The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1900-04-02
RESERVE VOLUNTEER ARMY.
BILL TO CREATE 1T FROM STATE
NATIONAL GUARD.

Democratic Caucus, Will Introduce
the Neasure-PrOvides for a ST.
100000 Annual Appropriation to
Equip and Maintain state Troops.
would Re Good Argument Against
Large Standing Army.
Washington, April 1.-Representative
Hay of Virginia, one of the prominent
members of the. Military Committee of
the House has prepared with great care
a bill to create out of the militia of the
several states a reserve volunteer army
fer use in time of war to supplement the
regular army.
The bill contemplates a general broad
ening Of the basis of the National Guard
its equipments with the service rifle and
its complete organization in time of war
into regiments, brigades, divisions, and
corps with the three battalion formation
as in the regular army, and is designed
to obviate the necessity of a large stand
ing army upon the expiratio of the pres
ent law July l, 1901, increasing the stand
ing army to 5000, and authorizing the
present volunteer army of 95.OCO
tomorrow and receives additional import
ance from the fact that Mr.. Hay is chair
man of the Democratic caucus.
The bill makes all citizens between the
ages of Is and As liable to military service
in the volunteer army. 1t appropriates
100000 annually for the maintenance and
equipment Of the National Guard of the
several states, this forming the nucleus of
the volunteer army and requires the Sec
retary of War TO keep in each state a sup
ply of ordnance stores sufficient for ninety
days use of the National Guard of the
state in the event of war. Ii provides a
system of mobilization for the guard by di-
Viding the states into military divisions
and provides for board of officers in eacn
state who shall hold examination for The
position of second lieutenant in the Ma
tional Guard, such officers to be promot-
ed for merit and efficiency.
Must Consider the Future.
"rhe time has come" said Mr. Hay, in
explanation of his bill to-day, when it
is necessary to consider carefully the
question of the future military establish
ment of the United States.In the minds of
many maintenance of a large standing
army seems a necessity and al first blush
it would seem that there is no other way
out OF the difficulty which now confronts
us A careful consideration of the ques-
ton has led to the belief that the situa-
ton can be met without a resort to that
worst enemy of a republic, a 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
will be fought. This being admitted, it
will certainly not be contsnded that in
time of peace the regular establishment
will be the whole machine Conserva-
tive men will seek some means by which
the regular establishment can be redlic-
ed to>a minimum compatible with the re-
qurements of the country in time of peace
and at the same time will offer some
plan by means of which an efficient army
can lie placed in the field should we un-
fortunately engage in war.
To GO Back to Peace Basis.
"On the first day of July, 1901, the pres
ent army will be reduced to its peace basis
of $3.50 men. Taking into account the
situation Which may confront US at that
time, will it be necessary to increase the
regular establishment beyond that num-
Der? Fhe reasons given for such increase
are various, but the most important are
that there must be sufficient number
of men TO man effectively our seacoast
defenses; sufficient number to preserve
and a 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 pur-
poses is variously estimated at from 65 600
to 100000 men, but 1t is not now necessary
to determine this question, because a year
may very materially change present con-
ditions But ii will be admitted by all
that the strongest argument which can
be used against a large standing army is
the creation of well organized and thor
oughly equipped National Guard.
Value of Citizen-SOIdiery.
This country has fought all of her
wars with citizen-soldiery and no good
reason can be given for departing from
that policy. Money spent for the purpose
of organizing and equipping the militia
of the states is money saved, and the
sooner this course Is adopted the better
it will be for the country. Heretofore the
militia has not been organized with a
view to war, The folly, not to say the
crime of such a policy was demonstrated
in the Spanish war The time has come
when we must solve the problem of ma
tional defense and solve It If possible in
a way to prevent the creation of a large
standing army. An organized citizen-sol-
diery in touch with the people, and COM
posed Of the people does this. The object
to be attained is to enact a law which
will effectually create an organized mil
itia which will be available at a mo-
ment's notice.
THE bill, If enacted into law, will, 1t
is confidently believed. go far towards
solving successfully the intricate prob
lem of national defense, and at the same
time obviate the necessity for any in
nraaqa of fhp standing rrnv