The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-10-09
RESERVE CORPS OF TRAINED SOLDIERS etssf Will Be Asked for By the War J Department PRESENT INEFFICIENCY Representative Mclaughlin of Califor- nia Points Out the Dangers of
 mn Attack by One of the
 World Powers
PRESENT INEFFICIENCY
By RoDERTCK CLIFFORD

Congress will be called upon by the War department at the coming session to create reserve corps of trained soldiers men who have seen service in either the regular army or the militia organiza- readiness for war.
 To this end, it Is said, the department will work hand in hand with the militia organizations of the various states. A program for the general betterment of the fighting force of the nation is to be discussed, outlined and decided upon when the War department experts at- tend the coming annual session of the militia organization of the various states, which is to meet in St. Louis, beginning October &
 When Congress convenes 1t Is expected that the department will immediately submit Its report on the Mclaughlin res- olution, adopted by the House, which seeks accurate information as the ability. of the United States to defend itself against the attack of an enemy. with especial reference to the defences of the Pacific coast. The resolution was introduced in Congress by Representa- tive Mclaughlin of Pasedena, Cal, who reflects the general sentiment of the Pacific coast members over the Japanese war scare agitation.
 The, report of the War department. 1t is said. will be plain and truthful and will show that the country is woefully deficient in the ability to defend itself were 1t to become engaged in 2 conflict with world power.
 At present there is only an available army of 10000 men for immediate de- fense. men trained in the art of war. Sixty thousand of these are militia men and 80,000 regulars. As defender of either the Atlantic or Pacific coasts, this army would be absolutely insuffi- cient. 1t is said, by army officers. A world power would mean a mighty naval conflict. If we were at war with Japan, the fighting would be on the Pacific. Defeated and our Pacific fleets destroyed Japan would practically have this coun- try at her mercy in landing an invading army. Within a month she could land more men from transports than our combined regular and militia strength. It would be impossible to protect the Pacific coast line, 1t is said. with 15o,- 600 men. 3oO,ooo trainde fighters being at least required.
 the same conditions would be true 1t is declared, were we at war with a Euro pean power. such as Germany or Eng land. With our fleet destroyed, 1t is said, that at least 600.000 trained men would be needed to resist an invasion
 The old idea said an officer the other day, ''that the patriotic American farmers, armed with pitchforks, can hurl back all invaders of our soil is tommyrot' in these times. It was for merly true. but not now We must have available fighting men,"
 One of the measures of relief that it is said will be suggested to Congress as practicable, Is the creation of a "re- serve corps" This body, 1t Is con- templated will be made up of all men who have served definite pSriod in the militia organizations. It Is sug- gested that the members of the reserves be paid about 80 year and that for a period of ten days in each year they join" the colors. They would be main tained in companies. arms be set aside for r and apart from ten days annual drill and encampment, all they would have to do would be to keep the officers of the reserve in touch with their address so that they could be reached without delay.
 Experts have figured out that while the regular army costs $1O0 600 00O a year $5,000.000 a year would keep a reserve corps of 100000 men in a camp of in struction for ten days each year. pay all transportation and commissary expenses and provide for the small yearly salary the members of the reserve corps would receive. Such reserve corps of 6O0,O00 could, within 10 years. 1t Is pointed out, be built up and maintained at small cost As the years progressed the corps could be increased until million men, citizen soldiers of the United would be trained, equipped and ready for instant warfare.
 Under the present arrangement man discharged from the regulars or militia drifts away from the army. There are thousand~ of men who have seen service who, could be brought Into the reserve to form a basis of the corps, if Congress accedes to the plan. and pro- vides the necessary appropriation. Not only do War department, officials favor the scheme, but. it Is said, 1t is one that militia officials heartily approve of. It Is a plan that will be freely discussed and probably acted upon at the St Louis convention.
 With the plan in operation the War department would discourage the re-en- listment of men, excepting those who are not commissioned officers, or were rec commended for promotion as non-com- missioned officers for excellent service during their first enlistment. As rule it is said men who enter the army when they are young do so not with an idea of staying in the army for life, but simply to get an opportunity to see some- thing of the world. Especially is this true now when the Philippines. Hawaii, Alaska and Porto Rico have to be gar risoned. These men do not intend to re- enlist when they are discharged simply drift away and the War department looses track of them. They enter into commercial life or pick up a trade. A small yearly compensation would be an incentive, 1t is said, for them to join the reserve corps when they sever their con- nection with the regular army
 The reply of the department to the Mclaughlin resolution. 1t Is said. will not only touch upon remedies that Congress can apply to provide better fighting machine but will start the people of the nation when the weakness of our defenses are boldly made known.
 It Is the, general belief that the reply, excepting such confidential portions as