Yellowstone monitor. [volume] (Glendive, Mont.) 1905-1928, 1912-12-12


J several bills which were presented to
me in the last session OF this congress.
Now that new congress has been
ei2cted on a platform OF q tariff for
revenue only rather than q protective
| tariff, and Is to revise the tariff on that
basis, It Is needless for me to occupy
the time Of this congress with argu-
naents or recommendations In favor of
protective tariff
Army Reorganization.
Our small army now consists of s3,-
800 men, excluding the 5000 Philip
pine scouts. Leaving out Of considera-
tion the coast artillery force, whose
position is fixed In our various sea
coast defenses, and the present garri-
sons of our various insular posses
sions, we have today within the con-
ttnental United States a mobile army
Of only about $4,000 men. This little
force must be still further drawn upon
to supply the new garrisons for the
great naval base which In being estab
iished at Pearl harbor. In the Hawaii
an Islands, and to protect the locks
now rapidly approaching completion
at Panama.
The forces remaining in the United
States are now scattered In nearly
fifty posts. situated for a variety of
historical reasons In twenty-four
states. These posts contain only frac-
tons Of regiments. averaging less than
700 men each. In time of peace 1t has
been our historical policy to admins
ter these units separately by a geo
graphical 0rganiza ton. IN other words.
orr army in time Of peace has never
been a united organization. but mere
~ scattered groups Of companies. bat
talions and regiments, and the first
task In time Of war has been to create
out of these scattered units an army
1T for effective team work and coop
Grafton.
A comprehensive plan OF army Feor-
ganization was prepared By the war
college division Of the general stafs
Under the influence or this study
definite and effective steps have been
taken toward army reorganization so
far as such reorganization lies within
the executive power. Hitherto there
has been no difference OF policy III the
treatment of the organization Of our
foreign garrisons from those OF troops
within the United States The differ
ence of situation is vital, and the for
eign garrison should be prepared 10
defend itself at an instant's notice
against a foe who may command the
sea Unlike the troops In the United
States, it cannot count upon re-en-
forcements or recruitment 1t is an
outpost upon which will fall the brunt
Of the first attack in case Of war.
The historical policy Of the United
States of carrying its regiments dur
ing time Of peace at half strength has
no application to our foreign garri-
sons During the past year this de-
feet has been remedied as to the Phil
ippines garrison The former garrison
of twelve reduced regiments has been
replaced by a garrison of six regi-
ments at full strength, giving fully the
same number Of rifiemen at an esti
mated economy in cost or maintenance
Of over Sl000,000 per year. This gar
rison is to be permanent. Its regi-
mental units. instead Of being trans
ferred periodically back and forth
from the United States. will remain In
the islands. The officers and men
composing these units viii, however,
serve a regular tropical detail, as usual.
thus involving no greater hardship
upon the personnel and greatly in
creasing the effectiveness OF the garri-
SON
The Home Army.
simultaneously with the foregoing
steps the war department has been
proceeding with the reorganization OF
the army at home. The formerly dis
associated units ARE being united into.
. tactical organization of three divi-.7
sions. each consisting OF two or three
brigades of infantry and. so far as
practicable. II proper proportion Of di-
yisional cavalry and artillery. O
course the extent TO which this REFORM
can be carried by the executive is
practically limited to paper orgnniza-
ton. The scattered units can De
brought under a proper organizaf ton,
hut they will remain physically scat
tered until congress supplies the Nee
essarv funds for grouping them in
more concentrated posts. Il
REGULAR Army Reserve. /
The new law provides that the sol-
der. after serving four years WITH col
ors. shall pass into 4 reserve Tor three
vears. AT his option he mag 90 into
the reserve at the end Of three years.
remaining there for four years Whiie
IN the reserve be can be called ana
onlv In such case will receive o staIea
amount OF pay for all OF the penoa
n which he has been member OF the
reserve. The legislation is Imperfect
n NV opinion. In certain particulars: !:
nuf # Il q most important step u Inss !
,.,cht 1 direction. and ! earnestly pope
that If win be carefully studied anu
narfgcted By congress.