Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1912-01-29
AS A REFORM.
Secretary Of War Would
Reduce Army Posts,
Thinks That 10 or IS Should
Be Abandoned,
ITO Put an End to Extravaganza
And Inefficiency."

Washington, Jan. 2S.--Acting upon
an exhaustive report by the general
staff, Secretary of War Stimson has
decided that no less than l6, and prob
ably IS army posts should at once be
abandoned, in order to put an end to
the extravaganza and ineffieieney re-
sulting from improper distribution OF
the Mobile army
The posts condemned include Fort
Apache, Arizona, Fort Jay, New York,
Madison barracks. New York; Fort
Niagara, New York; Fort Ontario
New York and Fort Wayne, Michigan
OF Fort Apache 1t is said posi-
bility of Indian trouble near this post
still exists and that Fort Jay might
be retained as headquarters of the
Eastern division and as the site of the
Eastern military prison.
There is another formidable list of
posts from which for practically SINH
lar reasons, the garrisons will ulti-
mately be Withdrawn to such con-
eentration centers as Congress NAV
authorize. These posts include Fort
Ethan Allen, VT; Plattsburg barracks.
y. Y, and d. A. Russell, Wyo. The
last named post is shown to have cost
to date $4,925,4S6.
Secretary Stimson's report is made
IN answer to a House resolution by
Rep Buckley of Ohio.
The principal object of the military
experts is to dispose of the present
small army with distinct reference To
It's mission in case of war This first
involves adequate forces for foreign
garrison, which cannot be reinforced
from the United States after the out
break of hostilities. With the remain.
DER OF the army mobile force is tc
be organized and distributed among
ABOUT eight great strategical points III
the United States, instead of scatter
ed n ~ posts. as now.
Two or three of these groups would
be on line between the st. Lawrence.
and Atlanta, covering the Atlantic sea
board, two or three groups would b,
on the line between Puget sound and
Los Angeles, covering the Pacific sea
hoard; at least two groups between
the Great Lakes and the Rio Grande
serving as first reserves for either sea-
board and for the development of the
National Guard and volunteer forces
" 'SN vi ssStiiiHod III TIC
by the concentration of the army
in eight posts. il is explained the an
nual cost of maintenance of the army
would be reduced by about 81, 500, goo a
year.
The following posts are said to be
SO located as to permit of their beinc
retained as stragetic concentration
points:
Fort Porter Buffalo, n. V. Fort
Ogelthorp, Ga; Fort Mcpherson. At
lanta, Ga; Fort Sam Houston. one
of the best strategic positions for the
Southern center: Fort Lawton, near
Seattle. Wash; and Vancouver bar
racks, Wash, near Portland and the
Presidios of San Francisco and Mon
leroy, Cal, one or both of which may
| be included in the California strategic
| group,
! Furthermore, probably one only oil
the following posts should be retain
ed: Fort Benjamin Harrison, Ind
Columbus barracks, Ohio: Forts Sher.
idan, ILL.,; Des Moines, Iowa; Crook
Neb.; Omaha, Neb.; Leavenworth
Kan. RILEY. Kan. Smelling, MINI.
| and Jefferson barracks, Mo-
Four posts recommended for reten
ton are: Fort Sill, Okla. Forts Bliss
Texas, Huachuca, Ariz., and For
Myer. Va.
Washington. Jan. pa speedy redut
ton of the number of troops in the Phi
ippines by one-half, has been decide
upon by the government. for reasons I
economy and military administer Ia;