The Hartford republican., 1913-05-02
WOULD ASSEMBLE
Army OFTENER
War Secretary Would Have
Frequent Concentration.
Believes There Are Too Many Bar
racks In Country for
Good Of Service.

Washington, April 27.--ln a state
ment tonight Secretary Garrison,
pointing to the American army scat
tered in small units throughout the
country, impossible of coalescence
for practical measures of battle, urg-
ed the Importance of assembling bri-
gades and divisions periodically and
temporarily in times Of peace for war
training pending the adoption of q
governmental policy for the adequate
distribution of the army.
Epitomizing his idea. the Secretary
said:
Il hope that war may never come;
butein the present stage of civiliza-
tion, we must recognize the possi-
bility. and it is with this idea in
mind that i say believe 1t will be
well for the country If our legisla-
tors would make provision for the an
nual- assembling of at least one di-
vision. as school, wherein our Of
ficers mihgt be given that practical
training whcih is so necessary to de-
velop educated generals and staff Of
ficers. We, may not need a large arm ,
but II should be one which in organi-
zation and training Is as nearly per-
feet rs 1t is possible to make 1t. OthA
erwise, whatever is spent is not
bringing its full efficient return-and
this applies to thought, skill and
training, as we'll as to money"
Discussing the question of fu-
ture military policy for the United
States, Secretary Garrison said it
seemed to be agreed that there were
entirely too many army posts at the
present time and that many of them
were not where they were useful or
desirable under existing conditions.
Whether this situation should be
remedied," he continued, ''by concen-
trating the army into a few quite
large posts or into only as many as
would permit a regiment at least to
be quartered in each, l have not as
yet formed any definite conclusion in
my own mind.
''Much may be said effectively up
on each side of this question. hope
when I get the time to give this mat
ter my most earnest consideration,
with a desrie to reach a conclusion
that is best for the army, which of
course, will be that which is best for
the country"
p The statement set forth the pri-
mary objects which impelled former
Secretary of War Stimson to reor-
ganize the army into the existing
scheme of brigades and divisions. as
follows:
First-The definite assignment Of
commanders, their staff officers and
organization to the higher tactical
units, which hereOtofre had always
been done in times Of stress and con-
fusion, and after war had been de-
clared or hostilities begun; and, sec
ond, the higher tactical rtaining of
the commanders, their staff and the
organizations 30 as to make them e.
fective.
The purpose Of the order. insofar
as the first object is concerned, has
been accomplished" the statement
continued, "the accomplishment Of the
second object of the order will not be
SO immediate or easy Of execution.
sowing to circumstances over which
the army has no control. and as re-
suit in large measure Of the nee
essities which In the past may be sait
to have been vital to the development
of our country. the army is stationed
In many posts and in many CON-
mands.
This scattered condition prevents
that practical training Of brlgades
and divisions and their commanders
and staffs which is essential for war
purposes. .-f9'
until some such plan can be work
ed out, It will readily be seen how
important u is that at times the
larger units be assembled temporarily
for the purpose of what may be called
war raining
Irrespective Of the purpose Of the
temporary concentration of the pres
ent division In Texas under command
of Mai. Gen. William II. Carter and
considerde only as school. the Sec
retary said the>expense will be more