Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1912-12-30
ARMY MEN PLAN
IN VIEW Of WAR
Clash With Great Britain Over
Canal Considered Probable
by Military Leaders.

Atlanta army officials will watch with
more than usual interest the approach
ing trip of Brigadier General Robert K.
Evans, L. S. A., commander Of the
Department Of the Gulf. to Washington
for a conference with Secretary of War
Stimson, Major General Leonard Wood,
and others, on plans to reorganize the
army General Evans leaves January
G. and win be in conference with the
army men January s.
Although the roster Of the United
states army shows S7,259 men. this ip-
cludes troops now doing service in the
coast artillery, in the Philippines, in
Hawaii. and Panama, who are not
available for immediate service in
mobile army Less than 10000 men are
ready for immediate service at anS
given point. and it is the purpose o.
the army chiefs to increase the numbel
to a total of 1000, 600. capable of repeIl-
ing any invading foe
Seek Trained Reserves.
The former term Of enlistment was
three years, but the new order makes
seven-year term. with three or -four
years service and the balance spent in
reserve. Trained soldiers. subject to
recall for service, declare war maker,
will be able to uphold the honor of the
country where recruits would fail.
There is deep concern among army
men over the Panama canal, and the
impression is that war with Great Brit
ain is Inevitable If the United States
finally exempts coastwise American
ships from paying toll; also that the
country faces extreme humiliation if it
takes a position favoring England and
the other powers.
Army leaders declare that if the
United States insists on the exemption
of American ships it is only question
Of time before Great Britain will send
ships and forces down to take the canal.
Ship Exemption Might Bring War.
With four naval vessels to one owned
by the United States government. it is
pointed out she could do that handily,
and there would be little appeal, either
through the medium Of peace or that OF
war. Which nation win care to tackle
the United States first remains to be
seen. but it viii be the one which is hit
the hardest
Jealousy of Germany by England, and
vice versa, has heretofore kept America
safe. but the violation Of the Hay
Pauncefote treaty. if exemption Of ships
is "A violation, likely will bring on war
with the latter country. And America.
so the wise men say, will be caught en-
tirely unprepared.
Plausible congressman declare that
should England and the United States
go to war, the latter country would
take Canada and also resist success
fully any invading force but those who
look gravely at the situation point to
similar declarations and the actual per-
| formances in the war of 1912, when
American soldiers We're easily turned
back from the Canadian border and
! England was only bested through cir
cumstances beyond her control.
Treaty Is Not Clear.
Elihu Root, formerly secretary OF
war, and the present secretary are IN
aIteraby opposed to exemption FROM
! tolls, and in this position they oppoa
President Taft, who has fixed tolls for
! all classes of ships, excepting American
vessels engaged in coastwise trade
The Hay Pauncefote treaty provides
among other things, the treatment Of an
| nations ships alike. and the mooted
| question is whether all nations" in
cludes the United States or means "ail
other nations"
This treaty superseded the Clayton
BuIWer treaty Of the early '30s, Tha
| latter pact, it is said, made it almos
/ impossible FOR the United States ever 80
build and maintain a canal like tnae
through Panama