New-York tribune., 1911-12-11
ARMY UNPREPARED FOR
WAR, ST|MSON REPORTS
Too Widely Scattered and Lack
ing in Reserves and
Artillery.
AN EXTRAVAGANT SYSTEM
Many Posts Useless and oo-
solete-Training of Citizen
Soldiers Urged by
Secretary.

Washington. Dec lO.--ln his annual
report made public to-day secretary
stimson saws that war with first class
poUer would find the army practically
unpreparcd. He attributed TINS largely
tn the fact that the army is scattered
ont over the country in too many pests
and TO lack Of reserves. The army on
the peace footing habltually maintained
with miniature companies and troops lie
characterizes as ineffective for any seri-
uUS war service
As to the Unprepsredness in artillery
and ammunition, Secretary Stmson says
that at IN, present rate Of appropr'a-
ton IL is estimated that it would take
more than fifty years 10 secure a reason
able supply Of field artillery guns car
riages and ammunition that would De
necessary IN the event Of war.
The report says that at a conserNa-
tive estimate the expense for each ef-
fective rifeman is between two ana nVe
times as much as it costs any first class
power on he continent Of Europe. This
COMPARISON is made after excluding
from consideration the higher pay and
better subsistence American soldiers re-
ceive. This fact IS given as an ilustra-
ton OF the extravaganza Of the existing
system OF vide distribution Of the army
Posts Wholly Unfit
The army posts at present located
=, 70 Lead
10 great extravaganza. They were origi-
ually in many cases located with refer
ence to Indian troubles, and few OF them
are in places suited to meet the strategic
needs Of national action or defence. The
average number Of companies TO each of
the forty-nine posts is only nine, The
Secretary says:
In short We have scattered our army
syer tile country as IL IL We're merely
.roups of local conetabulary, instead Of a
national rCaniZaUOn. The result IS an
army Wi ch Is extraordinarily expensive
q. maintain, and one whose efficiency Tor
The main purpose Of its existence has been
nlI,.ned. 20 iar Us geOgraphlcal loca ton
can nulMfy It. IL is true that the small
units into which 10 has thus been sub
divided have as whole maintained en-
.iercy 10 q remarkable extent But for
'he remote contingency by which ma
uoual army must always be judsed--na me
1v the contingency Of g. war with hrst
class power-the army is practically unprc-
pared.
Calling attention 70 the fact that more
than S94.On0O00 has been spent on ex-
isting army posts and that the profit
which each post furnishes TO neighbor-
inc communities causes strong local
s..1
The Secretary says that nevertheless
Steps have been taken and others are in
. the course Of prosecution TO correct these
faults Of organization 50 far as possible.
IL - also contemplated TO remove the
cavalry at the Far Northern posts 70 the
southWard substituting infantry for
-tem The Texas manpuvres showed
th. admirable deptation Ct the South
western states for cavalry training and
oril at al seasons, whereas in the Far
Norh for many months in the year It
ie impossible to drill out Of doors
School of tho Citizen Soldier.
The Secretary commits himself to the
theory that it is q function Of the mod
,rn army 10 be the school of the citizen
soldier as opposed 10 those who con-
tend for permanent organization Of
professional soldiers. Therefore. he dis
.pproves the long term Of enlistment
and favCrs the shortening of the present
term 10 less than three years, so as TO
allow as many men as possible to go
through the training of the regular
army while retaining some hold over the
discharged soldier 10y which he can be
called to the colors in case of war He
adds
fl. army on the peace footing IN which
aaL.i ally maintain H. with its miuia-
Ire companies ana troops, IS ineffective
Tor any serious war service NOT only this,
u IN losses which arc certain TO take
liace during the first SIX months of opera
non VIII amount % 81 very large percent
~. Cl the army strength. II is Therefore
atsgl.tcly imperative that provision should
'. made ly an adequate system Of regu-
.-i reserves, 20 uli up ana maintain TN. 5
.Irf Iuc of defence during the necessary
t.'-" t0at must clapsc while we are PEE
Har ~ and mObiliziug Dur militia and vol
-IteeTs. ll the time with the Colors wore
"'Iteuec. say TO two wears, and the same
.SieIn OF reserves created. / believe that
I'. system could be iuauCurated at much
s expense than our present establish
mont, ana ! believe 10 could be done with
e'i any impairment Of The efficiency and
a.l'hS ci The regular army provided We
'liuL teN some of OUT present WaSteful
.-l.'1s or dhusion. and concentrated ou-
..,hhg army into units which would hermit
u eHeciNe training and Crin.
The Secretary deuounces ae had and
short sighted a system which fails to dis
uhSuish between hardened criminals and
thonsitiess offenders against military law
ana declares for Immediate radical revision
"n1 reform in tine army prisons.
Commenting on tho health of tho or,is,ed
".-" I'D The army. tho Secretary saws:
Iue excellent sanitary record OF Tho army.
.-r urDn uarrCd tGl It's efficiency a.,
.N '.f hiSt percentage OF gsnerrsI diSo.,ses
,Hl.h continue q, hD far in excess Cf 49,
'Dlalhue among other nations and ,rljIt
.aN>'~ more disability than all other con-
at!'.sf n'~eaS'e combined. The Surgeon
GENERAL ln h's report expresses Tie oniniou
To- ~, UNI" has come for This question 10
Ndh1ieu iu a urlu and systematic Wgy
.i. recommends fUr SfoUUagc of nav f,,.
ili1e lost ON account Df these diseases a.
rn, rn, Mporjant step Goo bo taken. This
opinion is shared Iy - large uyu,la. ~
officers OF general and held rank who haze
-lFen The matter careful consideration 7
concur WIN this recommendation. and I
urge mat leg station Boz passed which viii
aDiA"rII' lne -toppagC ~ pay OF both Off
rot a'u"" s'rr'c" caused bv such disc
Consolidate Supply Corps
As q measure Of economy and sound prac-
rce the consolidation Of the quarterrna e.
. fer's. subsistence and pay departments into
: one general supply corps IS suggested. with
/ fle assertion that tlo immediate result VIII