The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-10-25
THE ARMY TO Be REDUCED
Secretary Roots Declaration in
Speech at Canton, Ohio.
A Defence Of the AdministrntiOn's
in the Field-Decrense to BE Made
on June 30, 1901, Unless There
BE Further Legislation Meantime.

ueut ana Mrs. Mchlnley at their CdutoI
home. They arrived this morning and
the President met them in person at the
station and, after they were seated in tbs
Mckinley surrey, dismissed the cCachman
and drove himself. Before lunch the
President and the Secretary took drive
about the city, and in the afternoon the
ladies' Joined them for another long drive.
Besides the social visit Secretary Root
came West to make a political address
at Youngstown, big iron town in the
old Mckinley district. Thursday night,
but as mark of respect to ex-Secretary
Sherman all meetings scheduled for Ohio
towns Thursday and Thursday night were
either postponed or entirely abandoned.
The Secretary. however, made a speech
in the Mckinley district, in the Mckinley
home, in fact. Late this afternoon the
local committee found that they could
secure the Secretary for an address. and
without any advance arrangements in
vited the people to meet in the Taber-
nacle and hear the Secretary Of War
speak.
Secretary Root said in part:
"A heavy burden of proof rests upon
ject the further services Of the Republic
can Administration. Under that Admins
tration the legitimate objects OF govern
ment have been attained to a degree
which challenges comparison with the
happiest periods in the life of any nation
in any age. Never in human history any
where on earth have security for life and
property, unfettered opportunity for in
telligence and energy. individual free
dom, and the self-respect of manhood at
tanned a higher level than now mark the
condition of this fortunate Republic.
I'm April. 1898, Spain had an army Of
400, 600 veteran troops, and a navy which
in numbers and armament appeared and
was generally believed to be at least equal
to ours. The whole Continent of Europe
anticipated that Spain would hold the
land and sweep the seas, blockade our
ports, and Illustrate our arms until Eu-
ropean Intervention should paralyze our
superior ultimate resources. But whose
ships were ready and stanch and sound!
Whose ammunition was honest and effect
i've? Whose soldiers and sailors were
trained? Who swept the seas? Whose
flag floats over Santiago and San Juan
and Havana and Manila? Find, IL YOU
can, anywhere in history so great results
secured against SO considerable foe by
force of arms on land and sea in so brief
time and with so small loss Of life.
1T is charged that the present Admins
tration is in favor of increasing the Regu-
lar Army, and this is said to be militar
ism, a crime that endangers the liberty OF
the Republic. 1t is said that the Presi-
dent, in his message to Congress in the
fall of 1898. asked that the number be
fixed at 100000. That was a reduction, not
an increase. On the LIST of September.
1895. we had 1900 soldiers under arms
6,OeO regulars and 216,000 volunteers.
When the Presidents message was sent to
Congress the protocol had been signed.
but the treaty had not been signed, peace
had not been made. Spain had not evacu-
ated Cuba, hostile army surrounded our
troops in Manila.
at would have been folly to disband our
army as the preliminary to negotiations.
and the President could have retained
that entire army until after the ratifica-
tion of the Treaty of Peace in April, 1899.
The volunteers were anxious and
insistent upon being permitted to re-
turn to their homes. and what the
President asked Of Congress was to
authorize the enlistment of $4,000 in
the Regular Army to take the place Of
216, geo volunteers discharged: that his ad-
vice was not unreasonable is shown by
the fact that Congress at that very ses-
sion. by the votes of both parties. author
lied an army of the precise number for
which the President called. making it
60. eco regulars and $1,000 new volunteers.
What is the Regular Army OF the United
States? 1t is body of American citizens
provided for by the Constitution and or
ganized in the year 1889 under the first
of George Washington. Its du-
ty is to man the sea-coast Notifications.
which protect our harbors and great cities
against hostile attack, and to garrison the
military posts along our frontiers. and at
such strategic points in the country as
Congress determines to be suitable; to be
always ready to fight for their country in
any sudden emergency which may come
upon us before there is time to raise a
volunteer force, and during the time while
such a force is being raised; to constantly
study. experiment upon. and exercise with
all the improvements in military science,
both in arms, ammunition. equipment. sup
plies, sanitation. transportation. drill. and
tactics to furnish a nucleus of officers
and men thoroughly familiar with the
business. for the Strengthening and more
ready instruction of volunteer army
whenever that shall become necessary.
THE kind of emergency which the Reg
llar Army has to meet is well illustrated
by recent events in China. Far from us as
China is our troops were sent there and
Hid their business. and are coming away
again, in less time than il would have
been possible to raise and equip and pre-
pare a single regiment of volunteers. This
was because the troops and the transports
and material were ready to move on the
instant.
The authorized number of the Regular
Army today is $1,000, but on the 30th of
Iupe next il will unless there be further
legislation in the mean time. be reduced
to 1880, substantially the number at
which it has stood for the past twenty
seven years: but as the country has grown
in its population and its multitude OF in
terests. as cur seacoast Notifications have
been increased. under the leadership of
Samuel J. Tilden. and upon plans prepared
by the first Administration of Cleveland.
as the art of war has become more scien-
tific and complicated. more men are nee
essary to perform the same duties than
were able to perform them years ago.
THE army OF 1880 is only about one
third as large in proportion to our popu-
aticn as our army was thirty years ago |
The question how large the army should
be is simple business question as to how
many men are necessary to perform Ger
tain specific duties. The last Congress |
fixed upon 100000 in view of the condi |
lions then existing. The next session of |
Congress Will probably determine how |
many are requisite under the conditions |
then existing. Specially be!igerent people |
will probably ask for too many, specially |
economical congressman will probably in |
sist upon too few. | think we can assume |
that about the right conclusion will be |
reached"