Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-03-30
Proposition to Create a National Vol
unteer Reserve.
FAVORED BY FAMOUS FIGHTERS
Plan Of the Project Which is A.
ready Under Way.
APPROX WING COMMENT

It is proposed to create national volun-
| teer reserve, whose objects shall be to
strengthen the available military and naval
forces of the United States by the organi-
zation of the citizens sodiery of patriotic
volunteers of proper age and physical quail
| iffca tons to bear arms They shall sign an
enlistment blank agreeing in event of war
between the United States and any foreign
! rover to take up arms, if called upon by
| the constituted authorities of their state Of
! the United States through the lawful exist
| ing channels.
Headquarters Of the National Volunteer
Reserve have been established in New
York, from which enlistment blanks are
| sent out to where they will be best thought
available. VIM. OH. Washington is presi-
| dent of the reserve. The plan is highly
| commended by Major Generals o. o. How
| ard. A. Mod. McCook, Daniel E. Sickles,
Joshua l.. Chamberlain, Adelbert Ames,
James Longstreet, Brigadier Generals Thos.
| j. Wood, o. B. Wilcox, James Grant Will
| son, j. Fred Pierson and Lieutenant Cen
eral John M. Schofield.
Patriots Better Than Conscripts.
1t is believed that such an organization
| would bring out from 100000 to 100000
| volunteers. The statement has been made
! that one volunteer, patriotic and loyal and
| fighting for principle, is more valuable than
| two conscripts.
| 1t is intended that the permanent organ-
| zation will include the President Of the
| United States be ex-ofticio commander-in-
| chief, the Secretary of War to be ex-ofticio
vice commander of the military forces, and
| the general of the army commander; the
| Secretary of the Navy be ex-officio vice
commander of the naval forces and the
admiral Of the navy to be ex-officio COM
mander; the governor of each state to be
ex-oficlo commander of all the reserve of
his own commonwealth, and the adjutant
general of each state to be eX-ofticio vice
commander of the state.
A record and address Of all men enlisted
shall be kept at the headquarters, and the
original rolls transmitted direct to the War
and Navy Departments, there to be in
cluded and recognized in the summary Of
the military forces of the United States,
and a copy shall also be filed with the
governor of each state of the volunteers in
his commonwealth.
There shall also be a military committee
OF 100 veteran generals and admirals to
govern the National Volunteer Reserve,
ana TO give 1t proper standing and indcrSe-
ment before the country as a practical, pa
triotic and desirable branch Of the military
establishment.
! Easy Means Of Enlistment.
The following statement was made in a
circular sent out from the National Re-
serve Headquarters:
1T is an opportunity for this important
factor in our affairs to show it's influence
and power for the public good, and they
should unselishly take I'D the movement
and become thoroughly aroused and in
terested, and thus bring about the object
to be accomplished by publishing on some
national holiday, or at time of crisis, in
every newspaper throughout the United
States, enlistment blanks, which would
thus be placed in the hands of every man.
These will be cut out. and being signed
VIII become enlistments, which could either
be sent to the newspapers for transmits
sion to the War or Navy Department. or to
the central Headquarters of the National
Volunteer Reserve.
zens, who would lend their aid in time Of
war for defense. would assist in the forma-
ton of bulwark for the nation, and write
their names in the temple Of liberty and
place their lives at the service of their
country. Thus will be accomplished the
| magnificent support of Grand Army of
| individual Americans, who would be ready
and willing to support the Constitution and
defend their country's flag"
| Gen. o. o. Hovards Views.
Major General o. o. Howard, to whom
the matter submitted. said:
II think the plan excellent. An I'M
| armed reserve Of such large proportions
| will have a conservative effect in it's in
| iluence abroad and prevent pancs at home.
! There will result nothing especially of a
| iiiihldiy VI Waiihe CHttidcteI, Dul SIMPLY
the order and comradeship which will bind
| men together and increase their efforts to
| preserve perpetual peace. But should
| our cities and towns be exposed to destruc-
| ton by any foe, or the life of our beloved
| country be threatened. these quotas would
| be raised and offered 10 our administration
without uncertainty or delay
Dan. Sickles Will Join.
In commencing the plan, Major General
| Daniel e. Sickles of the U. S. army, re-
| tired, says:
| ut is patriotic undertaking, which will
| touch sympathetic chord everywhere. l
| can't help thinking that the scheme, to be
| of practical utility, should have the sane
direction of the War and Navy Depart
| ments. l should be happy to join you and
your associates in commencing the plan
| to the consideration of Congress-