The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1912-12-11

definite and effective steps have beer
taken toward army reorganization SC
far as such reorganization lies Within
the executive power. Hitherto there
has been no difference Of policy in the
treatment of the organization Of on
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 instant's notice
against a foe who may command the
sea. Unlike the troops in the United
States. it cannot count upon re-en-
forcements or recruitment. It is an
outpost upon which will fall 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of twelve reduced regiments has been
replaced by a garrison of six regi-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 rifemen at an esti-
mated economy in cost Of maintenance
of over $1.OOO,O00 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
the islands. The officers and men
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-
SOB.
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
a tactical organization Of three divi-
sions, each consisting of two or three
brigades of infantry and, so far as
practicable. a proper proportion of di-
visional cavalry and artillery. or
course the extent to which this reform
DO NolA1Cu w tuc cACCutlNe Is
practically limited to Il 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 go 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 cas- will receive a stated
amount Of pay for all of the period
in which he has been a 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 l earnestly hope
that it will be carefully studied and
perfected by congress.
The National Guard.
Under existing law the national
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, and
its practical efficiency under the effect
Of this training has very greatly i'll
creased. Our citizen soldiers under
present conditions have reached a stage
Of development beyond which they can
not reasonably be asked to go without
further direct assistance in the form
of pay from the federal government.
On the other hand, such pay from the
national treasury would not be justi-
fed unless it produced a proper equiva-
lent in additional efficiency on the part
of the national guard.
The organized militia today cannot
be ordered outside of the limits of the
United States and thus cannot lawful
~ be used for general military pur-
poses. The officers and men are ambi.
tious and eager to make themselves
tAAu IN W OCNOAhC an I'll
cient national reserve Of citizen SOL
diery. They are the only force OF
trained men other than the regular
army upon which we can rely. The
called militia pay bill in the form
agreed On between the authorities of
the war department and the represent
atives of the national guard, in my
opinion, adequately meets these condi-
tons and offers a proper return for the
pay which it is proposed to give to the
national guard.
I believe that it's enactment into law
would be a very long step toward pro-
viding this nation with a first line of
citizen soldiery, upon which its main
reliance must depend in cas- of any
national emergency. Plans for the Or
ganization of the national guard into
tactical divisions on the same lines as
those adopted for the regular army are
being formulated by the war college
- xI~ -o,1uOl 0AoHp