The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-01-21
RESERVE FOR ARMY
NEEDED BY NATION.
SAYS GENERAL BELL
Chief of Staff, in Annual
R eport, Urges
Changes.
Would Hold Former SOL
dierS in Readiness for
Active Service.

Gen. J. Franklin Bell, chief of the
Army stan, in his annual report to
the Secretary of War, recommends a
reserve for standing army. to be COM
posed of former enlisted men who do
not care TO re-enlist. 1t is proposed TO
raise a force of J0,GO0 men who have
served not less than one complete en-
listment in the regular army, who are
citizens of the United States, and not
more than forty years old, of good
character, and sound health, to be en-
listed 10 serve for a period OF five years
IN this modified reserve. They Will be
rated according to their service in the
regular army and viii receive from So
10 S32 a year
After being enlisted these men will
be allowed TO live where they please in
the United States, but will be subject
10 the call of the President for ten days
each year for instruction purposes.
Upon the outbreak Of war they would
be called into active service and as
signed to regular existing organizations
strength.
''At present" says General Bel,
there IS absolutely no way for the
sary TO increase the regular army to
100000 men as authorized.
General Bell also advocates the es-
tablishment of a service corps for
drivers, teamsters. packers. carpenters,
blacksmiths, Iaborers, and clerks. say
ing that no measure would be more far
reaching in improving the efficiency of
the line OF the army than the orgsniza-
Jion Of an enlisted service corps for
the supply OF the departments.
Given Careful Consideration.
He says the matter has been given
careful consideration by the general
staff and it recommends an enlisted
force Of 1900 men for the quartermas-
ter's department and LOO for the sub
sistence department, to be charged with
work now performed by a large force
OF civilian and by men detailed on spe-
clal work
There is now and viii continue until
some provision is made for such a CORDS.
a large number Of soldiers. generally
many. Of the best. detached from their
companies on this work, breaking I'D
proper company training by depicting
the OrganiZa ton. besides encouraging
she soldier through increased pay to
seek other employment, or other duty
than that for which he was enlisted
General Bell deals at length on a rec
commended increase and reorganiZa ton
OF the mobile army. and the mObiliza-
non Of volunteers. He says OF the
volunteers that they are fully capable
of high training and efficiency, but he
cannot be lmpTOvised in a day and
every organization should be modified
and drill IN peace as IL would have TO
operate in the field in time OF stress.
Strong Cavalry Advocated.
The general treats the several arms
of the service separately from an or
ganization standpoint and points what.
IN the judgment OF the general stan.
IS the best proportion. He would have
"a particularly strong cavalry to be used
tn the vital necessities OF a battlefield.
To meet his plans, Genera Bell SAYS.
would require an increase Of ten addi-
tionaI regiments Of infantry, two regi-
ments of field artillery, and q reOrganf-
cation OF the cavalry. To reduce the
necessary increase 10 q minimum Il is
proposed that one-third of the army
corps or one complete division shall be
troops of the organized militia This
proposition COutemplates a mobilization
at least each alternate year, and the
camps. He also recommends a change
81 the fegimental organizations to bet
ter fulfill the plan.
II is submitted by the general that
reports for several years past show that
the army from the highest to the lowest
favOrs the Te-establishment of the can
teen. and gives data COMPLIED after
careful study by the general stan