Omaha daily bee., 1911-12-10

they could become efficient as fighters
on the other hand. every one of the
sreat nations OF Europe has from a half
Hlillion to a million Of reserves or men
who have had experience in the army
and who are ready to take their places IL
the ranks at the call of their country.
Great Britain has over 100000 reserves,
and its total war strength is 800 600. Aus
tria has about 100000 reserves. and
France has the same while Russia and
Germany have each over 100000. Tho
total war strength Of Germany is 1000.
CO and that of Russia Is 5000 more.
France can call into the field more than
100000 soldiers. Austria Hungary 800
COO. and little Japan can muster out L.
OOeCO0 all told. Italy has more than $780,
900. Sweden and Norway between 100000
and 100000 and Spain with peace
strength equal to ours has 10000 re-
serves. Outside Of this each Of these
countries has a 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
that he has had a training in the reg
ular army.
As I write this a graphic illustration OF
the size of our army as compared with
those OF the other great powers lies be-
fore me. II consists of figures of men
drawn TO a scale. The pgmy representing
the United States army is not as long as
the nail OF my thumb, while those Of
Germany and Russia are as biz as my
whole index finger. As to the cavalry,
the figure which represents Uncle Sam is
France Germany and Russia are giants
in uniform on gigantic steeds. This pic
ture was made for the War college this
year, and it is exact 1t was given TO me
by the chief OF staff.
The Secretary aud National Reserve.
We are accustomed to consider the
militia q mighty addition to the army in
case war shol6d arise. Uncle Sam appre-
ciates the value of these troops, and he
is now having them trained i'm connection
with the regular army and doing all he
can to harmonic and unity the two sys-
! tens. Secretary Stimsun, who has had a
long experience in the New York militia
said to me that the value Of that branch
Of the service might be greatly increased
b. giving it closer association 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 character 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 be-
/ lieves IN. the militia, but he says we need
I'm addition 10 it and IN conjunction with
D "a Of
have had their military training I'm the
regular army and who have gone through
the msnouvers with IL from time to time.
This Is a part Of the plan for the national
reserve which has been proposed as a
part Of the defense OF the nation. II IS
one which the chief OF staff. General
Wood, believes might be carried out with
great profit
How the Swiss DO II.
In talking with General Wood about a
national reserve and the reduction Of the
term Of enlistment ne spoke OK the eff
cheney OF the swiss arins plans, whereby
| that little republic O. aboat TO pat more
/ than $1,000 men into the field. Said nc:
4 spent some time I'm Switzerland not
Ions ago and during my stay there met
! MANI Of the men belonging 70 the re-
: serves. Every man in the country Is a
soldier and Is ready al any moment to
go TO che field. / have stopped at little
houses lar up In the mountains. and have
found there men who have their rifles
aud complete equipments ready for march
ms. Each has his instructions as to Just
what he is 10 do in case OF a telegram
nom the War department. lie knows
what railroad station he is 90 go 10, what
train 10 take ana for what point. The
plans are such that although Switzerlan1
has bat q small standing army, e could
call tOrce OF $1,000 or 1901 900 together
within a few Gays. Service in the natlona
force is compulsory and universal, those
excused Or rejected paying extraordinary