Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1914-01-15
CEN. WOOD URGES
TRAINED RESERVE
Recommends More Artillery,
Three infantry Divisions
and Promotion on Merit.

nashingto; Jan, "a -Four steps Of
vital importance, essential to place the
Emitted States army in state OF reason
nble preparedness FOR possible war, We're
recommended to Secretary Garrison yes
terday by Maior-Gcneral Leonard Wood
" his last annual report as chief of
staff General wood proposed:
First establishment of reserve
of trained mon. sufficient to bring the
resulnr army Immediately to full
statutory strength, ana to replace thu
losses Of The frs. three months OF
war
Second-Prompt provision OF the re
naming - per cent. Of the field
artillery project, includine guns. ~
yet unprovidcd for, and the necessary
ammunition for those now made or
under manufacture.
Third-Crcation of the necessary or
ranizations to give three complete
tactical infantry divisions within the
continental limits of the United
States.
Fouth-Enactmcn of such personnel
legislation as will eliminate effective
lv the unit and stimulate the efficient
officer to continued efforts through
establishing a condition under which
progress i'm rank and command wi
have a close ana dependent relation
ship upon capacity, fitness and ac-
complshmeut.
The establishment OF the reserve
and the completion of the artillery
project. General WOOD said, should be
carried out at once to avert disaster
in time Of war. The shortage Of am
munition, he added, constituted a
grave danger, as the ammunition
could not be manufactured without
great delay.
FIELD ARMY OF 10000.
Tho tactical infantry divisions are
neces sary to complete one field army
Of about 10000 regular troops within
the continental limits of the United
states. This would mean a field army
Of about 10000 mobile troops in a
population of more than $4,000, 600.
The report referred to the Mexican sit
uation only I'm connection with the border
patrol for the enforcement of the neutral
ity laws ana the protection of the peo-
pie on the border General Wood said this
work had been performed in an admir-
able manner, indicating a high degree of
discipline The division assembled at
Texas City, he said, had been maintained
in excellent condition. the camp santa
ton rejecting great credit on the medi-
cal corps.
In connection with the creation of a
reserve, which he regards as the mos,
important army matter that has been
before Congress in many wears. General
Wood pointed out that in case Of war
the army would require Immediately sew
eraI thousand officers. He suggested the
creation of a reserve Of officers by select
ing each year 100 young men from the
graduating classes of military school.
with army officers as instructors. to be
commissioned provisional second lieuten.
ants in the army for periods of one year
subject only to physical exhaustion.
NEED TEN REGIMENTS.
If the infantry regiments abroad are
to be maintained at full statutory
strength, the report said, ten additional
regiments must be provided
General Wood expressed the opinion
that the Philippine scouts should not he
included in estimating the strength Of the
army and pointed out that their exclusion
would permit the organization Of the in
fantry, field artillery and engineers neces-
sary to complete three tactical infantry
divisions
To encourage the DEVELOPMENT Of the
cavalry arm now sadly deficient, in The
militia. legislation, the general suggested
authorizing the maintenance Of a limited
number II horses for the guardsmen
New York, he said, was the only State
which had made progress during the year
towards the completion OF a divisional
militia orga nizHtior ana its militia may
shortly be expected 20 complete the plan.
for smoothly passing into federal service
in case Of need The report favored fed
oral pay for the militia when It r. prompt
iy available for federal service
General Wood recommended aGmittinf
20 the military academy upOa physlca
examination oloro, young men 81 propc,
character who have passed entrance ex
animation to schools and colleges who's,
tests e"Eal requirements ut West ta!r.
Though the consolidated qrarte~maatel
cops mas operated successfully, che re
port advised that it should be relieved o
ell construction i7o-k, winch should b,
transferred to the engineer corps. A!st
The ordnance department should m1nu
facture all qVSrte--luster supplies Wh;c,
II can make.
Closer accountability Hy the colleges re-
cciving government aid and Instructor
was recommended.