The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1914-12-14
SENTIMENT GROWING
FOR ENLARGED ARMY
Members of Congress See Ne
cessity for Increasing Mill
: tary Forces at Early Date.
By John SNURE.

Whether Congress takes any action
on the Gardner-Lodce resolution for a
commission 10 investigate the prepared
ness OF this country To- defend itself or
- Conduct war. The dIS"Vssioa of pre-
Daredness has greatly quickened inter
est in the subject in Congress.
Already there are evidences OF vide
spread public discussion of the state of
the national defense. This is reflected
IN both Senate and House. and r1any
members OF those bodies are porting over
army and navy problems 10 an extent
never known at the Capitol since the
days of the Spanish war.
The result already has been TO develop
consideration among members, in infoT
NAL ways, of various methods of
strengthening the American military
system. along with the naval forces
Foresee An 0verhauling.
that there will result complete over
hauling of the legislation with respect
20 army and navy. or rather with re-
Epect TO the whole broad problem of
national defense, is a possibility fore
seen by some members of Congress.
Not that such a result is yet in sight.
II would be impossible TO bring il about
this winter in any event. But il the
European war continues and the world
keeps on evincing the same energy in
war preparations that IL is now evinc-
ing; IL there is no end to the European
conflict by the time the next Congress
enters on its regular session, year
from this winter, il Is easy to foresee
IL
fense system viii be accentuated 10 a
degree much greater than now.
Already 4 number OF bills relative 10
the military and naval situation have
been introduced. These, in general,
Iook TO strengthening the preparedness
of the country in greater or less eX-
tent. No little sentiment exists in Con-
Sress as matter OF fact. for sys-
rem Of conscriptioD under which young
men would serve for a short time WITH
the colors. acquire training, and then
90 back to civil life. !
Only Private Discussions.
Talk of this sort. however. is. as a
rule, confined TO private discussion in
she cloakrooms. for the politicians think
It unpopular to advocate such a policy,
and most of them prefer to advocate
some form OF military preparation
which will continue to be based on the
,olunteer system.
4 great deal OF sentiment exists in
Congress for legislation such AS the
Federal pay bill. to strengthen the
national guard. The view is held by
numerous members that = reserve can
r,e built up through the national guard. !
Psssave of & Federal pay bin. II not
this winter then at the next long ses-
Tbe hiiI introduced by Senator Cham
herlsin for g council OF national de-
tense, the plan Of Secretary Garrison
20 add - 900 men 10 the regular army, |
md provide for g thousand more army |
s,nicers the proposal Of Senator Weeks |
10 shorten the enlistment term TO two
Years and build up reserve OF trained |
men who would receive small annual /
sums Of pay, the Gardner-Lodge mea- /
sur for an investigation by a nation {
u securitv commiss'on-an these, as 4
well as different plans under discus 1
sion for the strengthening OF the navy. |
emphasize the fact that preparedness !
Is 2 live subject at the Capitol
VIII Air Their Views.
Although little or no new national /
defense legislation is set in sight for !
tais session. apart from the sppropria- I
ton bills. the discussion of the appro- !
urrations this winter VIII result in both |
houses IN a general airing Of views on
Preparedness.
II is = significant fact that in Al
ruinIstra:ion circles there Is more of |
. diEDOsition 10 recognize that further |
preparedness IS essential than there |
vas some weeks ago. President VIII |
son himself. IN his message, favored a |
.itiZenrv trained TO arms. and since
Secretary GarTison's report come out 4
close friends of the President have said /!
hc p a. in accord in a general wav with (;
hat Mt Garrison SAID. Secretary Gar /
-ison's ideas cannot b. any means be /,
considered those Of a standpatte- with |
aspect 10 the military.
The recent speech Of Senator Weeks |
g. the Senate in favor oC a reserve based |
81 shoTT-term enlistments was in ad- !
'ocscy OF about the came ideas as 10 q /
-eserve held bv Secretary Garrison, Gen. |
leonard Wood. and a good many other |
NiEh military authorities Of this country. !
re Weeks plan II causing a great deal
- comment among his colleagues.
Objection To the Plan.
one Of the objections urged against
'- e that men ~ for the army could
-ot be Induced 10 volunteer for term
# Two years. 70 be followed by a period
Il some years on the reserve list az .
-1y rate Of annual pay. As viewed by
me members. the Weeks plan is prac-