Omaha daily bee., 1914-11-19
LARGE ARMY URGED
BY WOTHERSPOON
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BILE territory Of Alaska in It's Isolated
position against an enemy with any mill
tary power by placing there n garrison OF
less than 800 men verges on the ridiculous
unless We have ample forces at home 20
occupy that territory in the very earliest
stages OF an impending conflict. As re-
CARDS the Hawaiian islands. all military
persons Will recognize that the proposed
garrison in this possession IL far below
what II should be to meet a serious at
tack"
Need Philippine Protection.
Outlining his view OF the army's first
line requirements, General Wotherspoon
said
Careful consideration OF our needs
would indicate advisability and necessity
for having ut all times available at home
and In addition to the necessities in our
foreign possessions in the first line of
our military establishment q mobile force
OF at least 10000 thoroughly trained and
thoroughly equipped fighting men. with
adequate supplies for the operation Of
this force for q period of at least six
months. This Is q conclusion that seems
to have been reached by all those who
have given careful consideration OF this
question. II II also agreed that we
should have as a second line thoroughly
equipped and trained force OF organized
militia OF not less than 10000 men prop
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erly proportional as TO its staff and sew
eral arms with stores and supplies neces-
sRry for its operation in the field for a
like period"
General Wotherspoon outlined the plan
through which he wolld double the
strength of the regular army and create
the reserve. The enlisted men would
servo a short time with the colors. then
pass into the reserves for periods OF five
or more years. being at all times under
obligation TO respond In case OF national
need.
Assuming" tho report continues. the
adoption of a short term OF enlistment
say three years-for the passage OF the
men thoroughly trained IN the school Of
the regular, or standing army into the
reserves and that men so trained should
not be held In the first reserve for a
longer period than five years.. II would
appear that the size OF The regular or
standing army 10 be used as a school
for the training OF reservists should be
hbOhN auo.vvV ttlAHtcu
Reserve Would Steadily Increase.
III from such an army. organised on a
basis OF three years training. We dis
charge yearly that increment below the
grade OF sergeant which has completed
its three years training. we would have,
with due allowance for deaths, etc. In
the first year OF its complete operation
an army OF 263 100 (206 900 plus IS 100 re-
serves); In the second year an army OF
s22. 400 (SoS.OoO plus li7.40o reserves); In
the third year an army OF $4,000 cos. 900
plus ii6io0 roserves); In the fourth year
an army Of t29.S00 (26.Ooo plus 2StS0o re-
servesl; in the fifth year an army OF
Aas.5OO (2O6.OOo plus 1880 reserves).
After this the army would be main
tanned at the last figure and In addition
we would be accommodating trained men
In the second reserve at the rate OF about
70 600 each year"
General wotherspoon contended the
proposed system would be economical
inasmuch as the reserve officers and men
would receive pay only during their ac-
tive service and on being called to tho
ooiOrs. He added that he saw no reason
why the same principle as 20 reserves
should not be applied to the organized
militia In that connection. however, he
says lit must be admitted that unless
there be q material change In the laws
government. that branch OF our military
will bring about a greater reliance upon
and an increased control by the general
governmet. that branch OF our military
establishment cannot be regarded and
depended upon as reliable force"