Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-12-25

HE National Guard has a stout
defender and energetic ad-
vocate and an understanding
instructor in Maj. Gen. Leonard
Wood. 1t is doubtful if any
chief OF staff of the army ever more
thoroughly ingratiated himself with the
citizen soldiery members of the guard,
say. than has Gen. Wood since assuming
his duties as chief of staff of the United
States Army.
Himself an officer who saw his first
service in the line as United States
volunteer. in 1898, Gen. Wood has al
ways manifested a marked interest in
militia affairs. and since his appointment
as chief of staff he has drummed stead
lily on one idea--the development of mil
itary resources through the development
of militia. To put this idea into action
he has advocated just what the militia
of the various states have been clamor-
ing for--additional active officers for duty
as instructors OF the citizen soldiery.
Gen. Wood has voiced his faith in the
future OF the national militia many times.
The National Guard. its possibilities and
capabilities, has occupied prominent
place in his public utterances and his
various reports.
Gen. WOOD started what developed into
widespread agitation in favor of militia
development when he pointed the way to
the representatives of the various state
military bodies at the last convention of
the Interstate National Guard Associa-
ton He advised them to work for an
extra officers bill which had been pend
ing in Congress for two sessions. He
told them to get busy with their repre-
sentatives and see the bill through
The bill. which calls for 612 additional
officers for the regular army. had previ-
ously been in the hands of the military
committees of the two houses. For the
occasion 1t was switched TO another COM
mittee. the bill being changed to promise
the detail of a regular army officer of
active standing with every regiment or
separate battalion OF militia and referred
tc the committee on militia affairs. 1t
has every prospect of passage this ses-
sion.
In speech and report Gen. Wood has
preached the policy Of preparing the
country for war by preparing the militia
He has advocated a closer relationship
between the National Guard and the reg
association with the regular army in
times OF national peril. But at the ban
Guet of Burnside Post 6. A. r.. in the
New Ebbitt Hotel last week Gen. Wood
advanced theory that shows his real
interest in militia affairs. Instead of
dwelling continually on the preparation
of the militia fer the regular army he
advocated the preparation of the army
for the militia. He took cognizance of
the civilian viewpoint" and admitted its
value to the regular service. Gen. Wood
said in part:
We hear much talk from one side OF
the military question of the tremendous
military resources of the country. True.
they are tremendous. but they are Clnde-
veloped- They are invaluable if the other
fellow gives us time to develop them.
But We are afraid he won't always give
US that time.
THE principal work now is In develop
ing those military resources through or
ganizine and instructing the militia Il
was with view to extending this work
;hat We have asked for about 600 add.
tionai officers for the army. OF this num-
Der about one-half will be detailed to the
militia. so that every regiment or sepa-
rate battalion will have a regular army
officer of active standing for it's instruc-
ton.
Gen Wood said the instruction would he
as valuable to the army as to the militia.
rs: the officers. after four-year tours OF
duty. would return to the army. bringing
with them the civilian viewpoint q
knowledge that would stand the regular
organization in good stead when the ne
ctssity of utilizing the militia for war
purposes arose.