Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-12-08
AN ARMY WHILE YOU WAIT.

IL
Congress met on December 3d. In
just four days the House passed an act
authorizing the permanent increase of
the standing army to 100. 600 men. There
was practically no serious considera-
ton given the measure Debate was
strictly limited. No proposition to
specify time for the reduction of the
army was entertained for a moment by
the majority. A permanent standing
army of 100000 men or nothing seems
to have been the slogan of the Republic
cans. and in four days the work was
half done.
This is pretty far cry from the be-
ginning OF G.000 men. which sufIiced for
the needs of the country in the early
days when there was more justification
for large army than Is the case at
present; when the murdrous Indian
!urked along the nations borders; when
it was weak and it's enemies were
strong. What use has the United
States for a standing army of leo, 900
men? Is II to quell the insurrection in
the Philippines? We have the solemn
assurance Of Mr. McKinleys commits
sion that 1t is practically quelled: that
police duty is all that remains for the
military. II this be true two years
should be sufficient to restore order
and SO quiet the islands that a regi-
ment or two of American troops, some
native troops with American officers
and native constabulary will suffice
to maintain the peace and enforce the
law.
An army of 10O,O 900 men, on the Presi-
dents own showing. cannot be a per-
manent necessity for service in the
Philippines. Why did the House refuse
TO consider any provision looking to
reduction of the army when peace shall
be restored i'll those islands: For the
very sufficient reason that the army Is
not wanted for service in the Philip
pines, but in the United States. The
restoration of stable and peaceful con-
ditions in the Philippines was and is a
secondary consideration to the perma-
nent increase OF the standing army.
Otherwise. why not provide for the re-
duction of the army when it Is no
longer needed for negro-sticking in
Luzon?
The United States has no need of a
standing army of 100000 men to de-
fend it against attacks from without.
1t has no need OF an army OF such
numbers for any purpose of legitimate
defense. What Is the purpose of It?
For use against American citizens-all
in the name OF law and order, of course.
A large standing army was a part of
the compact between Republican lead
ers and the fiscal interests that
financed the little political transaction
so skillfully managed by Mr.. Hanna.
Between the sinking of Cervera's fleet
and the signing of the treaty of Paris
there was developed q deliberate plan
TO make the United States military
power and the purchase of the Philip
pines, and their subsequent subjugation
were mere incidents and details in this
general scheme.
Does anybody suppose for a moment
that there is any purpose to reduce the
army below the 1000 maximum this
Congress will fix? If so he Is under an
objectionable delusion. The Republi-
cans have the Senate for years to come
Once recruit the army to a fixed num-
Der, with no provision for its reduc-
ton. and how are you going to get an
act through the Republican Senate re-
ducing it at some later day? 1t can't
be done. Let the Senate pass-as it
will do-the army reorganization bill
and mIlitarism becomes a fact accom-
plishcd We shall never have less of it:
We shall Ger -ainly have moro Of it.
With an empty stomach and soldier
on hrs oacH, The wise 4tl-rican voter
Will have abundant leisure before he is
d dec lds olde- 10 comprehend just what
he did when he pinned his faith TO the
full dinnerpail and glory.