The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1902-07-06

The only way to bring our national
guard up TO a high state of efficiency
Is to pass a Federal law which Will
make them in fact. as we'll as in name,
a national guard. and which will in
sure their uniform equipment and drill.
They should be armed and equipped
just as the regular army is
armed and equipped, and same
discipline and instruction SO far
as possible in the limited time that
can be given for that purpose. State
troops should go to camp under con-
diuOns as nearly as possible approxi-
mating those of actual war. State
troops and regular troops should be
camped together so that the former
may have the benefit of the experience
and skill of the latter. The volunteer
should bunk as the regular hunks,
should live on the same ration, and
should prepare his meals just as the
regular prepares them under service
conditions. Volunteer soldiers should
be trained in carrying the same accou-
trements that they would carry in act
ual warfare The government should
make liberal appropriations for target
practice Aiming and pointing drills
should be given to all volunteers, and
they should all be given an opportun-
ity every year of firing on the ranges.
serves of arms and equipments and
these should be so distributed through
out the country that there need be no
delay in equipping volunteer force
when called for duty
undermining the MfIitfn.
This subject has been considered of
sufficient importance to have the at
tention of nearly every President, from
Washington to Roosevelt. a great
many of them have referred to it in
their annual MESA ges, but the coun-
try has gone on in fancied security, in
different TO the lessons of experience
A measure is now pending in Congress
which it is believed will correct this
evil. 1t has the approval of the Pres
ldent and the Secretary of War, and
Of the National Guard of the different
states and territories. 1t will add
very little to the present expense but
will within a short time give us
highly trained and efficient volunteer
forced, ready to take the field at once
1t viii be directly subject to the call
of the President. but viii be differed
as now by the governors of the states
The men will be physically examined
before admission to the ranks, thus
insuring sound bodies, a condition
which has not prevailed heretofore
Officers will be examined as to ply
SltetI anu tIieHldI QudIIICdIlOnS, ana
the standard will be uniform through
out the country. Those not fit to serve
will not retain their commissions, but
they will be afforded opportunities for
Improvement and making themselves
qualified to serve by being permitted
to go to regular army schools for in
struction and While there their ex-
penses will be paid. Annual inspec-
tons by officers of the regular army
will test fha nAiciar1pHr Of ba I'd
and the pro rata allotment due each
state from the annual appropriations
of Congress viii be given to those
states whose national guard is suffi-
GENTLY armed uniformed, and equip
ped for active duty in the field.
The Second Line of Defense.
The present National Guard of the
states and territories aggregates about
$4,000 officers and men. With liberal
appropriations by Congress, and a
system of Federal control and instruc-
ton the states, also, will be induced to
accord more liberal treatment, and
this force will, in a short time doubt
less reach 100000. OF this number it
is believed at least 10000 would re-
spOnd to a call for duty This would
be amply sufficient, under all contin-
gencies which may reasonably be ex-
pected, for the second line of defense,
ana would give the country breathing
time within which to organize and
equip its vast unorganized military re-
sources.
With a volunteer force of this size,
so equipped and disciplined that it
could take the field at once it would
be possible to even further reduce
the size of our regular army. 1t
would be body which would inspire
the respect of other nations and make
them hesitate to WantOnIv attack us
The country would be far better pre-
pared for war; while at a minimum of
expense we would be able to secure to
the country maximum of our mill
tary strength in times of great emer-
gency.