The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1912-12-12

war our regiments would be imme-
diately raised TO full strength. But
our laws have provided no means by
which this could be accomplished, or
by which tho losses OF the regiments
when once sent to the front could BIO
repaired, In this respect we have
neglected the lessoni learned by other
nations. The new law provides that
the soldier, after serving four years
with colors, shall pass into reserve
for three years At his option he may
20 into the reserve at the end OF three
years. remaining there for four years
While In the reserve he can be called
to active duty only In case OF war or
other national emergency, aud when
so called and only in such case will
receive stated amount Of pay for all
of the period in which he has been a
member OF the reserve. The legisla
ton 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 and perfected by
congress.
The National Guard.
Under existing law the national
guard constitutes, after tho regular ar.
my, tho FIRST line Of national defense
Its organization. discipline. training
and equipment. under recent legisla
ton. have been assimilated. as far
az possible, to those OF the regular
army and It's practical efficiency. un.
der the effect OF this training. has
very greatly increased. Our citizen
soldiers under present conditions have
reached a stage OF development be
yond which they cannot 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 justified unless
II produced q proper equivalent In
additional efficiency on the part OF
the national guard. Tho organized
militia today cannot be ordered out.
side OF the limits OF the United States,
and thus cannot lawfully be used for
general military purposes. The Off.
GERS and men are ambitious and eager
to make themselves thus available and
to become an efficient national re
serve OF citizen soldiery. They are
the only force OF trained men, other
than the regular army, upon which
we can rely. The so.called militia
pay bill In the form agreed on be
tween the authorities OF the war de
partment and tho representatives OF
the national guard. In my opinion ade.
Quately meets these conditions and
offers proper return for the pay
which It is proposed TO give TO the
national guard. ! believe that its en-.
actment into law would be very
long step toward providing this ma
ton with a first line OF citizen sol
dlery. upon which its main reliance
must depend in case OF any national
emergency. Plans for the organiza
ton OF the national guard into tao
teal divisions, on the same lines MS
those adopted for the regular army.
are being formulated by the war col
lege division OF the general stan.
National Volunteers.
The natloanl guard consists OF only
about 10000 men In any serious
war in the pact It has always been
necessary, and in such war in tho
future It doubtless will be necessary,
for the nation to depend, in addition
to the regular army and the national
guard, upon large force OF yolun'
teers There is at present no ade.
quate provision Of law for the raising
OF such force There 10 now pend
ing in congress however, bill which
makes such provision, and which |
believe IL admirably adapted TO meet
the cxigencies which would be pro
scented in case OF war. The passage
Of the bill would not entail a dollars
expense upon tho government nj this
time or in the future until war comes,
| But II war comes the methods therein
directed are in accordance with the
best military Judgment as TO what
they ought to be- and the act would
] lltFNlL lll' ItAfnNAN1 A'A - ''N.'''.'''4~
OF any legislation and the delays In.
! cident to It's consideration and Rdop.
/ ton. I earnestly urge its passage
Porto Rico, Mr. Taft says, contin'
ues to show notable progress and he
urges the senate to pass the bill grant.
ing the Porto Rlcans American citizen.
| ship.
Philippines.
A bill ia pending In congress, con
tinues the message which revolution.
izos the carefully worked out scheme
| OF government under which the Philip
pine islands are now governed and
which proposes to render them vir'
tually autonomous at once and abso'
lutely Independent in eight years
Such u proposal can only be founded
on the assumption that we have now
discharged out trusteeship to the FIJI
ipino people and our responsibility for
them to the world, and that they are
now prepared for self-government af
we'll as national sovereignty. A thor
ough and unbiased knowledge OF the
facts clearly shows that these assump
lions are absolutely with justification
Az to this, believe that there Ia nc
substantial difference OF opinion