The record-union., 1899-02-20
ARMY REORGANIZATION.
WAR DEPARTMENTS STATE
MENT CONCERNING IT.
Shows the Relative Merits Of the
Cockreu and Hull
Bills.

ment from the War Department on
pending army legislation and the needs
of the service was issued to-day. In
part it is as follows:
"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 (known as the HulD
bin, is reported with but few amend
ments by it's Chairman, Senator Haw-
ley, am expert in matters relating to
military organization. 1t has been per-
fected by the committee, including the
Democratic members, In several par
ticulars: the most noteworthy and val
able being, perhaps, the provision in
creasing the corps of cadets by 100 and
insuring an adequate source of supply
for vacant Second Lieutenantcies. The
measure preserves the present organiza-
ton and slightly strengthens the cav
airy, 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 abb
solutely Indispensable
The other bill is brought forward by
Senator Cockrell It's first section di-
reefs the disarmament of the volunteer
army within a specified period after the
peace treaty shall have been ratified
by Spain. Sections and 3 contain its
principal provisions BY the former
authority is conferred for continuing
the regular army at it's war strength
until July /, 1901. while the third Sec
ton authorizes the President to raise
military forces to the number of 80, 900
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 ISL
ands of the Pacific, to be composed of
the inhabitants of such islands. No
organization 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
educational or other test is prescribed
Tor the persons who are to officer H.
Inc bill does not provide for any addi-
tional general officers greatly needed in
the administration of affairs in Cuba,
Porto Rico and the Philippines. It
would leave the army as now organized
with but three Major Generals and six
E'ri3adier Generals, which allows but
one general officer for each of the mill
tary departments in the United States
anu one for Commanding General of the
army"
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. The
Hawley bill fixes the permanent mill
tary establishment at the minimum of
5OO0O, force less in proportion to pop
ulation and wealth of country than
fixed by any other Act of Congress.
The passage Of the Hawley bill would
enable the department to meet this ur-
gent requirement and also to re-estab-
lish the schools at Fort Leavenworth.
the artillery school at Fort Riley. all
OF which are now closed for The want
of officers. The passage of the Cock
rell bill would discharge at once all
the volunteer quartermasters, medical
officers, commissaries, among whom
are officers OF the regular army holding
volunteer commissions and would leave
the department with corps of officers
wholly inadequate for the increased de-
mands that are being made from every
quarter The bill reported by Senator
Hawley provides only for the absolute
needs of the service, on lines OF eff
cheney and economy.
1t was at the instance of Mr.. Hull,
prepared under the supervision of the
Adjutant General Of the army, of Cen
eral Schwan. Colonel Carter, Majors
Heistand, Johnston and Simpson, OIL
GERS of long service and high ability
The passage of the Hawley bill would
give promotion to officers that have
earned it by the hardest kind of from
tier and battle service. Otherwise, our
gallant officers must go without reward
beyond a sense of duty well done.
The statement concludes as follows:
The natives of Cuba, Porto Rico and
the Philippines do not understand our
purposes and ways of government suffi-
GENTLY to admit Of their being made
part Of our military establishment to
the extent of organizing them into COM
panies, battalions and regiments at
once. Our officers of greatest expert
ence with them are of this opinion. In
time this could doubtless be done. but
it will require education. BY degrees
a, company could be given to regiment
to be utilized as scouts and guides;
further on battalion could be added,
and in time, things working we'll, raei-
ments could be- organized, but 1t will
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