New-York tribune., 1900-08-05
MILITARY RESERVES.
AN AMERICAN PROBLEM ON WHICH SIDE.
LIGHT FROM EUROPEAN EXPERT
ENCE NAY BE VALUABLE.
London, July 25.

ersl az the National Guard OF New-York has
been quietly conducting important military
Investigation in England. He arrived in London
several months ago with letters Of instruction
from Secretary Root and Governor Roosevelt
ana entered upon an exhaustive study Of the
problem Of organized reserves and auxiliary
forces as It has been worked out in this and
N other countries. He was received nv tho
military authorities here With the courtesy
which Americans Of tact and intelligence in
variably command in England and every ia
elity has been offered to him In the course NJ
his Investigations. He started Yesterday for
Switzerland. where he will make similar ex-
animation OF the auxiliary forces connected
with the army and his report when he COM
petes his work will be Likely to include a com
prehensve account Of the German and French
military systems Colonel Sanger was a lieu
tenant-colonel Of volunteers during the war
with Spain, and has been Identified with tb.
New-YoTk National Guard. The War Depart
ment and the Governor of New-York have acted
with sound Judgment in selecting an agent who
vii collect a great mass OF information and
suggest practical measures for determining the
relations of the State forces TO the Regular
Army in the United States
COLONEL SANGER'S CAREFUL WORK
Colonel Sanger has done his work without OBJ
servstion. and has met the best informed men
connected with the headquarters STAFF. the War
Office. the regular army, the militia. the yeo-
many and the volunteers. He has respected
the Instructions Of Secretary Root and Governor
Roosevelt. has not advertised his mission in the
London press, and has been most thorough and
workmanlike in his Investigations. He has not
been content to receive official digests from the
departments and services. but has personally in
spected every branch OF the military organiza-
ton and auxiliary forces and has obtained
much Of his information at first hand His re-
port will contain, venture to forecast a COM
prehensive survey Of the British Army and staff
departments as organized for service during
the campaign in South Africa: a complete ac-
count OF the mobilization of reserves for foreign
work; the history Of the militia and the part
taken by the battalions in stiTening the regular
army during the last year and detailed de-
scripton Of the volunteers and yeomanry and
Of the use made OF them during the war. In this
way Colonel Sanger will present an exhaustive
study OF the practical methods by which the
United Kingdom. without compulsory military
service, has met the emergency of great strug-
gle for the maintenance Of the empire. The ex-
perience Of England, when II is thoughtfully and
Systematically presented ought to be of excep-
uonal value to America. There was a recent
emergency Of war, which was not met by the
United States in the best possible way since a
great army had to be created in hot haste with
cur homogeneous reserve Of auxiliary forces
already In existence. The results you'd have
been larger and there would have been less de-
lay and confusion if the problem of an or
ganized reserve had been previously taken up
and worked out.
NEED OF ORGANIZED RESERVE
I have seen much of Colonel Sanger since he
has been in London. but while I can bear testi-
mony TO the earnestness and ability with which
n has gone about a difficult work. I cannot
undertake either 10 anticipate his conclusions or
to quote his opinions. I can only take up the
main points Of the problem upon my own re-
sponsbility for the purpose of illustrating the
utility Of the work which he has been doing
here and is TO continue the Continent. There
can never be compulsory military service in the
United States, and the Regular Army must al
ways be kept at the lowest possible strength
consistent with National safety; but the war
with Spain disclosed the lack of homogeneous
reserve which could be made available in a sud
den emergency, and Governor Roosevelt and
Secretary Root have wisely agreed that some
thing ought 10 be done for providing a system
attic scheme Of organized auxiliary forces. If
the relations Of the National Guard in New
York 10 the Regular Army be determined
there VIII be basis for the improvement Of the
auxiliary forces in other States. The most i'm
Of the status Of the National Guard which may
Be requisite in order 10 convert il into a working
reserve Of the Army, so that in an emergency
Of war with a foreign Power there be eff
fective cooperation between State and Federal
authorities Before this matter can be settled
It is Of the utmost utility TO have exhaustive
Investigation Of the principles upon which the
auxiliary forces Of European countries
ganiZsd. This IS the work which Colonel Sanger
has been conducting with exceptional intelli-
gence
METHODS OF SECURING VOLUNTEERS.
Since cooperation between State authorities
and the Federal Government is the main object
70 be accomplished in any scheme Of organiza-
non of auxiliary forces, IL has been important
u have this investigation conducted not by an
oihcer of the Regular Army but by an inspector
Of the National Guard. Colonel Sanger has not
confined his attention TO the regular establish
ment Of the British army and its first line OF
reserves. but has interested himself particularly
n the militia volunteers and yeomanry. which
constitute the second and third lines of aux
mary forces. He has obtained information re-
specting the methods adopted in the United
Aihgdom for securing volunteers from these
various bodies II auxiliary forces. and the eX-
'sht 70 which reinforcernents have been drawn
non them in the course of the war In South
--lfica ] DO not know with precision the lines
:" investigation followed by him, but judge from
ne uine occupied in the work that he has been
~'sI thorough taking up all details of equip
ehl training. drilling and service, and fore
Ssuhg some Of the many changes and reforms
i'eh viii be introduced in consequence OF prac-
la experience in South Africa. There are
many Special services in connection with the
Aiary forces such the seacoast artillery,
S night batteries and field artillery, the medi-