The sun., 1912-07-20
The General stars Plan OF an Army
Reserve.

No feature of army reorganization is
regarded rs more important by the
General STAFF than the creation of a
reserve. The United States has fought
all it's wars with a small regular army
of excellent material but lacking homo
geneity. supported by volunteer regi-
men;s impcrfectly trained and lacking
field experience. The history of our
wars shows that it required six months
of fighting to bring National Guard
regiment up TO the standard OF a rcgi-
nent of regulars; and il the volunteers
were raw l,yies the period of licking
them into shape to fight like regulars
WAS much longer. There has been a
gratifying improvement in National
Guard organizations since the Spanish
war, owing to frequent contact and asso-
ciaf ;un with troops Of the regular army
, in tho summer mannuvrcs; but the
militia, cXccllcn, rs il is in some Of the
true sense.
In the elaborate report providing for
| he reorganization Of the amy which
, the General staff has prepared for the
Information Of Congress it is recon-
mcndcd that the enlistment contract be
for six years. Of which three years shall
be served with the colors; during the re-
naming three years the soldier shall be
, "furlonghed to a reserve and subject to
a call to the colors in time of war only
, The plan coDtcmplatcs an extension Of
service with the colors and also with
the reserve for noncommissioned Of
| liccrs; and in order to increase the re-
serve it is proposed that a soldier who
is quick to learn his duties can be "fIr-
ioughrd' before expiration Of the three
years service with the colors. "A short
color service and long reserve service
is desirable at home" in the opinion OF
the General Staff. because the home
army must have power OF expansion.
In regard to regiments serving in the
Philippines and Hawaii the view ia held
that reduction of service with the colors
and transfer to the reserve should he
allowed only in the case Of soldiers who
desire to settle in those Possessions.
The reservist would bc required to
report his address from time 10 time
and 10 respond to call for periodical
mobilization, receiving nominal paw
for holding himself in readiness; but
the hold Of tho Government upon him
would he based upon the furlough
status rather than upon tho money
consideration. There must be new
officers to command the reserves
when called out. The General StafY
thinks that this problem could be solved
in part by absorbing cadets OF the
military schools throughout the coun.
try and students at the colleges who
receive military instruction from regu.
larly detailed army officers. The report
illustrates:
"It is believed that IL would be in Tn,
interest Of sound policy to utilize younu
mon OF this typo as reserve Lieutenants in
the regular army. Upon their graduation
opportunitie could be given them to serve
with regular organizations a. camps q,
instruction or manEuvres. After such
probationary service II found to be prop.
srly qualified thev could be conm,ssio one,
for a limited number Of Years under an
obligation To serve IN war"
! As'h's soiir'r would nui supply enough
orh""rs ia" appointments, il is pro-
posed should also he open to former OH