Mexico Missouri message., 1912-12-12

diately raised TO full strength. Bat
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 soldier, after serving four years
with colors shall pass into a reserve
for three years. At his option he may
10 into the reserve at the end OF three
years, remaining there for four years.
While in the reserve he can be called
to active duty only In case Of war or
other national emergency, ana when
so called and only in such case will
receive a stated amount of pay for all
OF the period in which he has been
member of the reserve. The legisla-
ton Is imperfect. in my opinion, In
certain particulars, but It is a most
important step in the right direction,
and l earnestly hope that 1t will be
carefully studied and perfected by
congress.
The National Guard.
Under existing law the national
guard constitutes, after the regular ar
my, the first line of national defense.
It's organization, discipline, training
and equipment, under recent legisla
ton. have been assimilated, as far
as possible, to those of the regular
army and It's practical efficiency I'M
der the effect OF this training, has
very greatly increased. Our citizen
soldiers under present conditions have
reached a stage of development be
yond which they cannot reasonably be
asked to 60 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 justified unless
It produced a proper equivalent In
additional efficiency on the part of
the national guard. The organized
militia today cannot be ordered out
side of the limits OF the United States,
and thus cannot lawfully be used for
general military purposes. The Off.
GERS and men are ambitious and eager
to make themselves thus available and
to become an efficient national re-
serve OF citizen soldiery. They are
the only force OF trained men, other
than the regular army, upon which
we can rely. The so-called militia
pay bill, IN the form agreed on be.
tween the authorities of the war de-
partment and the representatives OF
the national guard, in my opinion ade-
taI. 30 nd
offers a proper return for the pay
which It is proposed to give to the
national guard believe that its en-
actment into law would be a very
long step toward providing this ma
ton with a first line of citizen sol
diery, upon which It's main reliance
must depend in case OF any national
emergency. Plans for the organisa-
} ton of the national guard into tao
teal divisions, on the same lines as
| those adopted for the regular army,
are being formulated by the war col
lege division Of the general stan.
National Volunteers.
The natioanl guard consists OF only
about 10000 men. In any serious
war in the past 1t has always been
necessary. and in such a war In the
future It doubtless will be necessary,
for the nation to depend, in addition
to the regular army and the national
guard, upon a large force of volun-
teers. There is at present no ade-
quate provision of law for the raising
OF such a fore. There is now pend
ing in congress. however, a bill which
makes such provision, and which |
believe is admirably adapted to meet
the exigencies which would be pre-
scented In case of war. The passage
of the bill would not entail dollars
expense upon the government at this
time or in the future until war comes.
But II war comes the methods therein
directed are in accordance with the
best military judgment as to what
they ought to be. and the act would
prevent the necessity for a DISCUSSING
OF any legislation and the delays in
cident to It's consideration and adop-
ton. l earnestly urge its passage.
Porto Rico, Mr.. Taft says, contin
ues to show notable progress and he
urges the senate to pass the bill grant
ing the Porto Ricans American citizen
ship.
Philippines.
A bill is pending in congress. con
tinues the message. which revolution
ICES the carefully worked out scheme
OF government under which the Philip
pine islands are now governed and
which proposes to render them vir
tually autonomous at once and abso
lutely Independent In eight years
Such a proposal can only be founded
on the assumption that we have now
discharged out trusteeship to the FIJI
ipino people and our responsibility fol
them to the world, and that they are
now prepared for self-government as
we'll as national sovereignty. A thor
ough and unbiased knowledge Of the
facts clearly shows that these assump
tions are absolutely with justification
As to this. believe that there is nc
substantial difference OF opinion
among any OF those who have had the
responsibility OF facing Philippine
problems in the administration Of the