Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1900-05-11
STANDING ARMIES.
MENACE IN WAR AS WELL AS
IN PEACE.
One of the Lessons of the Battles In
South Afrloa-ThIs Country Should
Take Timely warning-Patriotlc volun-
teers Sufficient.

The progress OF the war in South
Africa is being followed with great ia
terest not only by the sympathizcrs
with both nations engaged, but by the
men who make a study of military af-
fairs and the necessity for maintain
ing standing armies. go.
The result of careful observation has
forced the belief upon the most skep-
tical that large standing armies care
fully drilled and thoroughly discipline.
are not to be depended upon against a
natural militia trained to the use OF
arms from childhood.
The English soldiers, always famed
for courage, steadiness and discipline,
have proved no match for the Beers,
self-trained in the use of firearms and
inspired by q love of liberty. In all
the battles and skirmishes fought the
English have never gained victory
except when outnumbering their OPP
ponents at least five to one. while the
Beers have scored several victories
when the odds against them were even
greater than that.
Experts, in considering the superior
lity of the Beers, take into considera-
ition all the advantages of the latter in
fighting on their own ground and in
defense of their country, but in spite
of these and other advantages they
conclude that armies of the Boer type
are much superior to those of the Eng
llish type. In short they conclude that
ian army composed Of men trained
from childhood to the use Of firearms,
either through the necessities of their
condition or through governmental en-
Encouragement, is superior to one made
iup of men barred from the use of arms
until old enough to enter the ranks as
soldiers. This is reasonable conclu-
lsion so far as craftsmanship is con-
,cerned, for every marksman knows
THAT very few sharpshooters are pro-
duced from men who have not been in
the habit of shooting from childhood.
Before the use of firearms the Eng
lish soldiers were the best in the world,
land their superiority has always been
credited to the fact that every boy was
mot only encouraged, but compelled, to
own and practice with the long bow
from Very early age. England main
tanned no standing army of conse-
quence in those days, but in case of
war the young men from the fields and
shops, each with his bow and arrows,
lflocked to the kings standard, and
though lightly and carelessly drilled,
they were the terror of the world.
1t is also pointed out that men who
fight only. for hire; as in the case with
incentive which urges the voluntary
soldiers in standing army, lack that
soldier to deeds of bravery in time Of
danger to his country. OF necessity the
citizen soldier is more intelligent than
the professional soldier and his love
of country is always greater.
These conclusions are of interest and
value to the people of the United
States at time when one political
party is demanding the organization
army and the other is demanding that
dependence for defense be placed in
citizen seldiery to be called into serv-
ice only when needed.
1t is evident that wise policy de-
mands that our regular army be kept
at the smallest limit necessary for sud-
den emergencies, and that the boys of
the country be encouraged to practice
in the use of firearms to the end that
while they shall not lose their useful
ness as citizens, they may in times Of
need become effective soldiers.