San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1895-01-09
ARMY NEWS.
1t is Proposed to Create an Active
Army Reserve.

Army Reserve.
REPORTED SPECIALLY FOR THE LIGHT.
One OF the important questions that
will be brought up at the next session Of
Congress, says the New York Sun, relates
to the increase OF the regular army. The
experience obtained in the great railroad
strike last summer makes II probable that
an increase will be urged with greater
earneStneSS than In the past Ihe re-
port OF Adiutant Gene al RuggleS, re-
Gently publ shed, advocates the enlarge
ment Of the enlisted force by the addi-
ton OF 5000 men. This would result In a
numerical strength of 10000 men. or the
present force General RuggLeS says only
20. 600 are available. In the event OF an
increase To 10000 the effective force
wonld be "a 600.
The direct result of the report OF the
adjutant general was the draughting OF
bill which provides for the increase ad
vocated by the War department. Another
bill has been prepared by those who be
lieye that the regular army should i'm
mediately be doubled 1t Is said that the
War department believes that the army
should be doubled, but that the officials
hesitate to ask for the necessary legiSla
ton 10 the face of the enormous increase
In cost involved. The expenditures
would be more than doubled, as the cree
ton of quarters for the accommodation OF
the new men would mean extensive ap-
propriations. A third plan has been pro-
posed under these circumstances. 1t Is
understood that the department approves
1t and has requested army officers Of high
rank to give their opinion OF 1t. The bill
prepared to carry out this Olan provides
for the classification of tie army into
three divisions, viz: the active, the active
reserve and the retired.
The active army is TO consist Of $4,000
men, as at present. II possible an in
crease Of 5000 active men will be made.
The active reserve army is to be com
posed entirely Of veterans, or rather of
old soldiers. All men who have serve d
hOnorably for fifteen years In the regu-
lar army and who are then serving in IL,
may transfer to this active reserve. All
men who have served hOnOrably for
twenty years In the regular army and
who are then serving in it, must transfer.
The retired army will be made up as at
present, of those men retired under the
provisions Of the present army regula-
lions.
The active reserve will draw half pay.
II will be arranged sin districts just as
the active army is now arranged in de-
partmentS. Each district will have for
its mmand ng general the general com
manding the department of the active
will be required to live hin the limits
of their district. They will be permitted
to work as citizens, always holding them
selves in readiness for military service.
| a time OF duty they will receive full pay
and allowances. Each diStricl will have
an armory capable Of providing quarters
for all the mer OF the district.
In times OF peace half rations or com
mutation for such will be provided for the
nc pln t a ~
che half that is granted soldier IN the
active army. The different districts will
he required to perform months field
duty every year and take part in
the rifle competitions in the depart
ments In which they are situated.
The system OF discharge and all other
regulations established for the active
army shall operate also with the ac-
tive reserve army in so far as discipline
and administration are concerned.
The offering OF the active reserve is
pin Oh VIII CHI there has been much dis
cussion. This is the present idea: Re-
tired colonies still competent will become
district commanders, reporting to the de-
Dartment commanders Of the active army.
The other field and line officers down TO
but not including captains will be
available field and line officers on
the retired list. The captains and
first and second leutenants will be
taken from the non commissioned officers
OF the active reserve, promotion to be by
competitive examination under present
rules modified 10 regard to age and minor
qualifications In special cases captains
may be taken from retired commissioned
officers. All commissioned officers of the
active service are subject to retirement
under existing laws, with rank, pay and
allowances as now in force.
The active reserve will be limited TO
-, 900 men, whose maintenance will be
nalf that OF the 25.O0O men or the active
army II Is evident that economy and
efficiency are what the projectors OF this
plan aim at. Army officers favor 1t for
| its exceptional opportunities for promo
ton. Enlisted men will favor II for its
peculiar advantages in atfOlding capable
non commissioned officers, who are toe
old under present requirements, TO win
| commissions, and In providing the chance
| for soldier to try the outside world
| again.
1t is estimated that 1000 OF the present
army of 5000 are men who have served
| faithfully fifteen years or Whereabouts.
| They will form the nucleus OF the active
reserve. Within three years 1000 more
active soldiers would join them. For the
| next five years 1900 more regulars wOulC
| join the active reserve from the active
| army. III JbD years lUUJO utu anu uOlt
would transfer from the active army.
| One of the high officials OF the army
commenting 10 writing on the plan, says
at will surely succeed. | am confident
1t would be stimulus for those in ser
| vice, and AN attraction 10 young mel
Of good character to join the army. l
would be decided benefit to the cOuntr!
at large. as it would return all soldiers u
citizen life after fifteen years service
at the same time giving the gov
eminent regular trained body o
men unimpeachable for bravery
: discipline, and behavior under tryin
circumstances, and under direct contrC
of the president. It's effect would ais
tend to lessen the necessity for state mill
tia. an institution which perhaps may b
rather a hindrance than a help in sup
; pressing the troubles of the future be
| couSa ~ tho 9 ( m ma hv of tho militiamp