The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-01-12
Large Appropriation Asked.

As result of the inquiry big increase
In the size Of this years appropriation for
the army IL expected. The Secretary ot
War has greatly increased his estimates
and is hopeful that the committee will see
ft to pass favorably upon nearly every
item. The bill itself will probably be-
ready for consideration by the House soma
time before the end OF January
Representative Hay Of Virginia. chair
man of the Military Affairs Committee
said to-day that the bill would be reported
TO the House as soon as there was prob
ability OF Its immediate consideration. lie
declined to comment on the statements ot
Secretary Garrison and Major-Gen. Wood
and refused to intimate what action tho
committee would take regarding the
recommendations.
Particular emphasis is placed upon this
country's responsibility attendant on the
operation of the Panama Canal. Both
Secretary Garrison and Gen. Wood centre
all their recommendations about the canal
and cite Its additional responsibilities as
the reason for our present unpreparedncss
either for offensive or defensive war.
Where Troops Are Needed.
"In the event OF war a landing party
OF small dimensions could use a compare
lively small amount OF explosive where
any locks and dams are so that they
would completely destroy 1915 900. 600
worth of work that Is "a tremendous COM
Rerc!al and military asset"
This II the statement Secretary oc
War Garrison made to the House Military
Affairs Committee resard!ng the military
protection OF the Isthmian waterway. He
said there should be more than 5000
troops on the Canal Zone to-day. There
are about 1900
lie said also that this nation should
have 5000 men IN IN" Hawaiian Islands.
There are less than 1000 soldiers gar
r.soned at Hawai-. Mr.. Garrison de-
ciarei that II he should send 10000 men
out OF the country our army remaining ~
home would be far too small for It's neces-
sary work even In time Of peace. He ad-
vocates raising the authorized strengh
from $4,000 men to 100000.
I'VE must send 5000 men to Panama ~
once" said the Secretary. They mus
be there in time Of peace--before war
rumored. Nowadays n nation vii. elo
no notice Of attack. The japanese saye
the Russians no notice. While diplomacy
is dealing with International disputes We
must do nothing that will indicate THAI
we expect any other than a peaceful con-
clus!on OF those troubles We could not
make 4 military movement. II We should
send men 10 the canal then II would -
said were not acting In good faith.
To hold the zone We must have the men
there all the time ready FOR anything,
The army is far too small for the WORK
Il is expected to do. smaller than would
possibly be conceived ~ an offensive OF
defensive force In the extremity OF actun
hostilitles. l have made recomme NJ
tions FOR an increase In the army ard for
a great quantity OF arms and ammanl-
ton"
To have the rarrlsons at Panama and
Hawaii thoroughly trained in their par
tlcular work the Secretary OF Wag recon-
mends that full regiments recruited -
their war strength be stationed 'hc'e.
This he asserts would prevent domora!y1-
ton IN time Of stress because OF the iG-
trusion OF unframed men.