Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1912-11-01


rible than the report from battlefield"
Army Absolutely Nothing, He Says.
General Evans was asked IF he be-
lieved the present army and navy ade
quate to protect the United States. He
turned to bookcase and drew forth a
little volume of statistics.
I'VE have nothing" he said, shortly.
Nothing. Sec what President Taft
said on that subject in his inaugural
address:
I'VE should have an army so or
ganlzed as to be capable, in time of
emergency in co operation with the
national militia and under the pro-
visions OF a proper national volun-
teer law, rapidly to expand into a
force sufficient to resist invasion
from abroad, and to furnish a re-
spectacle eXpeditionary force. If
necessary, in the maintenance of
our traditional policy, which bears
the name of President Monroe
How great an army would be need
tu W ISSlSl INV dSlOiIs l@SN Us SNS Il II . l.
the invaders would have to wipe out
our navy. Great Britain could do it.
Germany and France combined could
do It, Then see how the soldiers could
land. The steamship lines. owned by
foreign countries, could land 5000
men month on our shores. Great
Britain could send 100000 soldiers:
France and Germany could send a mil
lion each. Then how would our army
compare with the invaders?"
Evans Would Have Big Reserve Force.
General Evans remedy for the pres
ent appropriateness of the United States
is the formation of a giant body of re-
serves-trained soldiers who may be
called upon at any time and who will be
ready and able to become soldiers again.
General Evans has been chief of the
division Of militia affairs for a num-
Der Of years. and has made a close
study OF the national guard situa ton.
"Reverting to the presidents state
ment of the needs of our army" con-
tinued General Evans, "let us see what
must be done to carry out his recon-
mendations
rs our army capable OF rapid ex-
pansion? No. You can I'LL a company
or regiment with patriotic volunteers.
but they will not be soldiers. That was
proved in the war with Spain Our
regular army is composed of a few
skeleton organizations, with nothing in
the nature of a reserve behind them.
"A trained reserve is the principal
source of the power of modern armies.
AS long as an army has trained re-
serve behind it to draw upon and to
make good losses in the field 1t is prac-
tically indestructible rising from each
baptism of fire with undiminished num-
bers, unimpaired efficiency and in
creased experience.
Every nation of any importance. ex-
cept ourselves, long ago has organized a
trained reserve as part of it's military
establishment. Japan has the latest
modern army among world powers She
could not possibly have achieved her
wonderful successes against Russia If
she had not utilized the principle of a
trained reserve to the fullest extent.
People Should Stir Congress Up.
The first and most important step
is to get trained reserve for our
army. The president. the secretary Of
war the chief Of staff are all recon-
mendtng 1t, but when win congress act?
When the people wake up and demand
that action The question of trained
reserve is intimately connected with
that OF the enlistment period and con-
tract. We must have legislation that
will require a part of the enlistment to
be served with the colors, and the re-
malnder on furlough in the reserve"
General Evans believes a reserv.
forces hould be made up by requiring
enlistment for five years and permit
ting any soldier Of good record to re-
tire upon furlough after one year The
reserve should be built up until It Is
sufficient to raise all garrisons to war
strength, and in case of war half Of
the reserve should be held in garrisons.
ready to replace losses in the field. II
Is his idea that members Of the re-
serve he paid S20 each per annum and
be permitted to join militia organiza-
lions, il they desire They may reside
In any portion Of the United States but
their location must be reported four
times a year to the heads of the army