Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-10-15
The Reorganization Of the National Guard.


opinion all over the country that in
years Ito o-ss come e~ the National
Guard will receive vastly more
attention than it has in years
past. This desire has already been
given distinguished expression-not-
ably in the platform of the Massachu
sets Republicans, and in a recent ad-
dress of Colonel Theodore Roosevelt.
The press of the country appears to be
almost unanimous in the, opinion that
a more efficient organization of the
guard should be effected; but there has
been thus far no very definite views as
to the lines along which this should
be accomplished.
The Journal. long before the out
break of the war with Spain, urged the
necessity of a greater interest on the
part of the national government in the
equipment and discipline of the militia
forces of the various states. We GER
tainly hope that this subject will re-
ceive at the next session of Congress,
the serious attention it so justly
merits, and which, for the first time in
many years. conditions appear to be
favorable for its receiving. We believe
that the National Guard should every
where be under much closer supervi-
sion by the general government. Any
law which may be enacted upon this
important subject should, in our juds-
ment, embody the following provisions.
l. Every soldiers admitted to the Ma
'tional Guard should be required to sign
an agreement to serve the United
States government for a period not ex
ceeding two years in case of need, and
should be given physical examination
by United States surgeons, in accord
ance with the rules in force in the
regular army.
2. All the troops of the National
Guard should de fully equipped at all
times, for immediate service in the
field. This equipment should DE fully
up to date. and, in order that uni
formty may be secured, should be
supplied. under proper restrictions, by
the general government.
3. Not only should regular army Off
acers be present at every annual en-
campment of state troops, but also de-
tachments of well drilled United States
regulars in order that the members of
occasions, the benefit of example rs
we'll as precept.
L. All organizations of the National
Guard should be kept recruited up to
full strength.
There are doubtless many other pro-
visions which might properly be en-
bodied in a national law providing for
better organization of the National
Guard. BY giving this important mat
ter careful and intelligent considera-
tion, our government will have, at COM
paratively small expense, a magnifi-
cent reserve army ready to take the
field at short notice.
1t is gratifying to notice the wide
spread interest that is now being felt
in this subject, and there is every 3rea-
son to hope that out of the public dis
cusson of it, will come results OF
practical and permanent value-results
which shall materially increase the
effectiveness of our National Guard
and give the general government 8
vastly larger measure of military
strength than it has ever had before
The experiences of the war have pretty
thoroughly demonstrated the fact tina
effective armies are not to be conjurei
into existence, like Jonahs gourd, IL
a night. 1t is reasonable to assume
therefore. that any measure Whic;
may now be brought before Congress
will be free from the opposition D
those peanut headed statesmen who, il
years past have seriously contended
that such feats of military jugglery
We're not only possible but entirel!
feasible.