The Washington times., 1902-12-01
RECOMMENDATIONS OF
SECRETARY OF WAR

bin passed by the House I'm the last ses-
sion, a bill which had the sanction OF
the chief National Guard officers in con
vention last winter, the report saws in
part:
Il earnestly urge THAI this measure
be made law. It is really absurd that
a nation which maintains but a small
regular army and depends upon unpro-
lessional citizen soldieTy for its defense.
should run along as we have done for
10 years. under a militia law which
never worked satisfactorily IN the be
/ ginning. and which was perfectly obso-
/ lete before any man now Ht for military
/ duty was born.
7 The result is that We have pracu-
Cally no militia system. Notwithstanding
/ the fact that the Constitution makes #
/ the duty of the Federal Congress to
provide for organizing. arming and dis
Cipliulng the militia and FOR calling
forth the militia to execute the laws OF
/ the Union. suppress instructions. and
repel inyasions' The National Guard
/ organizations OF the several states have
/ eroUn up in default Of any national sys-
/ tenn and to meet local requirements.
Their relations TO the Federal Govern
menJ have never been defined or set
tied
/ The confusion. controversy and bad
feeling arising from this uncertain
status were painfully apparent at the
beginning Of the war with Spain. and It
must always be the same until Congress
shall exercise its constitutional power
over the subject. Repeated efforts have
been made to accomplish this result"
After quoting President Washington
and President Madison in favor Of such
a plan, Mr.. Root says:
An Organized Force.
The bill which has now passed the
House is the result Of extensive and
painstaking conference among represen-
tatIves OF all the classes OF citizens es-
peciaIly qualified to express opinions
upon it. It does not represent fully any
ones view. but it contains many i'm
pOrtant provisions upon which general
agreement has been reached. and it viii.
am sure, II enacted. be a great step
for war otherwise than by the mainte-
nance OF a standing army.
The fundamental idea OF the bill is
10 recognize the value TO the National
Government OF the National Guard. which
is capable OF being utilized, first, as ac-
tive militia when called out by the Presi-
dent for the specific purpose enumerated
in the Constitution: second, as an al
ready organized volunteer force when it's
organizations respond as such 20 calls
for volunteers for general military pur-
poses under authority OF Congress; and.
third. as the great school OF the volun-
teer soldier. the benefits Of which are
received by the country when the mem
bers OF the Guard respond individually
TO calls for yolJnteers.mTh hill under
takes TO regulate and provide for these
various relations OF the National Guard
and its members 10 the general system.
TO conform the organization. armament,
and discipline OF the Guard TO that Of the
regular and volunteer armies Of the United
States, to establish closer relations and
better cooperation between the Ma
tional Guard and the regular army; 20
promote the efficiency and dignity OF the
Guard as part OF the military system
Of the United States.
STANDARD Arms for Militia.
To aid in accomplishing these objects.
and IN recognition Of the benefits to the
General Government that come from the
Guard altogether outside Of it's service
10 the Individual states, the Dill provides
that the General Government shall fur
uish 10 the Guard the same arms which
it furnishes to the regular army. and
for the voluntary participation by the
Guard with the regular army In maueU-
yers and field exercises for brief periods
In each year.
The bill also contains provisions for
making the National Guard organiza-
tions which choose voluntarily 10 go be-
yond the limitations OF militia service
IN effect First Volunteer Reserve. and
further provisions for the enrolment OF
a Second Volunteer Reserve not exceed
ing 100000, 90 be composed OF trained
men who have served in the National
Guard or I'm the Regular Army. or the
volunteer armies of the United States.
These would constitute the first vol
unteer regiments after the National
Guard volunteers. under any call by
Congress. To also provides for asccr-
tanning by practical tests in advance of
a call for volunteers. the fitness OF
members OF the National Guard KTadu-
ates Of the military schools and col
leges. and other citizens with military
training 10 hold volunteer commissions.
! thus constituting an eligible list from
which In case or a call for volunteers
the officers o. the Second Reserve must
be taken. and the officers OF the general
body Of volunteers may be taken.
Would Provide Seasoned Force.
The military force Of the United
States would then be ar follows
First. The regular army. capable
) OF enlargement by the President. when
he sees war coming. TO 100 600.
Second. such OF the organized mi
!itia (already trained as a National
Guard and just as valuable when used
IN the manner hereinafter indicated. a.
any other troops as the President shall
see Or 10 call into the service OF the
United States for not CIceediug nine
months. 20 reDel invasion
Third a first volunteer reserve.
I composed OF such companies. troops. and
regiments OF the organized militia al
ready trained as a national guard as
volunteer by orga auizations with all their
officers and men.
Fourth A second volunteer reserve.
composed Of men previouzly enrolled
and haviUs previous military training in
the national guard. the regular army
OF the volunteer army. and commanded
by officers whose fitness has been previ-
, Cusly aECsrtdiued by practical tests IN
DER the provisions OF the militia act