The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-11-21
Thinks 1t Would BE Injudicious to Es-
tablish an Arbitrary Ratio, Such
as Proposed by the General.
SUGGESTS A COMPROMISE
BY PERMITTING THE PRESIDENT TO
USE HIS DISCRETION.
Believes the Problem Can Be Solved
by Empowering Mckinley to In
crease and Reduce the Army.
Special to the indianapolis Journal.

NOV. ZD-General t1aW-
ley, of Connecticut, chairman of the Sen
ate committee on military affairs, said to-
day that soon Secretary Root returns
to Washington from his Cuban trip the
work of formulating bill to provide for
a reorganization of the army will proceed
without delay 81 understand that Mr..
Root will return next Monday" said SEN
ator Hawley, ''and as soon as he arrives
we will be able to learn what the plans
and ideas of the department are and frame
a bill that will meet all requirements. Just
what will be the provisions of the bill to be
agreed on in committee and reported to the
Senate is, of course, a matter OF specula-
ton. The War Department officials will
Of course. have ideas on the subject which
will guide us In getting the bill into pre-
sentable shape.
II do not favor the proposition of Gen.
Miles to establish an army upon pro rata
basis. He thinks the country should have
one soldier for every 1000 inhabitants, but
in my Judgment that idea is not at all prac-
ticable. / do not think it would be judi
between the strength of the army and the
population. The whole subject should be
based upon the laws of demand and the
size of the army establishment should de-
pend largely upon the military needs of
the country. According to General Miles's
plan we would have an army OF $1,000 men.
the population of the country at the pres
ent time being. in round numbers 100000.
1t can be readily seen that his idea fails
at once to come up to requirements. An
army of $1,000 men is not of sufficient
strength to meet the demands of the coun-
frxy in VIA Of ha for hat In
the Philippines are continuing and opera
lions there are to be pushed to decisive
conclusion. In my opinion army of not
less than 100000 and perhaps more, should
be maintained at the present time. In the
near future, of course, there may be cause
for a reduction, but this number at least
ought TO be agreed on at this time.
MAY BE LEFT TO MKINLEY.
Again, I think a measure might be
passed empowering the President to use
his discretion to a great extent in deter
mining the exact strength of the army,
not, of course, to exceed the maximum
fixed by Congress. He is good judge of
just what the military needs of the Ma
ton and can view the situation from
standpoint that enables him to figure out
closely just what number of men is re-
quired. Under conditions such as those
existing at the present, for instance, the
President could recruit an army of what
ever proportions he deemed necessary to
handle the Filipino insurrection, and on the
conclusion of that work he could reduce
the number of troops in proportion to ex-
listing needs. This think would be most
excellent solution of the whole problem. L
do not believe the military affairs commit
tee will agree to any plan looking to the
establishment of army on a pro rata
basis That idea is not at all logical
''In my opinion" continued Senator Haw-
lev. Congress will take some action on
the bill providing for the construction Of
the Nicaraguan canal. / was disappointed
when 1 learned that it would be impossible
for the members of the Nicaraguan canal
committee to meet this fall. as we agreed
TO do, as sincerely hope TO see this propo-
sition brought to favorable conclusion
The Senate, / think, will dispose of the
Hay-Pauncefote treaty now pending. This
will make room for the passage of the
canal bill proper. am in favor OF fortify-
ing this waterway in case the United States
decides to construct it. 1t is absolutely
necessary that we maintain forts along the
line of the canal. 1t is not necessary to
have formidable Notifications there, but
We all understand the fckleness and I'M
certainties pertaining 10 the administra-
ton Of the South American republics, and
there is no telling just what protection
might be necessary at times. No country
can reasonably object TO that plan. Mill
tary stations provided for along the line
could be placed solely for defensive pur-
poses, and no nation on earth could doubt
our sincerity and good faith. 1t would be
the only safe plan.
RESTRICTED REPRESENTATION.
"As to the problem of restricted South
ern representation in Congress 1 want to
say that this is no time for the precipita-
ton of such an important matter We
will not have the time or opportunity 10
discuss this subject. 1t must come be-
fore US I'm a long session of Congress II
would lead to violent and also endless de-
bate In the Senate Ii would be difficult
to put a stop to such a discussion. This
Is a matter that can wait believe. how
ever, that the Constitution contemplated
the reduction OF congressional representa-
ton under certain circumstances IL the
Southern Or any other States do not al
low certain classes of people - vote IT is
only logical that the Nation should call
on them for a reduction in their representa-
ton. 1t would only be Just There are
thousands OF citizens denied the right of
suffrage who are absolutely without fepre
sentatiSsl in the House and Senate Hay-
ing cast no vote they can, OF course. lay
no claim to having representation there.
It would be only natural. therefore. for
the remainder OF the country to stem in
and reduce the number OF representa- tivos
from the States In which such conditions
prevail.
i believe that the passage OF the ship