The weekly chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Craig County, Okla.) 1905-1913, 1909-12-03

lly combined with the regular troops
stationed in those districts into per-
Imanent brieades, divisions and corps
for instruction and tactical organiza.
ton
m conjunction with the headquar
ters Of these combination divisions
the report advocates the establish
ment Of supply depots, which can be
drawn upon for the equipment Of an
Iarmy in time Of need At such de-
pots supplies would be carried sual-
cient TO outfit any additional Nonn.
teer force UP TO moderate number
that might be hastily recruited to com
Iplete the organization o. any army
corps
I Attached 70 the headquarters. also,
the report declares there should be
stationed young and active officer or
the regular army, whose duty IL would
be to instruct and direct the militia
organizations in the corps district
Such an officer it is pointed out.
could issue no orders to the militia,
but it Is declared he should be given
power to supervise the equipment and
instruction Of the volunteer troops Of
his district and be held responsible for
their mobilization and general condi-
tion
Il is proposed TO submit the adop-
ton Of such plan TO the governors
of the several states. If the states an.
nonnce their willingness to cooperate
with the war department steps viii
be taken toward putting the plan in.
to action.
The matter Of general reauanee.
ment Of the various army posts occu.
pies a prominent place in the report
THE secretary OF war expresses his
conviction that, as nov situated the
army posts do not meet the require.
ments OF the service. many Of them
being isolated and difficult 10 access
The majority of these posts he
points out. sprang into existence be-
cause IN the early days Of the west
the regular army was largely used for
the protection Of settlers from Indians.
The Indians have long since ceased 70
be a menace TO the whites and the
posts have outliYed their usefulness
The army authorities now set forth
that tactical and strateeical necessi-
ties require the locating Of such army
Headquarters near the large cities, IN
close proximity % cents OF transporfa=
tion. and with a view 60 cooperation
with the militia
Hence. the three requirements
says Secretary Dickinson economy
possibility OF rapid movement aud
training Of the militia would al Be
met In the most effective manner lfI
the troops were stationed in or near
the principal cities and this is the
course which the general stan be-
lieves should be pursued
During the fiscal year three S.ineh
and 2s rapidnre guns we're added 10
the sea coast defenses Of the United
States. It is also declared that the
coast defeuses IL the countfy's nsuIar
possessions are in forward state
Of construction Special mention Isl
made Of the increasing efficiency III
marksmanship shown By the men who
serve the guns in the seaeoast bat
teries and also IN the field artillery
Of the army Praise also Is given the
men 81 the regular army for excellent
records made with small arms
Among a great number 81 other
matters Touched upon III the report
Secretary Dickinson speaks briefly
bat apmoeingiy of the aeroplane ana
dirigible balloon as engines Of war
He adds. however. t6at because of
the necessity for retfeuehment he Wlll
submit 10 plea to congress this yeaf
for an appropriation % admitsof the
purchase Of proper aeronauiieal
equipment for the army IL adds
however that The fact must b ree.l
ognIzed that all nrst.clasg powers ex-
cept the United States are providing
themselves systematically wish aerial
fleets. Germany and France being not
ahlf b the l.adn