Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1913-02-13

THE FIGHTING STRENGTH Of
the army Of Oahu is to be prae-
ticaiiy doubled as soon as recruits
are available, and can be rushed
from the ma inland. For the time be-
ing, no more reeimentaI organizations
are to be sent here, but every troop
and company is to be raised to war
strength, which will give almost twic:
as many sabres and rifles as are now
available.
This is the present plan of the chief
OF staff Of the army, based on a care
ful study Of army conditions, and per.
sonal conferences with Brigadier Gen.
erai Montgomery M. Macomh, depart.
ment commander, who returned to
Hawai- from Washington on the trans
port Sherman this morning, bringing
news Of great interest to service peo-
pie and civilians as well. The plan OF
the general staff for reorganization
Of the land forces Of the United States,
made public six months ago, eonterl-
plated war strength organisations for
Oahu, but ffFat decision to hurry re
cruIts here was nCt reached until The
conference OF general officers which
recently met in Washington, had fully
discusses the ways and means Of such
Reorganization.
Also, the plan for Oahu's ultimate
military strength has been enlarge
so as to provide three infantry bri
Eades instead of two for the perma
nent garrison. This will make nine
regiments of infantry, almost one
third of the total infantry strencth
Of the army al present, and m r.
than One-third the number of rifles
As all the regiments here will be on q
war strength basis of $50 men to 4;
company. This infantry division vii
be reinforced by full regiment Ol
cavalry and nine batteries of field ar
tillery, while seacoast Notifications viii
be manned by at least ten companies
of coast artillery. A company of on
gineers, a signal company, and proper
tionate sanitary troops will complete
the army of Oahu, as noted in tho
original plan.
The plan for reorganization of tho
army was not passed on by this con
terence of generals which | ATTENDED
in Washington" said General Ma
comb this morning. as he stood OF
the deck of the Sherman and glimpsed
with evident pleasure the familiar
landmarks of Honolulu. "The plar
would have been carried out by th'
Secretary of War in any event, an(
VIC were called to meet merely to Ge
tCrmine the best way Of accomplish
ing an end that all We're agreed wOulC
benefit the entire service. There was
one new feature of the general Staff
plan, added after the conference. how
over. and that was the formation of {
fourth geographical department. in con
tlnental United States, the Southern
Department. This is logical tactiCa
unit, as it includes the entire Mexican
frontier. 1t Is. made up of portion
6f the present central division and
fmall part OF Arizona taken from thE
western division.
NO more regiments or coast arti
Iery companies will be sent here uni
there are quarters available. How
ever, the strength Of the force her,
will be almost doubled by bringing a!
the organizations up 10 war fOOtin'
as soon as recruits can be secured
This is an economical method of in
CreaSing the garrison Of Oahu, a:
there are plenty of officers here tc
landIe the increased number of men
Carrisons Near City.
"Eventually. 10 properly garrison
Oahu according to the plans discussed
at the Washington conference. there
will be three brigades on the island
One of these will probably be a
.SchofieId Barracks to be brOugh' int,
az ti0n as an advance TO repel any
possible invasion. The other TWO viii
be garrisCned nearer the city ON,
certainty at Shafter and the other tC
he available 10 defend the right o
the line. 1t is not decided where thi>
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