The enterprise. [volume] (Harlem, Mont.) 1899-1926, 1912-12-12

has assumed that at the outbreak OF
war our regiments would be imme-
diately raised to full strength. hut
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
go 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, and 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 leg1sla-
tion is imperfect, in my opinion, In
certain particulars, but it Is a most
important step in the right direction,
and l 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 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 stage of development be-
yond which they cannot 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 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,
duU illus CdullOL ld" lOA1y w ooSN 'ON
general military purposes. The DILL
| 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
| feR11 IN hn.
tween the authorities of the war de-
partment and the representatives OF
the national guard, in my opinion AIDE
quately meets these conditions and
offers a proper return for the pay
which it is proposed to give to the
national guard. l believe that its en-
actment into law would be a very
long step toward providing this ma
ton with first line of citizen sol
diery. upon which its main reliance
must depend in case Of any national
emergency. Plans for the organiza
ton of the national guard into tao
| teal divisions, on the same lines az
those adopted for the regular army
are being formulated by the war col
lege division of the general staff j
National Volunteers.
The natioanl guard consists of only
about 100000 men. In any serious
war in the past it has always beer
necessary, and In such war In TIM
future it doubtless will be necessary
for the nation to depend, in addition
to the regular army and the natlona
guard, upon large force of volun
teers. There Is at present no ade
uuate provision of law for the raising
of such force. There is now pend
ing in congress, however, bill whlcl
makes such provision, and which
believe Is admirably adapted to NEE
the exigencies which would be pre-
scented in case Of war. The passag
of the bill would not entail dollar
expense upon the government at TIL
time or in the future until war comes
But if war comes the methods therel
directed are in accordance with tn
best military Judgment as to Wha
they ought to be, and the act woul
prevent the necessity for discussin
of any legislation and the delays II
cident to it's consideration and adol
ton. l earnestly urge its passage.
Porto Rico, Mr.. Taft says, conti1
ues to show notable progress and h
urges the senate to pass the bill gran
ing the Porto Ricans American citizel
ship.
Philippines.
A bill is pending in congress, CO.
tinues the message, which revolution
ICES the carefully worked out schen
Of government under which the Phil
pine islands are now governed ar
which proposes to render them vi
, tually autonomous at once and abs
lutely Independent in eight year
Such proposal can only be founde
! on the assumption that we have no
| discharged out trusteeship to the F
ipino people and our responsibility II
them to the world, and that they al
, now prepared for self-government
| we'll as national sovereignty. A tho