The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-06-04
A NATURAL ARMY RESERVE.

A NATURAL ARMY RESERVE.
The call Of the president for volun-
teers was promptly responded to and
with genuine patriotic fervor. but the
government has nevertheless been en-
barTassed by the demands OF organiza-
tons Of q military character already
established and which formed the only
adequate reserve from which trained
men could be drawn. Those demands
have usually taken the form OF wish
on the part of members Of the National
Guard OF the several states to con-
ainue the identity of the bodies OF which
they formed a part. There Is nothing
discreditable In this local and state
pride. but Ii has led 10 condition
which must cali for revision OF our
entire military system.
The National Guard was instituted
not for the purpose of training soldiers
who could be made available for service
In the regular army. but TO provide
local system OF militia available for
home defense only. Many men con-
ceived Ii 10 be their duty to put them
selves into condition for home service
whose circumstances would not permit
them to entertain the idea OF being part
Of the regular army except In a case OF
emergency. when they could be OF value
In supporting the state government.
One result of this liz that we have found
National Guard organizations refusing
30 become a part of the regular army.
and this Is accompanied by offers of
men with no military experience to
raise regiments OF raw recruits In re-
turn for commissions to command them.
while experienced National Guard Off
GERS have been unable to secure a COM
maud.
II this country is TO pursue the policy
Of placing Itself during peace In a posi-
ton to resent foreign interference or in
vasion. some provision must be made
for an army reserve We know that
there are legal obstacles TO this. but
mono that cannot he overcome either by
congressional act or. X necessary. by
constitutional amendment II the Fed
eral government had the power, which
u now possesses In time OF war. TO call
permanently upon each state To furnish
E quota for a national army reserve.
wa should not be again placed in the
present embarrassing condition. Each
state might be required 20 raise and
maintain military body In proportion
90 it's population. but formed upon lines
In harmony with the regular army.
Then. In case ot war. ths regiments
would be kept intact.
The question Of differing state MILL
harry bodies. which forms an important
part az such plan. has been comment
III upon and answered by a military
authority. who suggests that all officers
above shs rank OF Northumberland
should be- appointed hy the president,
an the nomination Of governor. and
after having PASSED an examination by
board presided over by SIN officer OF
ths regular army. Officers below the
rank Of cclone, could be elected ey a
sysi-n similar to that now In use.
Such plan. he considers, would re-
move all the difficulties now so prornl-
neat. Companies would stu be able to
elect their cwn Officers. and regimen tai
organizations would be preserved In
case 81 a cali for war service.
The systetn Of election FOR such posi-
tons is open 10 son.e objection. but
that w0al1 be removed II orscers were
compelled to pass aa examination by a
military authority. Once thus cstao-
Ished. there would - no fear ~ ex-
pesienced enieers being pushed aside in
ev,3er 70 make way fer men with ps,-
Niical pain.
One vital difference between the PRES
\ ent system ana that proposed 5 TIA;
! men woali enlis, IN thsse orxan.s rs
with The fan knowledge tAas IN case Q.
war they would be e-aered ous. we %
not see. hs~eve-. how such plan could
be entirely e1ectuai unless the men