The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-01-18
WEDNESDAY. JANUARY IS. 1899.
MILITARY REORGANIZATION,

There IS some division or OPINION III
Congress about the terms upon which our
military status shall be reorganized'
though It is pretty generally conceded
everywhere that the subject needs atten-
zion. The friction between the War De-
partment and the head OF the army
ought to be ended finally and without
possibility Of recurrence. The head OF
the army ought 10 be given control OF the
sources Of supply TO the army-quarter-
master. commissary and ordnance-in
time Of war. certainly, If not in time Of
peace also. The head Of the army ought
also TO have control of the general stan,
OF which the efficiency should be greatly
increased.
We saw so much IN the recent war
that brought our shortcomings In these
matters into bold relief that we believe
the country is well nigh unanimous in
demanding changes that viii bring order
into the organization as far as they
nre concerned. But the matter upon
(which there seems to- be the greatest
division Of opinion SIS the number of sol
tiers for the regular army in the future
and the appropriation by Congress TO
encourage State volunteer soldering.
We are not Of those who think our
regular army should Doe reduced TO such
q skeleton as 10 pc practically valueless
For actual hostiltles. III we keep them.
we must Of course. keep up an especial
Philippine regular army and for some
time, al least IAN especial Cuban and Porto
Rican regular army the expense Of which
we can make those islands pay But we
Should also have al an times in the
United States regular force that would
answer as the nucleus of am active army
I'm case we are unfortunate enough 20
become involved In war with some first
class power. We DO not think our regu-
lar army IN the United States ought TO
thirty thousand men, kept always in toe
highest state OF driu and efficiency. it
was the existence or such body chat
enabled us TO make the quick work of
the Spaniards we found at Santiago. and |
n we had had to depend upon raw yolun- !
teers then the probability is we should |
have met with terrible disaster The !
conduct of the Scventy-nrst New York |
there should bee perpetual warning 60
as against trusting 90 unsound volunteers |
In the beginning of a war
We should enlarge the capacity Of West |
Point and Annapolis also We ought TO
send out amongst the people each year
ct least one thousand young men. thor
oughly trained ia the art and practices
~ war. both boy land and sea-. These
young men mixing with the people and
going into civil pursuits after "a thorough
education. teach Tho body ct the
people military customs aud habits. and
have them prepared for the stern rcali-
ties OF war if 10 comes upon us suddenly
But the state militia mast be- our real
dependence aftNr al. and Congress should
provide for encouraging &C. in its organi-
cation. drill and practice. so that We
could always depend upon an army Of
a. least 10000 thoroughly nracucod state
volunteer ready 20 respond at an hour
rall. IL would not take "a large appro-
priation 10 make such "a body of volun-
teer soldiery always ready for service. |
IT, Tor instance. Virginia hid SOME $4,000
per annum given Der hy f.c Government
FOR military purpose She wouu soon have
1000 as fine volunteers as co Wa be- found
In the world aud men CHAN could Doe
relied upon az an hours nouov TO- meet
successfully the best drilled and equipped
regulars IN the world
That is the important thing. and that
IS what Congress should nx IT'S imme- !
Hate attention upon. 20 Doe kept there UNI .
IL decisive action IS taken. q