The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1912-12-06

I graphical organization. In other words,
! our army in time of peace has never
been q united organization, but mere
ly 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
| fit for effective team work and coop
Grafton.
| A comprehensive plan of army reor-
ganization was prepared by the war
college division of the general staff.
Under the influence of this study
definite and effective steps have been
taken toward army reorga nization so
far as such reorganization lies within
the executive power. Hitherto there
has been no difference of policy in the
| treatment Of the organization of our
foreign garrisons from those Of troops
within the United States. The differ
eign garrison should be prepared to
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of twelve reduced regiments has been
replaced by a garrison of six regi-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 of maintenance
of over $1,O0O,oOO per year. This gar
rison is to be permanent. It's 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 will, however,
serve regular tropical detail, as usual,
! thus involving no greater hardship
upon the personnel and greatly in
creasing the effectiveness of the garri-
son.
A similar policy is proposed for the
Hawaiian and Panama garrisons as
fast as the barracks for them are COM
pleted. strongly urge upon congress
that the necessary appropriations for
this purpose should be promptly made
1t is, in my opinion. of first Importance
that these national outposts, upon
which successful home defense will
primarily depend. should be finished
and placed in effective condition at the
earliest possible day.
The Home Army.
Simulta neously 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-
sions, each consisting of two or three
brigades of infantry and, so far as
practicable, a proper proportion Of di-
visional cavalry and artillery OF
course the extent to which this reform
can be carried by the executive is
practically limited to paper organiza-
ton. The scattered units can be
brought under a proper organiza ton,
but they will remain physically scat
tered until congress supplies the nee
essary funds for grouping them in
more concentrated posts.
Regular Army Reserve.
One Of the most important reforms
accomplished during the past year has
been the legislation enacted in the
army appropriation bill of last sum-
mer, providing for a regular army re-
serve. Hitherto our national policy has
assumed that at the outbreak of war
our regiments would be Immediately
raised to full strength. But our laws
have provided no means by which this
could be accomplished or by which the
losses of the regiments when once sent
to the front could be repaired. In this
| respect we have neglected the lessons
learned by other nations.
The new law provides that the SOL
der, after serving four years with COL
ors, shall pass into a reserve for three
years. At his option he may go into
the reserve at the end Of three years,
remaining there for four years. While
in the reserve he can be called and
only in such case will receive a stated
amount Of pay for all of the period
in which he has been a member of the
reserve. The legislation is imperfect,
in my opinion, in certain particulars,
but it is most important step in the
right direction, and 1 earnestly hope
that it will be carefully studied and
perfected by congress.
The National Guard.
Under existing law the national
guard constitutes, after the regular
army, the first line of national defense.
Its organization, discipline, training
and equipment under recent legislation
have been assimilated, as far as posi-
BILE, to those of the regular army, and
its practical efficiency under the effect
of this training has very greatly in
creased. Our citizen soldiers under
present conditions have reached stage
of development beyond which they can
not reasonably be asked to go without
further direct assistance in the form
of pay from the federal government.
On the other hand, such pay from the
national treasury would not be justi-
fed unless 1t produced proper equiva-
lent in additional efficiency on the part
OF the national guard
The organized militia today cannot
be ordered outside of the limits Of the
United States and thus cannot lawful