Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-12-24
Cant FORM An ARMY
:
Il
Not Enough Men if Posts and
:. Forts Are GarriS0ned.
NEED FOR LEGISLATION
Gen. Bell. Chief of Staff. Says Con-
ditions Are Discouraging
THREE ARMS OF SERVICE WEAK
Citizens Ignorant of Handling Mod
ern Rifles and Accurate Shooting.
:: Physical Tests Approved.

'.'It is a diScoura ging fact" says Gen.
Bell chiei of staff. lisa. in his annual
report. that in case OF a sudden out
break of hostlites with first-class ma
ton there are not sufficient regular troops
in the country. even when reinforced
by the National Guard of the various
states. TO form an army after deductinS
the necessary force to provide small
garrison at our permanent posts and the
necessary infantry supports for our sea-
coast Notifications. These latter are de-
fenstess against land force of the
enemy unless provision has been made for
a sufficiently strong supporting force.
THE statutes relating to the organiZa-
ton of volunteer forces arc wholly in
adequate, and compre hensive measure
replacing the present laws and dealing
with the subject in the light of present
conditions should he placed among the
laws of our country without unnecessary
delay
To-day practically none Of our citizens
knows how to handle and shoot modern
rifles with any degree Of accuracy. and
there is not sufficient time IL train them
after the outbreak of hostiiitieS. con
siderable portion of the citizens of our
country believe that all that is required
10 make a soldier out OF a man is to put
hands Such an idea, dangerous To The
nation cannot be too strongly opposed
Three Arms of Service Weak
The infantry arm Is referred to as too
weak numerically for the services required
OF it even in time of peace. In proof of
this Gen. Bell says that since January l.,
1898, many regiments have spent more
than half their time in a tropical climate
IN.
in the United States for the officers and
men to recover from one tour of service
abroad before another begins.
The cavalry arm is spoken of as an
*anftquated organization Gen Bell says
that no civilized nation claiming to have
d modern army has its cavalry arm Or
saniZed as the United States cavalry is
today. He says that the field artillery
should be increased and declares that the
Engineer Corps Is INSULT Cient, both in the
commissioned and enlisted personnel. for
the duty devolving upon IL in time of
peace.
Absenteeism of Officers.
According to Gen. Bell, the number OF
officers on detached service and therefore
absent from their commands is 691. The
result of this is characterized as very
disastrous and among other things is Civ
On as the hrst cause for the large number
army. Gen. Bell dwellS at length upon
the ill-effect of young and inexperienced
commanders of commands due to the aD-
sence of officers TO perform duty In large
part directed by Congress and neceSsitated
by the good of the military service. He
says the only way this evil can be reme-
died is by legislation, as the matter is
completely beyond the power of the de-
partment itself to control.
Increased pay of enlisted men has had
the effect, Gen. Bell reports, of reducing
the number of vacancies in the enlisted
force and of obtaining a better class OF
non-commissioned officers.
Efficiency in Shooting.
Gen. Bell expresses much satisfaction
with several features OF the years work.
He says that the efficiency Of the cavalry
and infantry in small-arms shooting is
pfobably greater at the present date than
at any time in the history Of the army.
The general staff corps" says Gen.
Bell, has continued to justify Its crea-
ton. 1t was to be expected that new
body injected into an old established sys-
tom, with functions not perfectly defined
or generally understood, would meet
with some disfavor. L am convinced
that time is bringing better under
standing Of the usefulness Of this new
body and, being familiar with its work,
am able to testify that it's usefulness
at present is very great and prospective
~ promises to be more so.''
Riding Tests for Officers.
Regarding the physical tests for Of
ficerS Gen. Bell says:
These riding and walking tests and
physical examinations are now being held.
and reports show that with few exceptions
the officers of the service are physically
lit to perform active field service An in
creased interest in physical culture and
the general care of health among Of
ficers' has been noticeable, and / have
doubt that the substantial benefit
10 the service has been very great. Ex-
perience may call for a modification Of
existing orders on this subject, but that
some test and some physical examination
has come to stay part of our mill
tdry system is with me matter of hope
and conviction"
Abolition Of the Canteen.
The army view of the army canteen is
summarized by Gen. Bell In the following
words:
The legislation by which the canteen
feature of post exchanges was abolished
continues to be reported upon adversely
by post and other commanders. This SUBJ
ject Is so threadbare and the evidence pro
and con has been offered to Congress in
such superabundance that / do no more
IN this place than to record the fact that
opinion i'll the service continues to regard
with strong disfavor the legislation In