The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1910-05-05
GEN. CARTER ON WAR NEEDS.

r. Carter, u. s. A, IL is one of tn
most Illuminating articles-we NIGH
fairly say it is the most illuminating
article-that has appeared on tins sub
icct in any publication OF from an,
source for a great while. Genera
Carter takes for his text that portion
of President Taft IS inaugural message
which says: ''We should have an arm,
so organized as TO be capable III time
of emergency, in cooperation with tho
national militia and under the provis
ions of proper national volunteer law
rapidly to expand into force SUI
fcient to resist all probable invasion
from abroad, and to furnish a respect
able expeditionary force. if necessary
in the maintenance of our traditional
American policy. which bears the name
of President Monroe. -
The article dwells much on the strug.
giles which nations have made from
time to time, and especially the strug-
giles made by the United States, in ef-
| forts TO get a sufficient trained force
| TO carry on the war which is begin
ming or is on hand. ''The preparation
for and continuation of the War o.
1912 was a severe shock TO the Nation S
PRIDE says General Carter; and there
can be no question but that this is
concise and clear statement of fact.
Canada was ours for the taking at that
time. but our fecbleness of effort, our
halting, Ineffective policy, allowed that
great prize to slip from our grasp.
The conduct of the main Indian wars
has exemplifed the same general fact,
while the managing of the Civil war
was wasteful and destructive of human
lives and of money, TO a shocking, scan
dalous, and distressing degree. AT the
outbreak of the war with Spain the
same unpreparedncss was evident Vol
untcer camps were established where
whole divisions rotted through neglect
and lack of training, never going 10
the front, and there being no need OF
them at the front. All these things
are matters of history and Of record.
But shall we face a like shameful
NdSlt VI llAt anu tlOiti SuNh
scanda lous ineffectiveness both as TO
the use of men and money, that we
have endured heretofore when our wars
have come upon us' General Carter
rightly says that no one really advo-
Gates conscription for the regular army
in time of peace, but there is no qucs-
ton, as be says, but that the Southern
Confederacy proceeded along the right
lines in enrolling all its citizens for war
service. 1t is the only fair way, the
only just and effective way, "a ma
tion is not justified in accepting the
volunteer service of its best blood, Ieav-
ing others to pursue untrammeled their
business careers says General Car
ter; and he might we'll pursue the
thought further by saying that nation
is not justified in letting its voluntary
and friends 90 into the field
of battle while its enemies, with the
against tho Government policies, stay
at home TO vote paralyzlng or de-
structive policy in Governmental affairs
which will render the voluntary sacUi-
and void
The true method Of procedure un-
doubtedly is as laid down by General
Carter, First, have good, well~trained
nucleus for the army; have that IN
thorough connection with the National
Guard OF the various States, these
State organizations TO form part Of
the immediate army TO be called on for
service in emergencies; the training
arming and discipline and instruction
of the National Guard 10 be identical
with that Of the regular army. For
the rest of il, General Carter says:
We do not need a large army, but we
must have one well trained ana of suf
hcieut size tn meet existing require
cations and stngy with men. We should
begin without further delay TO plan Civi-
sion cantonments TO replace Isolated forts
and barracks which have outlived their
we'll equipped, modesty built cantonmcnt
for a normal division of three infantry
brigades and the. proper contingent OF
other arms would he greatly Offset by the
saving In transportation OF supplies and
in assembling troops for maneuvors every
alternate year. II will be the least eX-
pcnsive way OF teaching both regulars
and National Guard the business of war
In all but actual combat. In event OF
hostllities such cantonments would be
invaluable as places of assembly for
the volunteers contemplated In the sec
ond call 10 aid the regulars and National
Guard. The case with which new regi-
mcnts could be prepared for service q
such establishments would put 10 shame
the large camps Of the war with Spain.
Such divisional cantonments would at
need when war is on. be the rendezvous
for the volunteers of the section OF
country in which they were established
These volunteers should go to those
points of assemblage, these TO be used
as camps Of instruction. There the
volunteers could receive their preIim-
mary training, both in drill and in the
manual of arms These volunteers should
either be incorporated into the regular
army or organized into companies, bat
talions, and regiments under command of
regular officers In that way they would