The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-09-16
GENERAL WOOD IS
WINNER IN FIGHT
SUCCESSFUL IN LAUNCHING HIS
PLAN FOR REORGANIZATION
|, OF THE ARMY.
BITTER ANTAGONIST
MOBILIZATION In TEXAS AND MAN
AEUvERs. ALONG. BORDER
FULLY DEmoNsTRATED THE
NEED OF CHANGE. '
BY VICTOR ELLIOTT.

WASHINGTON, Sept. 15.--General
United States army. against the OPP
position of a Democratic house and
especially against the bitter antagon-
ism of Representative Hay, of Viz
ginia, has been successful in launch
ing the plan of the general stan for
a complete reorganization of the
army That modernization of this
branch of the services is much needed
is evidenced by the recent maneuvers
in Texas and the mobilization along
the Texas, New Mexico and Arizona
border.
1t was demonstrated at the time
that the army utterly lacked require
ments to make 1t a mobile force OF
sufficient strength to repel an In
vasion. Conditions obtaining through
out the United States and in the In
sular possessions have been source
OF criticism by the head OF the army
and although many suggestions were
made to congress designed to better
the service. distractions weye met
with on every hand. Notwithstanding
this chaotic condition. General WOOD
sand his staff, with the assistance or
the army war board and the support
of President Taft, the whims of Ger
tain congressman and senator's have
been overcome and there Is now some
likelihood that the United States army
will be put on footing second to
none in the world.
Wood Explains Plan.
General Wood, in explanation OF
the army reorganization plan. has
this to say: .
ANY plan for the organization OF
the land forces of the United States
should be based upon a recognition
~ the fact that these forces are and
muxt be divided into two distinct
parts.
y The army on service beyond the
territorial limits Of the United States.
2. The army within the territorial
limits of the United States.
Tho army ON detached service De-
,.ona .ha, territorial limits Of the e United
st,tes consists or detachments requfr-
al Id meet the special military prop
,eu,s OF the Philippines, Panama, oann,
Alaska. Porto Rico. Each OF the de-
,achments has a distinct tactical ms
sion and Is to operate WITHIN
stricted territory. All or them ne
pend upon overseas communics.,ioas
them NAV therefore be isolated ior
considerable periods, especially IN the
rrtt;cal frst stages of war. 1t IS
/; rt7erefrrts- eApie4as.- according to hil1-
tarv men, that under these cireuna-
stances these detachments should %
! nrepared to meet all military eIhet
vencies until re-enforcemen from
the United States can be REASONABLY
expected.
within the United States the army
rs on an entirely different basis. In
the time of peace sufficient garrisohs
should be provided for the outiyihe
possessions and the residue at nome
should be organized with view oi
ultimate expansion into SUCH = y ~
forces as national interests may re-
quire-
plan For Outlying Possessions.
The plan provides that in the phil
fppinas there should be maintained
four regiments OF infantry, two regi-
! ments of cavalry, two battaifons or
geia and mountain artillery, two com
panies OF engineers, two companies OF
signal troops, twenty-four companies
of coast artillery, fifty-two companies
Of scouts, ambulance company and one
field hospital This force has been
in the archipelago during the past
year.
At tina naval base at Oahu, HAWAII,
commanding approaches at Pearl Har-
t Dor and supporting militry strength
OF Panama, six regiments OF infan-
try, one regiment OF cavalry. three bat
taiions OF field artillery, one company
OF engineers, one Aeld company of sig
nal troops, ten companies OF coast
artillery. one ambulance and one Held
| hospital corps are provided
Panama Is regarded as the most i'm
portant strategic position. BY con-
troll of the highway the effectiveness
of the naval strength is Increased. and
therefore large permanent garrisons
are urged The peace strength OF the
fsthmus provides for three regiments
pf infanty, one battalion OF field ar
| Sillery. ere sanadran ~a OF. cavalry. enc