The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-08-28
FIvE-YEAR TERM
BEING DISCUSSED
Militiamen Interested in Pro-
Posal to Lengthen Period
of Enlistment.
OPINIONS DIFFER WIDELY
Hay Blocked for Time by Re-
markable Ruling OF
Roosevelt.
OPINIONS DIFFER WIDELY

Officers and men of the virg,,,,
Voiuhteers are watching with the
Neehest interest the result of the
movement. now well under way 10
iensthen the term of enlistment in IN.
army from three to five years. With
tne inevitable result of application uf
me same rule to the organized militia
tnc proposition will vitality affect The
interests of the National Guard every
where.
Local officers have somewhat differ
ent opinions on the subject Some OF
thcm are Inclined to the opinion that
'he longer term will deter the enlist
l'eht oil many desirable men. by the
simple mental process of making nve
years of possible distastefui ser.
wee look longer than three years. on
.he other hand. there are those who
90 not believe any appreciable number
OF men VIII be kept out OF the ranks
since frst enlistments are usually of
very young men. to whom five years
OF service would not prove especially
ions. In case of removals from the
CITY, honorable discharges are always
granted in times of peace.
The officers who look with favor an
the proposition think that to large
degree the same arguments being used
by the proponents of the heightened
term would be applicable to the mill
tiamen.
Hay Is Patron.
bill covering this point is already
before Congress. where it was nitro
duced by Representative James Hay.
or the Seventh Virginia District, who
is chairman OF the Committee on Mill
tary Affairs of the House of Repre-
elaborate program of reform and re-
trcnchment and a new deal in the
war Department, and his plans have
peen Endorsed 10 a large extent by the
officials of the department. and by the
Secretary of War.
n rather interesting proposition with
regard to this portion of Mr.. Hays
program has just been considered and
settled. Mr. Hay sent out letters to
those officers of the service who are
the most likely, by reason of long ex-
perience or of being closely associa ted
with the recruiting branch, asking
their opinion on the increase Some OF
the officers recalled rule promul-
gated by President Roosevelt some
years ago. forbidding any officer from
giving any information or expressing
any opinion save through regular
military channels. This ruling has re-
Gently been severely condemned by
military journals. 1t is pointed out
that OF all other demands for in
formation. that from Congress should
come first, and of all in Congress, the
first claim to be considered should be
that OF the chairman of the Military
Affairs Committee of the House
All May Reply.
However. the point made has been
settled An officer at Fort Monroe
made official inquiry OF the War De-
partment. and was instructed to an
swer the questions OF Mr.. Hay.
Those who favor fve-year term
for all enlisted men. say that In view
of the large number who leave the
army after their first term. more
capable and thoroughly drilled force
would be available at all times, com
posed Of soldiers with a longer aver
age length of service than is now
the case. Besides, the nation would he
saved large amounts in travel nay at
the end Of the term. and in expenses
of transportation at such times Also.
the pay claimed by men who re- enlist
for the furlough period would come
less frequently
The Hay bill will be considered at
the coming regular session of Con-
gress