New-York tribune., 1912-03-12
f.7rom Tho Tribune Bureau)
rrrnhinnAnn Ma L


STIMSON'S SOUND ARGCMENT'-Sec-
retor1, stimson told the House Committee
on Military Affairs some plain truths to-
day. which, while doubtless most utpaia'a
ble to men who are seeking by every posi-
ble means TO create political capital "eio
SO forcefully put that they commandeo
large measure of respect Mr., stimson was
heard at his own request on the militia
bill which is being considered by tho iiouse
committee, and which would appropriate
50 100000 for the pay and maintenance oil
the militia, and which, incidentally Woniu
reouire the President. when calling on the
militia TO serve with the regular army 10
accept the brgadier generals, the colone's
and other militia officers named hy the
Governors of the several states at the RAM
they enjoyed in the state organizations MI
Stimson sprang bomb in the committee
when he exhibited the official opinion OF
the Attorney General that under the con-
stitution the President could not require
the militia to serve outside the boundaries
of the United States He pointed out that
there might be a wide difference of opinion
between the commissioned and the enlisted
personnel Of the militia. and that In eS-
Of the enlisted personnel he spoke with the
advantage Of nine years personal expert
ence in the militia. He gravely douoteo II
the enlisted personnel would care 10 go INTO
| battle commanded by officers without spe-
cial military training and who owed their
rank 10 the prefernent, usually pohtlcai' OF
their respective Governors. Then, speaking
| as Secretary of War, Mr.. Stimson pointed
out that II was his duty 10 seek TO OBTAIN
| from an expenditure of 100000 the great
est possible return in defensive security 10
the country. He gravely doubted II the
| return from the proposed measure would ne
at all commensurate with the expense. He
wanted TO know IL the committee purposed
| 10 regard this expenditure as oftsettlng the
abolition of the five regiments OF cavalry,
which he declared to be greatly needed
| and. finally, he pointed out that the res
| toration of these five regiments and the
| establishment OF an army reserve Of sufti-
| cient proportions to permit of the prompt
recruiting Of the regular army up to 10000
in time of war could be accomplished for
all amount hardly as large as that which
the Democrats purpose 10 devote to paying
and maintaining the militia. The Secretary
pointed out that provision could be maze
| hv an amendment to the bill whereby mill
| tia regiments could be re-enlisted rs vol
| unteers in the regular army In time or
| need and so could be sent out OF the
| United States. but he expressed doubt that
| such a provision would be welcomed by the
militia itself The efforts Of the Demo
cratic members TO shake the Secretary In
his testimony proved Of no avail, and the
members gave evidence OF being considera-
| bly, disconnected by the convincing and
straight -from-the-shoulder character OF MS
arguments.
| A REPUBLICAN WOOL BlLL.-Weary-
ing of the inexpicable delay of the Demo-
| cratic members OF the Ways and Means
Committee in presenting a bill revising the
wool schedule. the minority members OF
the committee held a meeting to-day and
began the final draft of measure which
the Republicans will present when the ma
iority finally decides 10 act. The report OF
the Tariff Board on the wool schedule mas
been in possession of the Ways and Means
Committee for two months, but the Demo-
Gratis have disregarded 1t. and In the mean
time have presented bills revising the steel.
chemical and sugar schedules. on none OF
these did the majority have scientific In
formation. Minority members of the com
mittee have heard a persistent rumor OF
late that the Democrats purpose to put raw
wool on the free list AS the Tarin Boaro