. bad or no reason, become unpopular.
It will be we'll have adequate volunteer force
In the field Such a force will almost certainly
insure a general interest In and the popularity OF
tho
The possibility OF foreign Intervention viii b
essened by q disposition and purpose TO vigorously
prosecute II TO a speedy end: this can only De made
apparent by the use OF adequate land ana naval
Already the talk about calling. in The beginning
regiments, called National Guards" to the mum.
Der OF 5000 threatens to disrupt me organzed o.
any Of these organized bodies is the worst and
most odous form OF draft. at Least in rs snec;
into camp. the right to withdraw on reading 70
service Is equivalent 70 forcing every proud.
spirited young man to be mustered into the United
States service And even though this plan snouo
instancesl. it would be the signal for dissatis-
faction and probably the disbandng OF the organ
izations not called and cause for serious COM
plant.
power OF the President. especially without express:
authority OF law TO thus call for specific bodies OF
militia. at least for service beyond the borders %
their respective States and stiu graver question
about the right 10 transport the men 10 foreign
when a war is on. there Will be enough people op-
posed 70 it or 20 the manner OF prosecuting 1t. 10
raise all possible questions.
WAR SHOULD NOT PROVE UNPOPULAR.
Care should therefore be taken to AVOID every
serious question 4 with Spain will become
unpopular the moment there develops any real or
apparent inability on part 10 successfully and
speedily terminate IT, There may be a question
about the efficiency OF the now organized militia
regiments. II experience in the last war can
be trusted Il guide 10 "A sound Judgment now. We
discipline that Will be found u exist OF littls
practical use. and generally OF a kind worse than
may not prove 10 be OF the kind by the in
spiration OF war develop INFO ef'icent soldiers;
do not now refer 20 the bravery OF the oiAcers
and men for learned more Than third OF cen;
fury ago that bravery without other essential
qualities and qualifications counts for nothing
Only one class OK volunteer soldiers should 10
dents Of the last war and prior wars are safe and
amp!S' rnsy are pam. simple and easi.y iol9~ea:
the war; can be eouitaby apportioned on the bass
OF population. among the States and Territories,
lery. etc, required from each
MILITIA OFFICERS TO BE COMMISSIONED.
The quotas would promptly be filed by voun-
eers and II Gas in some instances occurred in lSl)
officers Of organized militia took advantage OF ;heir
positions to speedily enlist their men there could
be no objection II the Governors OF the States
III 10 commission them. When a sufficient number
OF organizations , We're thus formed they eou.a 10
exgencits OF the service demanded IL. Troops thus
organized would be, without question as amenaoe
Regular Army. The time 10 get an adequate ana
properly organized volunteer army Is IN the begin
n!ng when the war spirit is hot II VIII oe rT ny
period. except In possible emergency. -,
| hope something may be done az once 10 enable
time OF nj least II this were done. CORE
smaller number OF volunteers would DO
What have said is the safe assumption that
tho enemy Will be actively engaged IN DONG OF
trying to do something to defend himself and 10
AS you know, have been in full sympathy With
the President in all his efforts to avert war Win
Spain. but now that war is Imminent more
than anxious that no serious mistake should 10
made In It's prosecution.
CUBANS OFFER SERVICES.