The times., 1899-10-24
The Army.

The Army
Among a number of alleged forecasts of
the next Presidential message to Congress,
we have read one according to which Mr.,
Mckinley will recommend some changes in
our Army organization, one being a pro
vision for the rank of full general, to be
held by the officer commanding in chief,
and for two lieutenant generalcies. If the
President has such an idea in mind, it is
a good one. Since we have outgrown our
bucolic prejudices to the extent Of toler-
atiug rear admirals, and even an Admiral,
it is about time We also provided ourselves
with generals of rank commensurate with
high command. The commodore has gone,
and the brigadier ought to follow him.
Both ranks have long since become pro-
visional only under modern governments.
When We have our Army thoroughly and
scientifically reorganized the small brigade
Of two or three weak regiments, familiar
in the Civil War, will be too obsolete to
talk about. The new brigade should and
10 doubt viii be as large, numerically as
strong, or approximately so, as the divi-
sion was formerly, and, at any rate, it
viii be big enough to justify command by
a major general. We should have lieu
tenant generals for corps and full generals
for armies like other nations.
While Mr. Mckinley is about it, he
might do worse than pay some attention
10 the problem Of home defence, which is
a matter that like many others of import
ance. has been allowed to remain unat-
tended to for too long a time. 1t is not to
be expected that the present generation of
Americans viii ever boone reconciled to
a large standing army in time of peace.
For years to come the present establish
ment viii be, perhaps the maximum that
popular sentiment will allow, and, under
conceivable conditions even that may be
considered too large But just in the pro-
portion that the people of the United
States expect to get along without 4 con-
siderable regular army, they will have to
begin to think about perfecting the sup
Elementary, and in a degree, the alterna-
tive arm OF the uniformed militia or Ma
tional Guard.
On paper, the country has quite re-
spectacle force Of this description, but for
general purposes not great deal more can
be said for it. Instead of the Federal Gov
eminent being always able to command
the services Of a hundred thousand citi-
zen soldiers, on the shortest notice, as a
foreigner would assume it to be on read
ing the yearly returns to the Adjutant
General, the experience of the Spanish war
has taught US that, for national purposes,
the National Guard is Of hardly any utiI-
ity. True, we can find here or there an
exceptional regiment, reasonably well
armed, equipped, and drilled, and ready
and willing TO respond to a summons; but
such cases are not numerous enough TO
change the terms Of the general PROPOSE
ton
There is not the least doubt that the pa
triotism and military spirit Of our Ameri-
can youth are great enough to furnish an
ample supply Of volunteer recruits for a
properly organized citizen military estab-
lishment But as things are now-all at
skies and sevens-nothing is to be ex-
peeted. IN some States moderate amount
of attention is paid to the forces of the
Commonwealth. This is true Of New York,
Pennsylvania, and Massachusetts. But,
taking the country at large, the National
Guard is in a pitiably ineffective condition
for even riot duty. Arms and equipment
vary, OF are old, obsolete, and nearly use
less. Drills and inspections are neglected
or degenerate into social functions, and
the standard Of knowledge and experience
demanded of commissioned officers is la
mentally low.
Military men have seen, realized. and de-
plored all this for years, because one Of the
most vital needs Of a nation circumstauced
as is ours is a reliable reserve force capa-
bic Of cooperating with the Regular Army
in the event of insUrrection or invasion
or Of effectively taking its place when it is
necessarily sent on foreign service. As we
have observed, the problem is a serious
one and should no longer be neglected.
And the first thing for the Government to
do is TO secure Congressional interest in
the matter, a full investigation Of the pos
zibilities and needs involved, and after
ward, appropriate action.
At present the matter is all at sea. The
duties Of the National Guard to the States
anu 10 llE A1ti-eiaA A1oN ct intent are mad
equately defined and in doubt Although
the acceptance by State governments, Of the
small annual allowance from Congress for
The support Of the militia, apparently is
a recognition Of the national character of
the force, there is in many places an idea
that the muitiaman is bound 10 serve as
q soldier only his own Commonwealth, and
is not liable to q call by the President for
service beyond its borders. This is a faI-
,acy which should be disposed Of and speed
lily, because it is, in eject, disintagauug
and unpatFioJic.
By the exercise Of a wise liberaIity, and
by providing for The scientific organ
izatiou and naturalization of the Ma
tlonal Guapd-wilhout however, destroy
ing its status as to the separate
statez-it would be possible 10 create a re-
serve army that would amount to some
ming. and we sincerely trust that PresI-
dent Mckinley vii. urge the subject upon
the attention Of Congress, and at once.
DR.. Andrews Innovation.
Dr. E. Benjamin Andrews recently OBJ
Jected 20 the use Of Kipling's Recession