The evening times., 1898-08-17
4 LESSON LEARNED OF WAR.
The Nations Military Establish
ment Must Be Increased.
A DIVERSITY OF OPINION
All Agree That Prompt steps Are
Necessary, But the Manner Of Ac-
xary End In a Source of COntrO-
versy-A Compromise Probable.

That as a result of the present war
the United States Is to have a more ef-
fective permanent military establishment
is a foregone conclusion. The lesson was
much too plain and too serious to be
ignored. But as to just how the needs
of the nation in this respect are to be
met. there is a wide diversity Of opinion.
1t would SEEM from the indications Of
public sentiment which have thus far
come to the surface. that a compromise
will have to be reached somewhere be-
tween a large standing army and an un-
prepared and Ineffective militia. An ef-
fort to increase the permanent military
establishment of the nation to at least
60. 900 men is certain to be made. and the
policy will have strong advocates. That
the effort will meet with strong opposi-
don is equally certain. Outcroppings of
1t have already appeared in the Missouri
and Texas Democratic conventions.
While advocating the upbuilding of the
navy, both of these conventions declared
against the increase in the standing ar
my of the country. As 10 how the coun-
try is to be supplied with a military force
which would be adequate to cope with n
hTSl-tidSS power OI THESE COH-
ventions offered any suggestions. To
suppose that they wished the country to
be longer exposed to the dangers of un-
preparedness would be to accuse them of
being unpatriOtic. There are few men
whose counsel is of any weight who do
not admit that something must be done.
Many plans are being discussed by those
who lake an interest in military affairs.
One which seems to meet with the most
approval is that the Governement make
larger appropriations for the State mill
tia, and exercise a sort of supervision
over it, while leaving. of course, the con-
troll 10 the governors of the States. The
plan is to bring the organized militia of
the Safes UP to a point of efficiency
approximating at least that of the reg
ulars. They are to be fully equipped.
armed with the most modern weapons
and prepared to take the field upon short
notice.
In order that they may be drilled to
such an extent that tney can be relied
upon for good work from the start. II is
suggested that all the regular troops of
each department of the army, together
with the State troops embraced within
the district. be mobilized at some point
for a month every year. or at least every
two years. for drills and general practice.
not only the efficiency of the National
Guard but of the regular army as well.
1t would also afford general officers val
liable experience in handling large bodies
of troops
Another advantage would be that the
commissary department of the army
would be kept in shape for an actual
campaign. Considering the poor showing
made by this department of the army
during the present war this would be
most desirable. The commissary depart
ment thought it had system equal to
any demands which might be made upon
it. 1t was mistaken. The only way to
be sure that a system will work satisfac-
torily Is to test 1t thoroughly, and this
the department has never had a chance
to do.
To carry out this plan would, as a mat
ter of course. cost money. but the Unit
ed States has now taken a place among
the nations of the world such as will no
longer permit of its being run on a cheap
basis. So the cost of the thing is not
likely to prove of any great weight in
the final decision