The Twin City star. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1910-19??, 1913-09-19
NEEDS OF ARMY
POINTED OUT
Senator Chamberlain Would
Put It on Better Footing,
WANTS NATIONAL RESERVE.


Canal Controlled and Pacific Domi-
mated improvements Must Be Made.
Measure to Increase Efficiency.
Washington.-The United Stats In
fantry association, the organization of
the infantry officers of the United
States army, gave out an interview
with Senator George e. Chamberlain
Of Oregon, chairman Of the senate
committee on military affairs, in the
course Of which Senator Chamberlain
came out fatfootedly in favor Of plac-
ing the army on a better war footing
than is the case at present.
"As long," says Senator Chamber
lain, "as we maintain the Monroe doc
trine, retain the Philippines, control
the Panama canal and dominate the
Pacific, which is our manifest destiny,
We must have an army adequate to
care for these conditions and meet
emergencies. p
mo one advocates a large standing
army in this country, but we ought to
have as military organization an
army of efficient officers and drilled
men which can be augmented by train
cd men from reserve and supple
mented by the national guard Of the
states.
There has been a great deal Of gen.
eral discussion as to the necessity Of
better preparation for sudden war
emergencies, and there seems to be
quite a unanimous opinion that, at ths
present time our army is wholly IN
adequate owing to the methods that
have been employed. l am heartily in
favor Of such changes and improve
ments in the army as will meet exist
ing conditions. We ought not to leave
ourselves in an attitude where we fear
the possibility Of invasion by Japan on
the Pacific coast or by any other
foreign country on our Atlantic coast,
nor In apprehension as to what might
happen to our troops in case Of inter
ventiOn In Mexico because the army
ls inadequate for emergencies.
1.-THE present session Of congress has
OOCA oSSuplCu Will "ulSu
have taken all the time, so that little
attention has been given to questions
Of national defense until the acute sit
uation in Mexico has brought home to
% the unprepared state of this nation
20 face a sudden war. If there should
not be a peaceful termination of the
Mexican trouble temporary. war meas
ures and makeshifts would have to be
adopted, as has been the case at the
beginning Of every other war in this
country, all of which have been disas-
trous and expensive on account of
their experimental character.
AT the regular session of congress
the subject of increasing military eff
cheney must be considered. The Sec
retary of war has taken pronounced
position on the subject, and we will
await his definite recommendations
with q great deal Of interest.
II am not prepared now to say what
should be done. The plans and details
must be worked out by men of expert.
ence and judgment, but 1t is plainly
apparent that improvements must be
made and the army put in condition to
meet the requirements of the nation.
The formation of a reserve corps Is
very difficult matter and one with
which we have not had experience in
this country. We cannot pattern on
the lines of continental countries
which have q conscription method Of
flling the ranks of the armies and con-
troll all available men for military serv-
Ice. Our army is a volunteer Organi-
ation. The regular army man is
voluntary soldier, who can return to
other occupations at the end Of his
term of enlistment.
AT all events, It seems certain that
the country Is becoming aware Of the
unprepared condition of our army and
will sustain congress in making such
changes as seem necessary to place
the army upon footing to meet emer-
gencies and secure the honor and in
tegrity Of the nation"