The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1899-08-29

The Baltimore Sun says:

"The Army aud Navy JouuiaI
comment upon protest sent By the
San Francisc Labor Council 10 th,
Governors of various states against
the mastering ont of the volunteers
returning to that place, aud suggest
that the disbandment Of the armels
of Europe would, if attempted by
the several governments, be slmlla' J.
objected to By babOr interests. The
San Francisco Labor Council charges
the War Department with various bad
motives: 'Flrst-The desire 10 un-
duly flood the labor market aud thu
check the struggle OF the working
men for improved conditions. Sc
cond-To compel the volunteers,
driven by want aud destitutIOn, to re-
enlist. Third-to prevent the re.
turn of volunteers to their homes,
where to their friends and
relatives they will undoubtedly
give the true version of the people,
the climate and the genral conditions
IN the Philippines, as produced by
our war of conquest. Many of the
volunteers. if discharged here,
will die. Destitute, without family
ties, and the sentiment OF the ma
jority of the people turned against
them when it is found they are un'
forbidden local wOrkmen, the sol
diers, enfeebled through the hard
ships in a deadly climate, will
miserably perish in cheap lodging
houses, IN overcrowed hospitals and
IN lonely country roads An
increase Of the army, in this view,
once made, must be maintained IN
the interest of high wages for per-
sons engaged in civil employmeuts'
Opponents of recent increases Of the
army will fad in this position of an
lnf lential body Of voters an addti-
onal reason for caution.
The Jou nsl observes in regard 10
the matter: If so much discomfort Is
lccLsioned among the lsbJrers of San
Francisco by tie possible addition
of a few thousand workIugmen to the
already overstocked market for labor,
what would happen IN Europe il Rus
sia. Germany. France, Austria and
Italy were 10 add their millions Of
soldiers to the working forces Of the
world and at the same time throw
out of employment the many hu1-
dreds of thousands who are depend
ent upon military and naval estsb-
hshments for their daily breadi The
most productive industry then would
be revolution, and in the cycle Of
change new armies would have to be
formed to deal with universal discon-
tent and unhapplness, upheaying the
very foundation of social order.
This is doubtless true, and the facts
supplies weighty argument against
placing this country in the position
of European Governments, which can
neither endure nor dispense with
their costly armaments. Armies
are needed there, it appears, not
only to ward off external enemies and
SUPPRESS internal disorders, but TO
lessen competition in the labor mar
ket, sustain wages and make a de
mand for the commodities produced
by farmers, manufacturers and la
borers in excess of their own needs.
Society having once adapted itself to
the excrescence of a huge army,
must ever after cherish it to avert
worse evils.
1t is often contended, it is true,
that well managed army is bene-
fit. The German army,it is asserted,
is a useful school, and the period OF
two or three years every German
must spend in the army is profitaoly
spent. Pains are taken to develop
every soldiers physique, so that his
military training is also an invaluable
gymuastic training. The intelligence
is duickened and expanded by the
careful instruction given to recruits.
Add to this that by taking theyoung.
ster from his obscure village and
forcing him to see something OF the
world provincialIsm is cured. The
young soldier becomes acquainted
with the various parts of the empire,
sees many deterrent classes OF people
and thus escapes the narrowness and
stupidity of the man who spends mis-
wbole.life in a small village out OF
contact with the moving world. A
distinct effort is made. it is said, to
render the period of military SER
vices profitable mentally and physl,
cslly, and not a waste of time, as It
is often represented to be. Such is
the argument of admirers OF the
German army, who point with pride
to Germsny's present strides in H.
dustry, commerce and wealth as
proof that she is benefited rather
than in jured by military institutions.
But America in not Germany, aud 1t
is obviously impracticable under
American conditions to introduce
here the conscription, the seryere
discipline and the other elements OF
the German system. without wnicn
the benefits of army life must be I'M