The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1911-12-12

has the same, while Russia and Ger
many have each ver 5000, 900. The
total war strength of Germany is A.
600, 900 and that of Russia is 100000
more. France can call into the field
more than 1000, 900 soldiers, Austria
Hungary 1900, 900, and little Japan
can muster out 100000 all told.
Italy has more than 100000, Sweden
and Norway between 100000 and
strength equal to ours has 100000
reserves. Outside OF this each Of
these countries has q large number
Of men who could be called into the
field Just as our volunteers are, and
in some Of them every man and boy
is a soldier in hat he has had a
training in the regular army.
AS I write this a graphic illustra-
ton OF the size Of our army as COM
pared with those of the other great
powers lies before me. It consists
The pigmy representing the United
States army is not as long as the
nail of my thumb, while those Of
Germany and Russia are as big as my
whole index finger. AS to the cavalry,
the figure which represents Uncle
Sam is like a toy soldier on horse
back, while France, Germany and
Russia are giants in uniform on gigan-
tic steeds. This picture was made
for the War College his year, and
it is exact. It was given to me by
the chief Of staff.
The Secretary and a National Re
serve.
We are accustomed to consider the
militia a mighty addition to the army
in case war should arise. Uncle Sam
appreciates the value Of these troops,
and he is now having them trained
in connection with the regular army
and doing all he can to harmonic
and unity the two systems. Secretary
Stimson, who has had a long exper-
fence in the New York militia, said
to me tina the value of tina branch
Of the service might be greatly in
creased by giving it a closer assOcia-
ton with the regular army. He says
that the service has in the past at
times lacked the force and efficiency
that should come from companies Of
the which have been called
into action. The militia is so largely
directed by the States that in times
| of trouble the National Government
has found itself somewhat hampered
in it's efforts to use it. The Secretary
believes in the militia, but he say we
need in addition to it II in con-
junction with it a reserve force Of
regular troops who have had their
military training in the regular army
II who have gone through the
maneuvers with it from time to time.
This is q part Of h plan for the
national reserve which has been pro-
posed as a part Of the defense Of the
nation. 1t is one which the chief
Of staff, General Wood, believes
might be carried out with great proht.
How the Swiss Do 1t.
In talking with General Wood about
a national reserve and the reduction
Of the term Of enlistment, he spoke
Of the efficiency of the Swiss army
plans. whereby that little republic IS
about to put more than 300,0e0 men
into the field. Said he:
II spent some time in Switzerland
not long ago, and during my stay
there met many Of the men belong
ing to the reserves. Every man IN
the country is a soldier, and is ready
at any moment to go to the field.
L nave topped at little houses far
UP IN the mountains, and have found
there men who have their rifles and
compete equipments ready for march
ing. Each has his instructions rs to
just what he is to do in case ~ a
/ telegram from the war denortma,