The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-12-06
ARMY AND NAVY.
Increase of Regular Soldiers Urged
More shipn RecOmmended.


More Ships Recommended.
Under the act of the Congress approved
April 26. 1898. authorizing the President, in
his discretion, upon declaration of war
by the Congress-, or a declaration by the
Congress that a war exists" 1 directed the
increase of the regular army to the maxi
mum of $1,000 authorized in said act.
There are now in the regular army 57.S62
officers and men. In said act it was pro-
vided that, at the end of any war in which
the United States may become involved, the
army should be reduced to peace basis by
the transfer in the same arm of the service,
absorption by promotion or honorable dis
charge, under such regulations as the sec
rotary OF war may establish, Of super
numerary commissioned officers, and the
honorable discharge or transfer of super
numerary enlisted men; and nothing con-
tanned in this act shall be construed as au-
thorizing the permanent increase of the COM
missioned or enlisted force of the regular
army beyond that now provided by the law
In force prior to the passage of this act,
except as to the increase Of twenty-five ma
jors, provided for in Section 1 hereof
The importance of legislation for the per-
manent increase of the army is therefore,
manifest, and the recommendation of the
sacretary of war for that purpose has my
unqualified approval. There can be no queS-
ton that, at this time, and probably for
some time in the future, 100000 men will be
none too many to meet the necessities of
the situation. At all events, whether that
number shall be required permanently or
NOT fha mower shotiId he Given 10 the Pres
tdent TO enlist that force if, in his discre-
ton, II should be necessary, and the further
for the army within the above limit from
the inhabitants of the islands with the gov
eminent of which we charged.
1t Is my purpose to muster out the entire
volunteer army as soon as the Congress shall
provide for the increase of the regular es-
Enlistment. This will be only act of
justice. and viii be much appreciated by
the brave. men who left their homes and
employment to help the country in its emer-
The following recommendations of the
secretary of the navy, relative to the in
crease of the navy, have my earnest ap-
proval:
j. Three sea-going, sheathed and cop
pered battle ships. of about 1850 tons trial
displacement. carrying the heaviest armor
and most powerful ordnance for vessels of
their class. and to have the highest prac-
ticable speed and greatest radius of action.
Estimated cost. exclusive of armor and
2 Three sheathed and coppered, armored
cruisers. of about 900 tons trial displace-
ment. carrying the heaviest armor and most
powerful for vessels of their class, and to
have the highest practicable speed and great
radius of action. Estimated cost, exclusive
OF armor and armament. 100000 EACH
.. Three sheathed and coppered protect
placement to have the highest practicable
speed and great radius of action and to
carry the most powerful ordnance suitable
for vessels of their class. Estimated cost.
exclusive Of armor and armament, $2150O00
each
1. six sheathed and coppered cruisers.
of about $500 tons trial displacement; to
have the highest speed compatible with
good cruising qualities, great radius of
action. and to carry the most powerful
ordnance suited to vessels of their class.
Estimated cost, exclusive of armament,
81 III 500 each.
join with the secretary of the navy in
recommending that the grades of admiral
arwl vice admiral he temporarily revived.
20 be filed by officers who have specially
distinguished themselves in the war with
Spain.
I earnestly urge upon Congress the i'm
purtance of early legislation providing for
the taking OF the twelfth census. This is
necessary in view of the large amount of
work which must be performed in the
preparation of the schedules preparatory
to the enumeration OF the population.
There were on the pension rolls on June
so 1895 $685. IA names. an increase of nearly