The Washington herald., 1914-12-06

Aiddies to Make Cruise to the Pacific

Failure of Congress to provide for the
maintenance of a sufficiently adequate
army and navy is regarded as criminal
negligence by E. b. Johns. correspond
ing secretary Of the Army League. Mr.,
Johns declared in an interview yesterday
that every great military commander OF
American forces since the time of Wash
ington had warned the nation Of the dan
ger arising from the unpretentious mill
tary policy Of Congress.
IF in a future war all Of the cities on
the Pacific Coast fall the prey Of an in
vading force, as the cities on the Atlantic
coast did in the Revolutionary war, or il
the Capitol is burned, as in the War OF
1872, the responsibility will be entirely
upon Congress-" said Mr.. Johns. Every
great military commander from Washing
ton down to the present day has called
attention to the dangers and criminal
negligence Of the military policy Of Con
gress.
British Sent Few Men.
From the popular histories the impress
sion is gained that the independence of
this country was won by a few ragged
Continentals and minute men from su-
perior force of British redcoats. But the
official reports of the War Department
show this to be untrue. The total num-
Der Of American troops in the Revolu-
tionary war, according to official reports
reached almost 10000, or SS5,S0s, while
at no time were there more than 42o70
British troops on American soil.
In the War of 1872 this country en-
ployed 527.654 troops in a disastrous at
tempt to invade Canada, which was de-
Tended by 1880 British soldiers. The
only great victory of the Revolutionary
war that was won by American troops
exclusively was the capture Of Burgoyne,
and with the aid of the French army
and the French feet CORVALLIS was
forced to surrender.
In the War of 1872 the only land vic
tory was that of Jackson at New Orleans,
after the signing of the treaty Of peace.
The international situation in Europe
compelled Great Britain to withdraw her
troops from American soil.
L. :. Cannot Boast.
Standing alone, without any knowl-
edge Of the military policy of. Congress,
these facts would indicate that this coun-
try has no right to boast of the heroism
of its soldiers. The weakness of our
armies in former wars has not been on
account Of the lack of bravery of the
men who fought, but entirely owing to
the military policy followed by Congress.
II the Continental Congress had taken
the advice of Washington, the Revolu-
tionary war would not have been a
struggle lasting through a long number
of years to be terminated only through
the assistance of France.
"washington's greatness as a military
commander and the glory of the soldiers
who fought under him rests largely upon
the meager support they received from
the Continental Congress. That he should
accomplish so much with militia and
minute men raised under the unwise laws
passed by the Continental Congress is
recognized as one OF the great military
achievements of the world.
Warnings Have Been Many.
Army officers from that day to this
have in one way or the other been called
upon 10 face the same conditions in Con-
lsress that Washington did in the Revo-
luton. Perhaps the United States has
the only legislative body in the world
which assumes that civilians have bet
ter knowledge of military problems than
officers who have given their lives to the
study OF the questions of national de-
fense. Official reports from army officers
for the past fifty years have been teem-
ing with warnings to Congress of the
dangers OF our military policy. VIII Con-
-resS continue to turn a deaf ear to these
warnings and recommendations, despite
the lessons of the European war?
After three years Of study, the Cen
cral Staff of the army, assisted by all
the general officers, has made a report
on The Organization of the Land Forces
Of the United States In this report,
which was made public August 10, 1872. a
plan IS set forth by which the regular
army is To be a nucleus for a great army
that would be needed in the event of war.
II called for the statiOning of certain
troops in the Philippines, Hawaii, and
the Panama Canal Zone. The minimum
number of troops that would be required
TO hold those places until they could be
re-enforced is provided for in the report.
and most of them, with the exception of
those that are to 30 to Panama, are now
stationed at their garrisons.
Fall short of Full Quota.
The remaining troops have been or
ganized into three divisions: one for the
Atlantic. one for the Pacific, and one
for the Central Department, which is
known as the Second Division. The
Second Division is now on the Mexican
border, part of it under Gen. Funston
having been recently withdrawn from
Vera Cruz. But these divisions are in
complete, there being a shortage OF ten
regiments Of infantry. five of field artfl-
lcTy, and signal corps troops. The re-
port shows the shortage and indicates
that there are not sufficient regular
troops in the United States to form the
first line of defense.
The General STAFF has gone as far as
the reorganization of the army as it is
authorized by Congress. 1t remains for
Congress to decide whether the great
problem of national defense will be
solved, first, by Strengthening the regu-
ular army so that it will be able to an
Swer the emergency call of the country