The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-02-13
SOME OF THE LESSONS TAUGHT.
Better State of Prepare ton Necessary
Too Much Divided Respon visibility.


The report now proceeds to take up the
subjects in their regular order, beginning
with the army. The report says: ION the
first day of April 1898, the strength of the
army was 2,143 officers and 5000 enlisted
men, total of 2S,1SS. War with the kingdom
of Spain was declared April q, 1898. On May
81, 125, 900 volunteers had been mustered into
the service. In August, 1898, the regular
army numbered $685., the volunteer army
2O7 PA, a total Of 269 500. These figures Of
themselves Indicate that an immense work
was thrown on the War Department. After
thirty-three years of peace, during a great
part of which the army did not exceed &c.
600 men, it suddenly became necessary to
arm, clothe, feed and equip more than a
quarter of a million. How that duty was
discharged will appear in detail in subse-
quent parts of this report
THE sudden emergency which called our
people to arms after an interval of half
century of peace with all foreign powers
was met by the War Department with earn
estness and energy. The situation found the
country unprepred with any large stock of
arms ammunition clothing supplies and
equipments That they were duly provided
and that the numerous demands on the in
duStrieS of our people were met so prompt
ly will remain one of the lnarvels of his
tory"
Speaking of the lessons taught by expert
ence, the report says: The rapldlty with
which commanding officers Of corps, divi-
siOns, brigades regiments and officers Of the
staff departments have prOtited by the first
six months service is shown in the i'm
provements in the new camps, their loca-
ton, water supply and sanitary arrange
ments. The weak spots in the first arrange
ments for camping troops were soon discov-
cred, and it was learned that with proper
c.e~af tam nd 10 hn
camped under favorable sanitary condl-
tons The present camps are models, the
hospitals adapted to the comfort and care
of the sick, the grounds clean, and the Sanl-
tary conditions greatly improved The
troops are now moved with promptness,
without friction and with more rapidity
than in the beginning OF the war. These i'm
provements have come from experience and
the new army now is far advanced in facil-
tiles for feeding, equipping, camping and
TRANSPORTATION"
A accommodation looking to the future
then follows: "One of the lessons taught
by the war is that the country should
hereafter be in a better state of preparation
for war. Suggestions have beer made thai
large supplies of all the material not liable
to deterioration should be kept on hand, to
be continuously issued and renewed, so that
in any emergency they might be available
Especially should this be the case with
such supplies which cannot be rapidly OBJ
tanned in open market.
1t is gratifying TO report that most Valu-
able assistance to our soldiers during the
war was rendered by various voluntary re-
lief associations the more conspicuous OF
which were the American National Red
Cross. the National Relief Commission, the
Daughters of the American Revolution, the
Army and Navy League and the Young
Mems Christian Association. Representa-
tives of these and other societies worked in
cooperation with many good men and
women in all the States and were present in
the camp hospital and on the field of battle.
To these societies and those who co-operated
with them the country owes debt Of graft
tude. There were many individual instances
of personal devotion TO the interest OF the
soldiers We do not name these beneficent
Iaborers here, but they will not be forgot
ten" -
Perhaps the most significant utterances in
the whole document, so far as concerns the
discipline and efficiency of the army comes
next: For many years the divided author
ity and responsibility in the War Depart
ment has produced friction. for which, in
the interest of the service, a remedy, If pos
sble should be applied. The Constitution
makes the President the Communicating
chief of the army, and he cannot transfer
that authority to eny other person. The
President selects his secretary of war, who
has his confidence and who is his confidential
adviser. The commanding general is as
signed to duty as such by the President,
and under the military laws OF the United
States his duties are defined as follows:
The command exercised by the COM
manding general of the army. not having
been made the subject OF statutory regula-
ton. Is determined by the order Of assign
ment. 1t has been habitually composed Of
the aggregate of the several territorial
commands that have been or may be created
by the President.
The military establishment is under or
ders OF the commanding general Of the army
in that which pertains to its discipline and
military control. The fiscal affairs of the
army are conducted by the secretary Of
war through the several stafr departments.
[Par 1S7, A. r. 1881
AL orders and Instructions from the