The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1894-10-22

A Proposal to Organise the Latter Into
nIyIrIonnI ReserNer for the Former.

A Proposal TO Organize the Latter late
divisional Reserves for the Former.
WAsnINGToN, Oct. o1.-While Gen. Schofeld
has made, in his annual report. strong plea fol
the increase of the army, n writer in the United
Service Magazine takes the opposite view, hold
ing that the country needs no larger force OF
regular soldiers than 1t has now.
The reasons he gives for this belief may be
briefly stated. First comes our geographical
situation, with an ocean barrier between us and
Europe. Next. our political isolation from Eu-
rope and its affairs Thirdly, the Monroe doc
trine, which, tacity complied with by European
nations, in serving to keep their armies from
this continent has relieved us from the need Of
keeping up ornaments like theirs FOurthly
comes our Governments refusal. in 1886. to join
France and England in the Ostend manifesto for
the abolition of privatecrng; since this refusal,
in notifying great maritime nations that we
should be free to attack their merchant vessels In
case of war with them cxcrtcd and still exerts
among their commercial interests "A powerful
influence in favor of their maintaining peace
with us. Filthy Is noted the use here Of State
militia 10 control those domestic disturbances
which in other countries call out the regular
army. Finally, the habit of self-govcrnment and
the general respect for law among our people
usually make the mere display of a handful OF
The real uses OF the little army, according to
this view, are to protect the Indian frontier,
which needs less and less protection every year;
to respond to the calls for its aid In the
cution Of the laws and the protection Of States
from domestic violence: to garrison our
board and frontier forts, and above all, to form
the nucleus for larger army and a seminary Of
officers In case of war. Stll, the possibility OF
war must always be kept in view and prepare
tion made for it. The supplementary force now
In existence Is the organized volunteer militia
of the states, which would DO first called upon
to take the field In case of a foreign or civil war
This upon the whole Is not only very good
source Of reliance especially where target prac-
tice is thoroughly kept up, and annual encamp-
ments accustorn the troops to be ready for field
service, but 1t Is also very cheap service. even
In the states that make the most liberal ex-
Hut Mr.. James makes one rather noteworthy
suggestion for the Improvement of the State
militia, or rather for securing IA greater degree
OF efficiency for it In connection with the regu-
lar army. He proposes that there should be as
twenty fifth part Of the State troops, having re-
lines, and without dividing existing orgnniza-
tons Then each regiment, with Its reserve,
Sod ,S be mGae 9rsde or dys1n in se Of
For example. the Massachusetts, militia. with
Ola men OF all arms might form, with the
strong. with the Second Infantry, would form
another such divisions the National Guard OF
visions, with the Third and Fourth Infantry,
and SO on. the division or brigade of militia be-
One advantage In such n system Is thought
to be that the Colonies Of the regular regiments
could be intrusted with the duty Of promoting
possible means, The inspecting officers often
would then be furnished by these
Colonies from their own regiments respectively,
kept constantly with the militia reserve for i'm
parting instruction: such officers could visit
the armories in the larger cities and towns
and give instruction In the form Of lectures,
with discussions on practical subjects. tending
to fit the command for better service In time OF
war. In addition, the regul ar and militia troops
should. as far rs possible be brought together
in the same encampments.
There is an idea in all this that is worth con-
stdering, although its statement In the present
form suggests TOO many obstacles. II has often
organized militia would he much greater ii
more direct and constant bonds Of union could
Ing 10 the regular infantry regiments reserve |
Of such, militia is based evidently on the ex-
he atter afery and cavalry Sass e eassps
li"nal save In n few large cities. But the fact
as a5 the OF
most Of the infantry, for example, being sta
TONED far west Of tho centre Of population. |
regiment and It's reserve IN most cases distant |
and almost fanciful Something might be gained |
the militia nj s camp aa %i fw sSs
shifting of regiments through changes of sta |
lion and of portion of the officers of the regi-
nents through promotion even this advantage |
might prove less than IL seems.
There Is, however one form Of reserve which |
teens more feasible, although 1t would be on
he artillery more than the infantry, and its |
basis would be the garrisoned post rather than
he regiment. system which should make an
lrmy post the centre Of instruction and care for
he militia organizations In its neighborhOod |
night become very practical and vital. This Is
more especially worth noting as to the seaboard
night be created out OF the militia OF the State
m auxiliary garrison for every army post within
= 3, limits, The best method Of accomplishing
roper number 81 companies to serve distinctive
y as heavy artillery. Or, II q seabOard state al
eady has as large National Guard force as II
Wishes 10 maintain, one or more regiments or O
certain number OF battalions or companies could
'e converted into heavy artillery, The state
would still have the services OF such orVaniza- |
ions for its own purposes, and yet il would know
hat a part of It's force was trained to render
pecial service In the use OF the heavy guns OF
such auxiliary seaboard garrisons would be
eseryes Tor the army in the truest sense. Their
PROXIMITY 10 the garrisons with which they |
we're connected would make their relations with |
hem vital Their regular drills would be. "a
ar as practicable, al the forts; instead OF going
MO the state eneampments they would pass a
week az the FORTS Thus, In any emergency they |
onh be relied upon for service at an hours
al, or they could perhaps themselves garrison |
ne r9rts ana allow the regular troops to move
uch system seemed that a measure was once |
ntrodueed into Congress for the creation OF an |
p1itlery reserve force 20 be under the direct
citizen soldiers who would only have thirty
avs OF service in each year. hut the State
1iitias Themselves might furnish reserve OF
noulu De voluntary on their part, by agreement |