The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1912-12-07

Under the influence OF this study
definite and effective steps have been
taken toward army reorganization so
far as such reorganization lies within
the executive power. Hitherto there
has been no difference Of policy In the
treatment OF the OrganiZatio OF our
foreign garrisOns from those of troops
within the United States The differ
ence of situation is vital, and the for
eign garrison should be prepared to
defend itself at an instants notice
against a foe who may command the
pea. Unlike the troops in the United
States. il cannot count upon re-en-
fOrcements or recruitment 1t Is an
outpost upon which will fail the brunt
Of the first attack in case Of war.
The historical policy of the United
States of carrying its regiments dur
ing time of peace at half strength has
no application TO our foreign garri-
sons. During the past year this de-
feet has been remedied as to the Phil
ippineS garrison. The former garrison
of twelve reduced regiments has been
replaced by a garrison of six regi-
ments at full strength, giving fully the
same number of rihemen at an esti
mated economy in cost of maintenance
Of over S1,O0O,OOO per year. This gar
risOn is to be permanent. Its regi-
mental units. instead Of being trans
ferred periodically back and forth
from the United States, will remain in
hn tel hn
composing these units will. however,
serve a regular tropical detail, as usual.
thus involving no greater hardship
upon the personnel and greatly in
creasing the effectiveness OF the garri-
| son.
The Home Army.
simultaneously with the foregoing
steps the war department has been
proceeding with the reorganization OF
the army at home. The formerly dis
| associated units are being united into
q tactical organization of three divi-
siOns. each consisting of two or three
| brigades of infantry and. so far as
| practicable. proper proportion of di-
visional cavalry and artillery. OF
| course the extent to which this reform
can be carried by the executive is
| practically limited to paper organiZa-
| ton. The scattered units can be
brought under a proper organization.
| but they will remain physically scat
tered until congress supplies the nee
essary funds for grouping them in
more concentrated posts.
Regular Army Reserve.
The new law provides that the sol
der. after serving four years with col
ors. shall pass into a reserve for three
| years. At his option he may 60 into
the reserve at the end of three years
remaining there for four years. While
| in the reserve he can be 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 legislation is imperfect
in my opinion. in certain particulars
but it is a most important step in the
right direction. and / earnestly hope
that it will be carefully studied ant
perfected by congress.
The National Guard.
Under existing law the nationa
. guard constitutes. after the regular
army. the first line of national defense
Its organization. discipline, training
and equipment under recent Legislation
have been assimilated, as far as posi-
BILE. to those of the regular army, ant
its practical efficiency under the effec
Of this training has very greatly in
creased Our citizen soldiers unde
present conditions have reached a stag,
of development beyond which they can
not reasonably be asked to go withou
further direct assistance in the form
of pay from the federal government
On the other hand, such pay from tn
national treasury would not be JUST
fed unless it produced proper equiva
lent in additional efficiency on the par
of the national guard.
The organized militia today canno
be ordered outside Of the limits Of tn
United States and thus cannot lawful
" be used for general military pun
poses. The officers and men are ambi
tiOus and eager to make themselve
thus available and to become an eft
cient national reserve of citizen so
diery. They are the only force o
trained men other than the regula
army upon which we can rely. Th
so called militia pay bill in the form
agreed on between the authorities 0
the war department and the represent
: atives of the national guard, in N
opinion, adequately meets these cond
2 tiOns and offers proper return for tn
l pay which ii is proposed to give to IN
national guard.
| believe that its enactment into la'
would be Il very long step toward pre-
: viding this nation with a first line 0
2 citizen soldiery, upon which its mai
j reliance must depend in case OF an
national emergency. Plans for the Oh
canization of the national guard int
tactical divisions on the same lines a
those adopted for the regular army ar
D being formulated by the war colleg
division of the general staff.
Porto Rico.
f Porto Rico continues TO show notabl
r progress. both commercially and in tn
= spread Of education. Its external con
4 | merce has increased II per cent owe
: the preceding year. bringing the tots
= value up 70 S92.631. SS6. or more tina
= FIVE times the value Of the commerce
:. Of the island in 1901. During the yea
r IGO.6j7 pupils were enrolled in tn
: public schools as against 1855 70
| 4 20