Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1911-09-23
Chief of Staff Proposes Big Re-
serve Force Made Up of For
mer Soldiers and National
Guard.
CHIEF OF STAFF IN
ALBUQUERQUE FOR DAY
Accompanying Secretary of
War StimSon, He is On In
SDeCtion Tour OF Military
Posts in Southwest,

To increase the efficiency of the ma
iionul guard divisions of the various
states to establish a well drilled, ex-
pcrenccd ana capable reserve by
using an men who have served time
in the regular army or the volunteer
militia: and to detail for service with
the national guard 2S0 experienced
ana competent army officers rs in
etructors. is the present plan of the
general staff Of the United states
nrmE as outlined in this city yestcr-
day by tie chief Of staff. Major Cen
eral Leonard Wood. This will provide
a big increase in the actual defensive
forces of the United States without
materially increasing the general es-
tablishment, in the opinion of the war
department,
General Wood was in Albuquerque
yesterday for the first time since 1856,
At that time he was a contract sur
geon who had applied for and obtain
ed active service against the Apache
Indians now he is senior major gen
oral of the United States army, chief
OF staff, and recognized everywhere
as the man for the emergency should
one arise
During the day. General Wood took
up his time in going around looking
Il, ,I1 In ~ 20 nd N
up his friends of former days. He
called on as many Rough Riders as
he could find, and those he could not
find. went to the Alvarado last night
and called on him. He greeted them
all with good fellowship and WAS
heartily glad to see the mon Of his
old regiment For be it known. many
claim that General Wood was the real
colonel of the regiment, and ii was
under him they achieved whatever
fighting fame they had
This is the first time ! have been
here since So" said General Wood,
who is no longer slim young doctor,
but Il seasoned, hardened veteran with
some weight to carry and plenty of
lie i'm him to carry it. Il remember
General Lawton. Lawton who was
then a captain, and | came through
here with the detachment in charge
of old Geronimo. We put up in Al
huQuerque for about a month, and
had a splendid time. The folks in Old
Albuquerque, there was not much of
the new town then, treated us with
the most lavish hospitality and gave
us dances and banquets.
That reminds me. the only real
estate investment | had for a long
time was in New Mexico, it ~ not the
only one | have now but | have it
still he continued with a twinkle in
his steel blue eyes.
In those days everything was wide
open and there was roulette wheel
on every corner, and a faro game be-
hind every wheel OF course, the Old
Town supplied the bulk of the popula-
ton, and in those times was quite a
place, We were quartered there, and
! remember very wildly there were
number of remarkably pretty girls
In the town"
In referring to plans of the mill
tary establishment Of the United
States, General Wood said. I'VE are
all very much interested in the work
OF the national guard and have great
hopes for It's future. AS an earnest Of
lhis let me say that ii Is eX
nectcd shortly that details will be
made from among the regular army
Officers, so that an officer Of expert
enre can be placed with each regiment
"l infantry, each regiment of cavalry
ana each battalion of field artillery.
Ihis will mean use for some $50 Of
hcers Of the regular establishment.
New Mexico will get her assignment
lor her national guard which, under
stand, Is very creditable body Of
Ntlzen troops,
Tn addition to this, plans are on
loot for the establishment of re-
serve to be composed of the men who
nave served III the army or national
guard. This viii give us force Of men
Who have had sufficient training TO
give them the rudiments of SOL
"irrs duty, as well as those who are
soldiers by training ana experience a
reserve of this character will make
very strong and effective fighting
force"
General Wood surprised many of his
".a friends by his memory for names
re seemed to recall the names of the
'Ilehas of his first visit here without
any trouble, and during the CONVEX
sallon at the Avarado mentioned
Pulte casually that Colonel John Bor-
ipdaile was at that time about to
S' hurried. General Wood called on
~"Jor i. Ruppo, whom he knew in
Wv carry days. and the two had a
rieasaht chat about old times and old
conditions