Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-09-09
THE CARS SCHEME.
PROPOSITION DISCUSSED IN A PRAc-
rIcAL AND STATISTICAL WAY.
The GOOD THAT IT WOULD DO.
National Fetters Would De Removed
Neglected Fields Titled, Deser4u
Reclaimed, and More ships wouIc
Sail the Seas.
cFor the Dispa,ch.)

recent proposition OF the Gar OF Russia
that all nations should disarm, many
people who are confident that the humane
ideas OF Emperor Nicholas Will meet with
the support OF the diplomats and rulers
OF Europe are pointing out the great good
that would naturally follow the beating
of so many swords into plough-shares.
1t Is probable that a society. supported by
General Booth. OF the Salvation Army, and
other prominent members OF the Christian
world. VIII be formed TO keep alive tho
agitation for a general breaking up OF
military camps that the Cars note has
started. These humane persons are pre-
pairing statistics and tables TO show the
benefit that would accrue TO humanity
from the general disarmament plan.
THE EFFECT IN GERMANY.
In Germany there would be released OF
go back TO the fields and factories that.
II is admitted. are badly neglected. owing
TO the militarism that letters the people
Of that country. S96. 6l2 infantrymen. Is. 40
cava!rymen. S6,Sl6 artillerymen. $3.50 en-
%gineers. and others. In all, the total num-
Der of men who are always under arms
In the Fatheriand. lost 10 the productive
commercial strength Of the country, Is no
less than Coz. 30S. These men would be-
sent to their homes II the proposition or
the Car Nicholas ever comes 10 any
thing, and would scatter 20 the four quar-
ters of the empire. to till farms that
have gone TO ruin through the absence OF
the responsible head of the family. to
work in the shop and I'm the factory. and
be useful laborers fulfilling their destiny
in a way that would tend TO the better
ment OF the world. rather than spending
the hours from early morning until late
at night in learning how to kill their fell
low-mortals.
THE DARKEST SIDE.
To take the darkest side OF the picture.
in order that the Cars suggestion may.
by contrast. be shown up i'm the most ia
vorable light, there are at this moment
in Germany. liable TO be called upon for
military service I'm the event of war 4
total strength Of 5.O9S. $50 men and IS. az
officers. over 100000 OF men trained 70
kill with the rapid-hre weapons In use to-
day. No wonde that the Car Nicholas,
who Is OF a studious and intellectual ma
ture, views with horror such a contin.
as this great macs OF husbands,
and sons going TO war TO be shot.
or TO shoot other husbands, fathers, and
sons.
In France there Ia another vast army
ready TO be called upon I'm the event OF
war. In the republic the war-footins
strength of the army reaches the enor-
nous number OF i7ss,Sl2. with "a, 7CO offs
,ers. The actual force under arms is S9.-
men, all taken from their chosen avo-
cations at the time when they should boz
their energies toward making .
place for themselves In the business. pro-
'%essional or mechanical world, and forced.
whether they like Il or not. 10 learn tho
,rt OF war; 500, 260 wage earners lost To-
for the term OF their military SER
1ice, fed and clothed by the government
so many cripples or infants, when
hey might be adding TO the wealth OF
the nation by the labor OF their hands.
wonder the imperial philosopher re-
marks THE intellectual and physical
strength Of the nations labor and capital
ire mostly diverted from their natural
application and unproductively applied
CONDITIONS IN ITALY.
Turning TO Italy, which cannot be said
0 be a military nation in the sense that
he great countries TO the north OF her
re, there are found under arms. lost 10
he labor world for a term OF years, 49,
30 men OF the regular army, while this
is liable at any time 20 be aug-
1ented TO 2,l27. 800 men with 81. 40 officers.
.ould such an army OF men devote ener-
les that are wasted i'm toiling through
Military manoeuvres on a hot day. or
uilding trenches or e~arthworks In order
} learn how 10 protect themselves from
ostile bullets, TO useful pursuits, what
n Improvement would be possible i'm
ally, and how much happier wives and
lildren would be whose bread-winner as
resent is Of little more service 10 them
IAN II he were a convict.
military hordes would be re-
ased in numbers large enough 10 found
huge city. Thu peac eeetab lishment OF
ie country from whence comes the pro-
)sai 10 dlsarm comprises the enormous
imber OF 1894 men, while In time OF
ar the army that would be called upon
defend the honor Of the flag would ba
,3 3G4, with 62, 900 officers. Men enough
this army to people the new tract OF
1iling country in tho great region that
1ssia IS opening up In Siberia, and make
blooming land OF the primitive placa
has been a desert for 50 many CEN
ries. II may be that the Car had this
mind when he wrote 10 the European
'wers: National culture. economic pro-
ess, and the production OF wealth ars
her paralyzed or checked In Develop
ant"
THE TURKISH SOLDIERS.
Turkey is not a military nation Of the
and yet there are 2S,J74 Turk
soldiers always under arms, with no.
ing 10 do but learn how 10 drill, Ia
oct, 10 thrust and parry with the bayo~
|, 10 digest army fare. and wait Tor war
break out or their term OF compulsory
vice TO end.
n Great Britain the people burden
least over the general feeling
uneasiness regarding the outbreak Of
r. Secure behind her white cltrs.
lrded by the wide seas. the SANDERS
L II necessary TO maintain only 20. I've
n under arms for the protection OF all
Queens vast domains. True, there
thousands Of Britons who are trained
the art OF war, but these do not neg.
the more peaceful duties OF life to
IN how to use modern military
ipons. With her small army, thanks
her all-powerful navy. Great Britain
more secure than the Continental ma
Is with their enormous forces Of arms
men.
POINT OF VIEW.
} far as her army II concerned. tha
cement for n general armamen
I'D not make much difference 10 Great
wealth. But In her case there
les up the question OF the good thar
I'D follow the releasing from the bat.
hips. cruisers. and innumerable SMALL
craft OF her immense navy, OF Js9ls
.rienced sailors TO swell the ranks OF
mercantile marine and become peace.
Traders. What would be lone with
vast navy OF Great Britain no one can
e ~fOresee. Battleships cannot well
into merchantmen. and, be-
L. - 4.