The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1899-02-20
INCREASED ARMY BILL
War Department Argues in Favor
Of the Hull Measure
DEFECTS OF TIE COO1RELL BILL.

It Does NOT IroV1de FOR General Cr-
ficers, and Athe Provision Which
Would Add Natives of Acquired Ter
ritory toArmy Would Be Detrimental
Washington. Feb. 2O.--The following
statement from the war department on
pending army Legislation and the needs
Of the service was issued yesterday:
On Monday the senate will take up
what Is now conceded to be the most
important subject before congress-the
reorganization Of the regular army.
The military committee has submitted
two bills for its consideration. One of
these, the house CknoWn as the HulD
bill, is reported with but few amend
ments by its chairman, Senator HaW-
ley. an expert in matters relating to
military organization. 1t has been
perfected by the committee, including
the Democratic members, in several
particulars, the most noteworthy and
valuable being, perhaps, the provision
increasing the corps of cadets by 100
and insuring an adequate source CT
supply for vacant second lieuteancies.
The measure preserves the present Or
ganization and slightly strengthens the
cavalry, augments the artillery and or
ganizes that arm on a scientific basis
suited to our condition. gives to the
infantry the much needed three bat
talon organization, and makes only
such additions to the staff as are alb
solutely Indispensable Under its pro-
visions entrance to any branch Of the
army cannot be obtained until after
the candidate for commission has
demonstrated hi; fitness for 1t TO the
satisfaction Of a competent examining
board. There is a clause empowering
the president to extend or contract the
enlisted strength, according to the
necessities of the country, providing for
the first time scheme adopted long
since for all modern European military
systems.
The ether bill is brought forward by
Senator Ccckrell. Its first section di-
rects the disbandment of the volunteer
army within a specified period after
the peace treaty shall have been rati-
fled by Spain. Sections 2 and con-
tain. its principal provisions. BY the
former authority is conferred for con-
l!iiulIltS liic llGs ~ ltS wal
strength until July /, 1901, while the
third section authorizes the president
to raise military forces to the number
Of 81, 0G0 in Cuba, Porto Rico and the
islands Of the Pacific, to be COM
posed of the inhabitants Of such ISL
ands. No organization is provided in
the bill for this force, nor does it de-
tcrInire what relation it shall sustain
toward the permanent military estab-
lishMcnt Of the United States. and no
professional. educational or other test
is prescribe for the persons who are
to officer it, The bill does not provide
for any additional general officers.
greatly needed in the administration Of
affairs in Cuba, Porto Rico and the
Philippines. 1t would leave the army
as now organized. with but three major
generals and six brigader generals,
which allows but one general officer
for each of the military departments in
the United States and one for COM
manding general of the army.
Cuba now constitutes military di-
vision commanded by a major general,
and moreover comprises six military
departments commanded by general
officers Of. volunteers. In Porto Rico
there Is necessity for at least one
general officer, and in the Philippines
for the general officers required for an
army corps, so that II senator COCK
rel's bill should become law it would
leave the army defc'cht not only IN en-
listed force, but without any general
olhcers.
The criticism that has been passed
upon the department has been the all
sence OF su'hcientiy trained stan OIL
flcers. The Cockrell amendElers would
perpetuate this alleged la1neness.
The returns of the war department
show the strength OF the regular army,
at this time, to be only few less than
$4,000 enlisted men. or these there are
nearly 1900 in Cuba, and like num-
ber IN or ell route to the Philippines,
and in Porto Rico 45S6, leaving the
total enlisted men of the regular army
in the United States 2i,00o. or these
5000 are held in readiness for dispatch
TO reinforce the army at Manila. This
would leave the total enlisted strength
of the army within the United States
less than $4,000. or nearly 4,COo less than
is necessary TO furnish single relief
to man the guns now on our seacoast
Notifications. 1t would compel the
abandonment Of all our posts in the
interior, would strip the Indian country
of troops and leave none 70 supply the
rcuu!rcments of an eXigent condition.
AT this time there Is not an officer on
duty with any college In the United
States, notwithstanding the law con-
tempiates that there shall be 100 de-