The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-04-16
Concerning Thai
New Military Bill
From the Wilkes-Barrc Record.

From the Wilkes-Barrc Record.
6P HE military bill introduced by Rep
resentative Connell, of the Lack
aWanna district. is the most COM
prehcnsivc measure of the kind
that has ever been presented for
the consideration of congress. 1t pro-
NldeS a plan which empowers the prcsi-
dent to organize an army OF 100000 men,
apportioned according to the arms-bear-
ing population among the states. The Pc
riod of enlistment is for three years, and
while the troops so organized will retain
their identity as state organizations the
several commands will be subject to the
orders of the president in case of war,
insurrection or invasion. The president
may at his discretion mobilize these
troops in the several states for the pur-
pose of instruction, inspection, parades
reviews, etc. for q period not exceeding
twenty days in each year. When this is
done liberal comper satiOn and allowances
are provided for, to be paid by the United
States government.
o
Existing state military organizations
(such as the National Guard regiments of
Pennsylvania sgnifying a Willingness to
become part of this proposed National
Guard of the United States" will be re-
quired, before being accepted, to sub
NIT TO an inspection by an officer detailed
by the president. Any state refusing to
organize its Quota of the National
Guard of the United States" will forfeit
its right to the appointment Of its own
officers. and the president may go on
and effect the organization, and the guard
so organized shall then become eXclu-
sively United States troops. In time Of
peace the proposed military organization
will be subject to the orders and control
of the governors of the respective states,
the same as at present.
%
The bill is the outcome Of the finally
admitted fact that under existing COndi-
tiOns the organized state troops cannot be
called into the active service of the United
States by the president. lie has no con-
troll whatever over them in their organ
lied capacity. Under the provisions of
this bill, if carried out in its full purpose,
there would always exist an organize |,
equipped ana at least partially drilled re-
serve of 300. 900 men who could be called
out by the president at once In an emer-
gency. This would mean state militia
that could be instantly utilized. Men who
enlisted would do so knowing that they
were liable at any and all times to be
called into active service. either of the
| state or nation, during the period of
their enlistment. The national govern
mcnt could then feel that it was not linn
| tied to the small regular army, but that
| it had a reliable reserve of aCO,0pO men to
| fall back upon for reinforcemcnts.
Mr.. Connells bill has every appear
| ance of having been evolved by some one
| familiar with military affairs and who
has given the subject OF effective state
| military organization good deaf of at
| tention. The plan suggested by Mr.. Con-
nelrs bill appears to be not only feasible
but in every way practicable. If there
| existed such an organized reserve force
| in the states it would serve to give the
United States military status in the
| eyes of the world such as we have never
| had, and would be as conducive To the
| maintenance of peace as is a powerful
| navy. To all intents and purposes 1t
| " ould give US all the prestige of a stand
| ing army of 100000 men without any OF
! the Objectionable features of such mill
tary establishment as is maintained in
| European countries.