The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1908-01-13


sew military policy for the United States
10 TO be undertaken In this city at an inn
portant congress opened here today.
Officers representing the war depart
me,it and militia officers and men repre-
senting a national organized volunteer
force OF more than 10000 members, and
an unorganized constituency OF 1,WoVO
available men. are to put forth their Ut
WoSt efforts TO accomplish a closer union
- the amateur and professional sol
dlers Of the country and "A greater work
tnG efficiency Of the latter class.
The cccasion OF the gathering Is the
tenth annual meeting OF the National
Guard association OF the United states,
and delegates Will be present from most
OF the eiaics and territories and the DIS
t.ict OF Columbia. The convention VIII be
coatiuued Tuesday and "Wednesday In Old
Faneuil hall
Gen Charles Dick, author OF the bill,
BEARING his name under which the Ma
tional Guard has been reorganzed, and
president OF the association, Will preside.
The FIVE years period within which the
provisions of the bill were 10 operate has
elapsed and 30 active is the demand fer
new legislation that many delegates are
known 10 be coming To the convention
with formal suggestions or resolutions ad-
vocating more or less important changes
In the national laws.
Among such proposed changes one by
Gen. Charles A. Drain OF New loik,
chairman cf the executive committee o.
tho National Guard association VIII
probably be among the first and most inn
portani To which the convention W II give
consideration. He Will suggest that the
National Guard, at the outbreak OF war,
be passed from state to federal control,
except as To the commander-n-chief, and
that IL be part Of the first line with the
rceu ular army, ready for Immediate ser
vice In war whenever the president might
wish TO use Il and for as long an the. then
evvtiny ef liStr1ents Of the meu hjul
endure
Legislation along these lines. he be-
NJ aatt fn. 0.NxH aflt
ton OF the problem of military policy
for the United States. Gen. Drain viii
further say:
PROPER TRAINING.
"Such course would equitably involve
such increased appropriations on the part
OF the United States as would insure the
proper training Of the National Guard
In peace and condition OF complete
equipment for field service. The assump-
tion by the United States OF the obliga-
tion to furnish money to train properly
and to purchase and furnish the neces-
sary stores would allow the states to use
their present or increased state appro-
pr1ations for local administrative expense,
the maintenance of the troops during
peace and the construction OF armorfes
The adoption of such n system would
not only give TO the United States an ad-
dition TO it's first line of defence of a
trained army of some 10000 men. but IL
would insure In tho states force for In
ternal use adequate for every emergency.
This would be peace strength. War
strength would reach 10000. The coun-
try Is full OF men, who would like to
learn TO do their duty as volunteer sol
diers In time OF war and go out as such
when war came, hut who have no desire
for permanent military service.
Commissions, warrants, membership In
such organizations would mean some
thing. The organization would be sure
of going just as they stood. without
changing their designations with integ-
rity and identity unimpaired.
There should be-" Gen. Drain will fur
ther urge. "a liberal detail OF officers
from the regular army for service with
the National Guard in peace. to be en-
ployed as the governor might direct"
The war department at Washington IL
is understood. considers the convention as
one OF unusual Importance. and Its dele
cation will include Robert Oliver Shaw.
assistant secretary of the department;
Wittherspoon and Col. Erasmus NJ.
Weaver OF the general stan.
FROM THIRTY STATES.
According 10 returns I'm the hands OF
MAJ Gen. James Il. Parker OF this city,
on the local committee of arrangements,
80 states and territories and the District
of Columbia will be represented with a
total OF 142 delegates. and. he added. that
only two states--South Dakota and Utah
had sent definite word that they would
not be represented. Alaska and Indian
Territory have no organized militia, al
though provision is made for such bodies
II need arises.
The business OF the convention will be
taken up at general sessions TO be held
during the forenoon OF each day I'm Fan.
euil hall. while committee meetings will
be held at the American house
The delegates will direct their atten-
tion closely 10 the Dick bill This bill. II
" believed will be modified along these
general lines: That the war department.
having power" TO organize and provide
for the National Guard, should be made
financially responsible FOR tho mainte-
nance OF II 10 the extent OF equipping Il.
free of cost 10 the state. with arms. uni
forms and stores: and (second) that the
volunteer forces should be given enlarged
possibilities. and through them become
practically an integral part OF the regu-
lar army.
IL will be proposed, II Il expected. that
each organized division Of the volunteer
militia be allowed one inspector OF small
arms practice. with the rank OF major:
each regiment OF infantry or cavalry one
inspector with the rank OF captain, and
each separate battalion or squadron. one
inspector. with the rank OF FIRST lleuten-
ant.
Another important change proposed I'm
the Dick bin will apply to section :,
which now directs that courts-martial for