Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-01-05


lien is willing to die to preserve it's
blessings to posterity. The readiness
with which the American people have
always responded to their country's
cal is a guarantee as to the future.
L have suggested some of the reasons
mot all, by any means) why the regu-
lar army should not be Increased, un-
less such increase be actually neces-
sary. l now ask whether there is any
SUCH necessity for increasing that
branch of the army which is held for
service In the United States. There
may, from time to time, be need of
small additions to man new coast for
tifications; but what is there in the do
mestic situation to Justify or excuse the
demand for more soldiers?
An army of occupation for service in
Supa' Porto Rico and the Philippines
Is made necessary by the conditions
growing out of the war. But such an
arny is temporary in character, and
should not be made a pretext for an
increase of 200 per cent in our standinr
army. '9
TRUE USE OF ARMY,
me President assures US, in his last
message, that the only purpose our
government has in taking possession of
H.
ilaNins stable government. When that
Is accomplished our troops are Tn he
Withdrawn.
Inc number needed in the PHILIPPINES
VIII depend largely upon the course
purSued by the Government in regard
" tnose islands. 1t will require fewer
soldiers and less time to give self
Ssoo,r,,erhment to the inhabitants of the
rninppineS than 1t will to give them n
tIi'iitary government or a carpet
government. Since our standing army
was Suliicient for all domestic purposes
pIlor 10 the. war. and since there IS
much uncertainty in regard tn the ARM
VI occupation, 1t would seem the mart
VI WISDOM to separate the two branches
VI the. service and make provision at
onse Tor the latter, leaving the friends
anu opponents of a large standing army
10 settle that question after the vol,
ulteers are mustered out
Most or the volunteers nave no taste
for military life: they left peaceful
pursuits and enlisted. at a great eacri-
nee 10 themselves and their relatives
SuecauSe their country needed them.
NOW that the war is over they desire tn
return home and their desire should no
Grained at the least possible moment.
i hey were willing to fight when fight
ing was necessary; they were ready TO
lay down their arms as soon as hostili
lles ceased If an attempt be made to
a I
nome, merely because of n temporary
need for an insular army, a. prolonged
congressional debate is inevitable. Is
IL fair to keep the volunteers in the
service while this question is being dis
posed Of?
Unless Republican leaders desire to
hold the volunteers as hostages to com
pei Congress to consent to a large
army, they ought to be willing to post
pone the consideration of the Regular
Army Dill and accept a substitute au-
thorizing the President to recruit an
army of occupation for service outside
OF the United States. The soldiers can
be enlisted for two or three years. and
before their term expires the nations
policy VIII be defined and conditions so
settled that provision can be made 70,
the future with more intelligence.
In recruiting the army of occupation
opportunity should be given for the re-
enlistment of such volunteers as de-
Sire to continue in the service. And /
may add that it will encourage re-
enlistment If company or battalion
formed from n volunteer regiment is
allowed to select it's officers from among
the members of the regiment.
MORE PAY FOR THE SOLDIERS.
The pay of enlisted men serving in
the army of occupation should be con-
siderably increased over the present
rate to compensate for greater risk to
health incurred in the islands.
When the time arrives for the delihe-
rate consideration of the permanent
military establishment 1t will be found
safer and more economical to provide
complete modern equipment for the
state together With liberal ap-
preparations for annual encampments.
than to increase the regular army.
Soldiers in the regular service are with
drawn from productive labor and must
be supported the year around, while
military training without abandoning
civil pursuits and without becoming y
pecuniary burden to either State or
nation.
To recapitulate: There is no i'm
mediate necessity for the consideration
OF the proposition to permanently in
crease the military establishment: there
rs immediate necessity for the relief of
the volunteers.
Let the army of occupation he re-
crulted at once; let the size of the
regular army be determined after the
volunteers have been released.
The people are united in the desire
to muster out THE volunteers: they are
divided in opinion in regard 10 tho
regular army.
Let each question be decided upon ito
merits. Np'-' i's
WILLIAM JENNINGS BRYAN
HIS ICEBoX WAS HIS CASTLE.