New-York tribune., 1911-04-02
He's Been Getting Only Half Value for His Money Some
Army and Navy Officers Say and They Think hat
the Suggested "Counci of National Defence
Would Quickly Remedy This Evil

Wv yITHTN the next twelve months there
M will probably be established in the
w United States a Council OF Ma
ional Defence" It's primary purpose VIII
I, he to lay down permanent military policy
upon which this country shall work In the
future. In the council will be brought TO-
gether representatives Of Congress, the
Presidents Cabinet, the active organiza-
tions of the army and navy and the two
big strategic institutions, the army and
navy war colleges.
The civilian or Congressional. representa-
tives in tie council will re equal in num-
ber to the combined representation OF the
army. navy and Cabinet. Under the d-
rection of this council. a body such as the
United States has never had. the amount
70 he expended for the army and navy, the
way it shall he spent, the policy to which
all military development shall conform. and
tho extent to which the country shall en-
large it's defences and its equipment, will
ne thoroughly thrashed out and determined
upon before any appropriations arc asked
from Congress.
ThisN scheme was proposed al the last
session of Congress. and although highly
indorsed. it failed Of passage because OF
the short time given tO general legislation.
Recent developments resulting in the
mobilization Of "A part If tho army along
the Mexican border. the fact that every
detail Of the equipment and preparation OF
the army for action Is now under the
closest scrutiny. and the fact that army
and navy experts agree tha: some definite
military policy must he laid down by the
United States TO prevent enormous waste
of money, make it probable that the new
scheme for "A council of national defence
VIII become law as soon tho new Con-
gress settles down TO work
Positive statements by leading officers
of the army and navy make it clear that
the United States is spending more than
$23o. 900 every year on its military
equipment. without any definite policy
being followed. AMI without getting much
more than half the value of its money
Major General Leonard Wood declares
that mo one knows what we are trying to
do" Brigadier General William w Woth-
orspoon. president Of the Army War Col
legc says that the army could BE enlarged
and made three times as efficient for the
money now being spent. Rear Admiral
Wainwright says that both the army and
navy could be greatly improved i'm eifl-
cheney without costing more money
Officials of the army do not mincc mat
ters in declaring that II general council To
prerare a military programme for the
country has become an absolute necessity
The Technical men" as the active heads
Of the army call themselves. are virtually
left TO prepare the military policy, and II
changes as often as their identity or their
opinions change They carry IL to Con-
gresy. ana Congress nay change 1t again
by cutting down the estimates for appro-
priations. and completely upsetting the
plans Of the men they often regard as
",nthus!asts."
TIE proposed council OF defence IL is
planned. shall Toe mace up az follows:
The Secretary II War and the Secretary
o( tho Navy.
I'll. rha'rmcn e the Finance, Military
Affairs ana the Naval Afairs committees
uf the Senate.
TIL. ohairmen Of tho three corresponding
committees at tie House
The clief II staff ~ Tho army
The naval aid for operations of the nect.
Tho presidents of tho Army War College
and the Navy War COLLEGE.
Such council would concern itself only