The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-09-13
How Gen. Funston Would Orr
ganize Peace Army.
Have One to Correspond With
European Reserves.
ENLIST FOR ONE YEAR.
At End of Time Eligible as
First Privates.
Would Make Reserve Army of
$4,000 Men,.

brlgadier General Fred Funston has
presented to the war department of
the government a comprehensive
pian Tor the organization of a news
department of the United states arn,vfl
TO be known as the reserve army. ~
which will in many ways corresponds
with the reserve armies of theai
European nations The prinoiraJ 6;fZ
ference is that the reserve army in, !
TINS country will be secured by voI-5
uh.afy enlistment, while the con-es
script system prevails in Europe.
General Funston's plan provides for
q complete change in the present sys-
tenn or enlistment. Instead of enlist
ing Tor three-year term in the reg
Hn 1lar army. Funston proposes that merx
pe ennsted for one year only. At the
expiration of the year they are allowed
to re-enlist as first privates'' eli1IbIe
for promotion, for a three-year term
or they can join the reserve arrov5sS
Tor a Six-year term.
Ihe members of the reserve arr,ax
Will not be called upon for any drills
or practice, and will not be naobilized
except IN case of war or Imminent.
war with some foreign country. They
Will not be used for home duty Thew
Will each get 81 per month, whetheT
they are called out or not
General Funston figures that by this
method the United States can raise an
| army for reserve of about 135.OOCe
men.
| In his statement to the war depart-
ment explaining in detail the plans for
eral Funston says:
The proposed system would not re-
ceive the antagonism of any parttc71la,s
class OF people. There are many peo-
pie IN the United States who believe.
or think they believe, that the resuIar =
army is menace to the rights of this
states and the liberties of individuals.
The Droviso that the reserve could he
|
OF foreign war or immediate danger of
such a war, or a general insurrectiorr
in any one of the insular possessions,
would totally eliminate the Objections
of this class of people.
Many of the labor unions show and
feel decided hostility toward the ma
tlonal guard, for reasons that are well
! known, but this feeling would be ab-
sent in the case of the reserve for the
reason that this force would not be
liable for duty in connection with dis
lturbances arising from strikes
"The national guard itself, and those
interested in its welfare would not
view with hostility the formation of a
reserve on the lines indicated for the
usurp any of the functions or duties of
the national guard or render the latter
force less important.
"Desertion, the bane and disgrace of
the army, would practically cease to
exist Not one man in thousand, un-
less he had been guilty of crime would
desert in his first, or one year enlist
ment, and risk the penalties provided
therefor, for he would see his way out
in year at the most. Very few men
would desert in subsequent terms OF
enlistment for the reason that these
men would be the best of the men who
had presented themselves for the three
year term of enlistment. They would
be men whose first year would have
made them acquainted with the duties
of the service.
''It is believed that the system of one
year enlistments, with the option OF
entering the reserve afterward would
bring to the recruiting offices more
desirable young men than could be ae-
cepted. Thousands of these would go
in for one year, who would never con-
slider a three year enlistment With
many it would be a desire for a brief
| military experience, with the accom-
panying benefits to be derived FROM
physical exercises and drill; with others
it would be for temporary employ
ment.
"The expense connected with the
system would not be excessive. The
increased pay for the soldiers of more
than one years service would be par
TALLY offset for the reduction for men
in their first year, and by the almost
total elimination of desertion woulE
further offset the expense