The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1900-04-02
Bill Framed Creating a Reserve Vol
untser Army From the
State Militia.
A COMPREHENSIVE MEASURE
Able-bodied Men Under FOrty-lve
Liable to Military service-NO
Need of Large Standing Army.


serve volunteer army for use in time Of
war, to supply the regular army. The
bill contemplates a general broadening
of the basis of the National Guard, It's
equipment with the service rife, and
its complete organization in time Of
war into regiments, brigades, divisions
and corps, with the three battalion for
nation ns III the regular army, and is
designed to obvIate the necessity Of
large standing army upon the expira-
tlon of the present law, July /, 1901, In
creosIng the standing army to 65,OOO
and authorizing the present volunteer
army Of 35,OOO The bill will. be intro
duced in the house tomorrow and re-
ceive additional Importance from the
fact that Mr.. Hay is chairman Of the
Democratic caucus.
Certain Citizens Liable to Service.
The bill makes all citizens between
the ages of eighteen and forty-ave IL
able to military service in the volun-
teer army. 1t appropriates $4,OOO,oOO an
nually for the maintenance and equip
ment Of the National Guard of the
several states, this forming the nucleus
of the volunteer army, and requires
the secretary of war to keep in each
state supply of ordnance stores sufti-
cIent for ninety days use of the Ma
tional Guard Of the state in the event
of war. 1t provides system of mobil-
izatiou for the guard by dividing the
states into military divisions and pro-
vldes for board OF officers in each
state. who shall hold examinations for
the position of second lieutenant in the
National Guard, such officers to be pro-
NOTED for merit and efficiency.
No Large Regular Army Needed,
The time has come" said Mr.. Hay.
to-day in explanation Of his bill, when
1t is necessary to consider carefully
the question Of the future military arm
OF the United States. In the minds of
many, the maintenance of large
standing army seems a necessity, and
at first blush 1t would seem that there
is no other way out Of the difficulty
which has led to the belief that the sit
uation can be met without a resort to
that worst enemy of a republic, large
and permanent military establishment.
The secretary Of war has well said:
That the regular establishment IN the
United States will probably never be,
by itself, the whole machine with
which any war VIII be fought. This
being admitted, 1t will certainly not be
contended that in time Of peace the
regular establishment will be the
whole machine Conservative men
Will seek some means by which the
regular establishment can be reduced
to minimum compatible with the re-
uuirements Of the country IN time of
peace, and at the same time will offer
some plan by means of which an eff
clent army can be placed In the field
should we unfortunately engage in
war.
Be Reduced to Peace Basis.
ION the first day of July. 1901, the
present army Will be reduced to its
peace basis of 26,6lO men. Taking into
account the situation which may con-
front us at that time, will It bo neaes-
sary to increase the regular establish
ment beyond that number? Reasons
for the increase are various, but the
most important are that there must be
n sufficient number Of men to man eff
fectively our seacoast defences; a suf-
fcIent number to preserve peace and
order In the Philippine Islands and q
sufficient number to do police duty
against the Indians and to take care OF
the various posts in the United States.
The number Of men sufficient for these
purposes, is varIously estimated at
from $1,000 TO 100000 men; but It Is not
now necessary to determine this ques-
tion because year may materially
change present conditions, But 1t will
be admitted by all that the strongest
argument which can be used against
large standing army, is the creation OF
n well organized and thoroughly equip
ped national guard.
All Wars Fought With Volunteers.
This country has fought all of her
wars with citizen soldlery, and no good
reason can be given for departing from
that policy, Money spent for the pur-
pose of organizing and equIpping the
militia OF the states, is money saved,
and the sooner this course is adopted
the better 1t will be for the country.
Heretofore the militia has not been or
ganszed with n view to war. The folly,
not to say the crime OF such n policy,
was demonstrated in the Spanish war.
The time has come when we must solve
the problem OF national defense, and
aolvc It, II possible In n way TO prevent
the creation OF n large standing army.
An organized citizen soldery. in touch
with the people and composed OF the
people. does this, The object to be at
tnlned Is to enact law which will Of
tectually create IN organized militia
which viii be available at moments
notice.
"Thc bill, II cnuctcd into law. will, It
10 "oNndHutlv he,7vrd, 20 far towards
solving successfully the intricate prob-