The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-01-14
U.S.. FAR FROM READY
FOR WAR, SAYS WOOD
Not Enough Shells for One Big
Engagement, He Asserts ip
Annual Report.
NEEDED TROOPS LACklNC
FavOrs New Reserve Law ana
Would Teach Boys and
Citizens to Shoot.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 13--Thr tuned
states army REINFORCED with thu en',r.
militia forces Of the States has neither
the ofFicers, men. field guns nor artillery
ammunition which would be required IN
the first few weeks Of a war with any
first class power. says Major-Gen. Leon
ard Wood, Chief of STAFF. in his annual re.
port made public here to-day.
Gen. Wood holds that "a reserve NJ
trained men available for duty with tho
United States forces In the event OF war
Is tho chief need In connection with tho
maintenance Of military defences. Next
in Importance he places the urgent need
for more field artillery to bring this arm
OF the service up 20 the minimum amount
required In proportion to the number ~
other troops There Is hardly enough a.
tlllery ammunition In tho United States
to supply the existing batteries with
enough shells for one big engagement
Gen. Wood recommends the creation Of
sufficient additional regiments to permit
the organization OF three complete IN.
fantry divisions, or one field army. He
also favors legislation providing for the
elimination from the service Of all officer.
who have either outlived their efficiency
or who have failed to make themselve.
useful.
encouragement OF rife practice among
civilians and school boys. expansion Of
army camps for college students, estab.
lished expermentally last summer; moro
strict supervision of State militia organ
| cations and tnsistence that the colleges
| receiving Federal land funds conform 20
| the letter and spirit Of the law in ths
matter OF military instruction and drill
among their students are among other
| recommendations. This report is Gen.
Woods last one, as he Is TO be relieved
| as Chief of Stan next April.
Small Force Available to CaII.
| Gen. Wood says that the mobile arr
within the limits Of the United States
Is SO small as to provide only per cent.
Of the force required in a conflict with
| first class nation. The militia forces
| number about 10 per cent of the total
force required. bringing the entire trained
| force available at n call to arms to ONLY
25 per cent OF that required at tho out
| set.
Seventy-fve per cent. therefore. OF the
| forces required at the beginning of q Wa
| would have to be made up OF volunteers
| UNFRAMED men. whom military experts
| regard as worse than useless until months
have been spent whipping them into
| shape.
ITO fill up organizations to full statu
| tory strength with unrestricted m''.
| says Gen, Wood. would he to deStr",
| largely their efficiency: to fail to M Then
up would be to leave them so small thai
| they would have relatively little pow'r.
They must be filled UP by instructed me-
to attain their full efficiency. and thu
losses OF the first months must be mad
up from the same class of men. TIL.
can he done only through "A reserve.
Legislation should be had SO as TO Civ,
| an enlistment which will permit a man
| transfer to the reserve after years ser
vice provided he Is IA well trained soldic'
| as determined by his company and pos
commanders. \ soldier so transferre
would serve the balance Of his enlis,meu'
period In the status Of soldier on flr
| Tough without pay. but under the obliga
| ton to come to the colors In case of VI.
| and for instruction at mannuvres II
| deemed advisable, for not to exceed So
| TO ten days every other year.
| Whatever system OF reserve .-
| adopted, IT should provide ultimately 70
total reserve service OF at least tV
| and one-half times the service with 'h'
| colors.
| 1T need not be much. and II is safe g.
| say that We can secure a reserve undo
| conditions as to cost which will give as
| ten reserv!sts for the cost OF one MAJ
| with the colors.
| Reserves Needed TO He Prepared.
"One thing Is absolutely certain. an
| that is that we must have an adeauat'
| reserve II we are to consider ourscye'
| in any way properly prepared for a pos
| sible war;.
OF the shortage In field artillery. gun
| and ammunition. Gen. Wood says
THE existing shortage constitutes
| serious menace to the public safety
| case OF war. Once host!lities have beEu.
| with first class power there will be 'n
| opportunity to purchase abroad nor g.
| manufacture at home. Even with T.I
| available plants In the country runni0s
to maximum capacity so much della
| would ensue as to he fatal to our hopc.
! of a successful campaign"
Gen. Wood recommends for the rcl"
| artillery an Increase OF twelve battalio'
| in five yearly increments the orgau.It
| ton OF the ammunition service. the Hn
| preparation Of moneys sufficient to p"
vide ammunition for existing guns, rnu
| legislation to furnish the desired office
and trained personnel for the mobili1'
ton OF the field artillery in war
| The maintenance Of regiments aNrotN
at full strength with maximum Of q
men to company il recommended ais
| This would result in an economy Of -,
| 100000 in administrative expense. '
| says. II carried out with respect 10 eve.
! regiment on foreign service by keep
| the total number of men the same
| reducing the number of regiments.
| Gen Wood says that the War -"
| partment should not keep any man
| foreign service for more than six Era
| continuously, u.s. longer service rosult-
n degree of disability most expensN' p
| the Government.