Daily Arizona silver belt., 1907-12-04
The Army


 never has been, any other nation in the world so wholly free from the evils of militarism as is ours. There never has been any other large nation, not even China, which for so long period has had relatively to its numbers so small a regular army as has ours. Never at any time in our history has this Nation suffered from militarism or been in the remotest danger of suffering from mili- tarism. Never at any time of our his tory has the Regular Army been of size which caused the slightest appre- eiable tax upon the tax-paying citizens of the Nation. Almost always it has been too small in size and underpaid. Never in our entire history has the Ma tion suffered in the least particular be- cause too much care has been given to the Army, too much prominence given to it, too much money spent upon it, or because it has been too large But again and again we have suffered be- cause enough care has not been given to it, because it has been too small, be- cause there has not been sufficient prep aration in advance for possible war. Every foreign war in which we have engaged has cost us many times the amount which. if wisely expended dur ing the preceding years of peace on the Regular Army, would have insured the war ending in but a fraction of the time and for but a fraction of the cost that was actually the case. As Ma ton we have always been shortsighted in providing for the efficiency of the Army in time of peace. It is nobody 's especial interest to make such provision and no one looks ahead to war at any period no matter how remote, as being serious possibility; while an improper economy, or rather niggardliness, can be practieed at the expense of the Army with the certainty that those practicing it will not be called to account therefor. but that the price will be paid by the unfortunate persons who happen to be in office when a war does actually come.
 I think it is only lack of foresight that troubles us, not any hostility to the Army There are, of course, foolish people who denounce any care of the Army or Navy as militarism,' but I do not think that these people are nu- merous. This country has to contend now, and has had 10 contend in the past with many evils, and there is am ple scope for all who would work for reform. But there is not one evil that now exists, or that ever has existed in this country, which is, or ever has been, owing in the smallest part to militarism. Declaration against militarism has no more serious place in m earnest and intelligent movement for righteousness in this country than Reclamation against . bn nf ol Agfa
 Among the officers there should be severe examinations to weed out the unfit up to the grade of major. From that position on appointments should be solely by selection and it should be un derstood that man of merely average capacity could never get beyond the position of major, while every man who serves in any grade. a certain length of time prior to promotion to the next grade without getting the promotion to the next grade should be forthwith retired The practice marches and field mancuvers of the last two or three years have been invaluable to the Army They should be continued and extended. A rigid and not perfunetory examin- ation of physical capacity has been provided for the higher grade officers This will work well. Unless an officer has good physique, unless he can stand hardship, ride well, and walk fairly, he is not fit for any position, even after he has become colonel. Before he has become colonel the need for physical fitness in the officer is almost as great as in the enlisted man. l hope speedily to see introduced into the Army far more rigid and thoroughgoing test of horsemanship for all field officers, than at present. There should be a Chief of Cavalry just as there is a Chief of Ar tillery.
 Perhaps the most important of all leg isation needed for the benefit of the Army is law to cqualize and increase the pay of officers and enlisted men of the Army, Navy. Marine Corps and Revenue-Cutter Service. Such a bill has been prepared which it is hoped will meet with your favorable consideration.