The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1899-02-23
PLEA FOR THE ARMY.
A Statement Issued by the
War Department.
THE HULL BILL SUPPORTED.
Defects Pointed Out In the Measure Ad-
vocatsd by Senator cockrell-Natives, IL
Was Declared, Cannot at Present BE
UtIIized as Soldiers In New Islands.

Nttltzed 0h soldiers In new lAlhnuss
WASHINGTON, Feb. 20.-A statement
from the war department ON pending
army legislation and the needs of the
publication. 1t referred to the two bills
before congress. OF the Hull bill il said
in part:
"The measure preserves the present
organization and slightly strengthens
the cavalry, augments the artillery and
organizes that arm on a scientific basis
suited to our conditions, gives to the in
fantry the much needed three battalion
organization and makes only such add.
tions to the staff as are absolutely indis-
pensable. Under its provisions entrance
to any branch of the army cannot be OBJ.
tanned until after the candidate for
commission has demonstrated his fitness
for 1t to the satisfaction Of competent
examining board. There is clause en-
powering the president to extend or
contract the enlisted strength according
to the necessities of the country, pro-
viding for the first time scheme
adopted long since for all modern Eu-
ropean military systems"
The statement further said in part:
"The other bill is brought forward by
Senator Cockrell. It's first section di-
rects the disbandment of the volunteer
army within a specified period after the
peace treaty shall have been ratified by
Spain. Sections two and three contain
its principal provisions. By the former
authority is conferred for continuing
the regular army at its war strength
until July |, 1901, while the third sec
ton authorizes the president to raise
military forces 20 the number of $4,000
in Cuba, Porto Rico and the islands Of
the Pacific, to be known, respectively,
as the army of Cuba, the army of Porto
Rico and the army Of the islands Of the
Pacific, to be composed of the inhabi-
tants of such islands. No organizaG zion
is provided in the bill for this force,
nor does it determine what relation it
shall sustain toward the permanent
military establishment of. the United
States; and no professional, educa-
tional, or other test is prescribed 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.
"Cuba now constitutes military di-
vision, commanded by major general
and moreover comprises six military de-
partments, commanded by general Off
GERS of volunteers. In Porto Rico there
| is a necessity for at least one general
officer, and in the Philippines for the
general officers required for an army
corps, so that if Senator Cockrell's bill
should become law it would leave the
army deficient not only in enlisted
| force, but without anv general officers
to administer the important duties now
devolving upon the government.
THE criticism that has been passed
upon the department has been the alb.
sence of sufficiently trained staff Off.
GERS. The COckrell amendment would
| perpetuate this alleged lameness.
SHOULD his bill be passed into law
the adJutant, inspector, quartermaster,
subsistence, medical and pay depart.
ments would be left with only the bare
skeleton of the sVaff organizations that
| we have had for the administering of
affairs in the United States alone previ.
GUS to the declaration of war with
Spain.
"The returns of the war department
show the strength of the regular army,
at this time, to be only few less than
| 10000 unlisted men. OF these there are
nearly $4,000 in Cuba and like mum.
ber in or enroute to the Philippines,
and in Porto Rico 1856, leaving the to.
tai enlisted men of the regular army in
the United States $4,000. or these 5000
are held in readiness for dispatch to re-
inforce the army at Manila. This would
leave the total enlisted strength of the
army within the United States less than
$4,000, or nearly 1900 less than is ne.
cessary to furnish q single relief to man
the guns now on our seacoast fortifca.
tions. 1t would compel the abandon.
ment of all our posts in the interior,
would strip the Indian country OF
troops and leave none to supply the re.
quirements of an exigent condition.
"At this time there is not an officer
on duty with any college in the United
States.
Neither has it (the department,
been able to attach officers to our en-
bassies and legations abroad. There
should be one at every European capital
there are now but three in all, and
those who were recalled to participate
in the war cannot be returned.
1.-THE passage of the Hawley bill
would enable the department to meet
this urgent requirement and also to re-
establish the schools at Fort Leaven
worth, the artillery school at Fort
Monroe and the cavalry and light artil
lery school at Fort Riley, all Of which
are now closed for the want of officers
The passage of the Cockrell bill would
discharge at once all the volunteer quar-
termasters, medical officers, commits
sarles, many Of whom are officers of the
regular army, holding volunteer com
missions, and would leave the depart
ment with corps OF staff officers
wholly inadequate with the increased
demands that are being made from
every quarter.
The natives Of Cuba, Porto RicC
and the Philippines do not understand
our purposes and ways of government
:. sufficiently to admit of their bein(
made part Of our military establish
ment to the extent of organizing then
into companies, battalions and regl
ments at once. Our officers of creates
experience with them are of this opin
ion. In time this could doubtless b,
done, but it will require education"
| ----
Twenty-one Passengers Killed.
, BRUSSELS, Feb. 20.-An express trail
from Calais, having passengers from
H. \ ~