The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-02-03
ARMY SOON WILL Be
ON FIGHTING BASIS.
Approval of Congress Permits
Long-C Cherished Plans TO Be
Rushed to Completion.
ALL DEFENSES ARE IMPROVED.
Navy Is Strengthened and Work
of Organizing Militia Re-
serves Is to Commence
.. Without Delay. +
REPUBLIC SPECIAL.

REPUBLIC SPECIAL \
Washington. Feb. 1.-THE army is getting
ready for the defense of the United States
with anybody. We are doing the things now
we should have done many years ago.
''Th difference In the situation in this
country and in Europe is that we are not
prepared for war. while Great Britain and
Germany and Italy are always on q war
basis We win DO on q war basis. too. very
soon"
A prominent army Official said this to-
day. in explaining. the great activity that
prevails throughout the United States at
all of the army posts, at all OF the stations
of the coast artillery and in all OF the
gun shops and arsenals. f
It is admitted that the activity could not
be much greater il We expected to have
to go to war with some single European
country. But It Is declared that this is not
done because of the tension over the vene-
zuelan situation. and that everything now
taking place in the direction Of preparing
the country for defense was arranged for
long ago in case Congress- should give the
necessary legislation.
MAKING NEW RIFLES.
For instance. orders have been given to
the United States Armory at Springfield.
Mass, to rush 1oo. 1000 new Krag rifles to the
different ~arsenals of the country. These
rifles are for the arming of the first troops
that will be mustered into the national re-
serve provided for by the militia bill passed
two weeks ago. Secretary Root has already
held many conferences and done many
things in connection with putting the law
In operation.
This law will give the regular army a re-
serve OF 250. 900 men. 1t is the purpose of
the Secretary of Wa to endeavor to have
this reserve organized within a very few
months. so that different divisions OF them.
armed and equipped exactly as the regulars
are. can go in the great e~ncampments with
the regulars at three or four different
places in the country and become drilled and
disciplined according to the regular army
tactics.
For the purpose OF paying the expense of
this work and to pay the members of the
national reserve for their time and service
during the maneuvers, an amendment was
offered to the army appropriation bill to-
day appropriating 100000. simultaneously
with this Secretary Root Issued an order
creating a new division to be attached to
the Adjutant Generals department. to be
known as the mlutld OIVlSlOH. II ufdu
Of this division will be Major James Par
ker, u. s A., and Major F. T. Wilson,
formerly of the District National Guard.
will be the chief clerk.
STAFF BILL DELAYED.
The Secretary has been embarrassed by
the failure of Congress to pass the general
staff bill. He greatly needs this bill, 80 that
under 1t appointments may be made and
plans carried out in connection with the
militia scheme. This bill. having already
passed the House. went through the Senate
on Saturday. 1t was not generally known
until to-day that just before the adjourn
ment on Saturday Senator Berry of Arkan-
sas asked for a reconsideration of the vote.
This will cause further delay and is a keen
disappointment to Secretary Root.
It is admitted that quite as great activity