The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-12-10
GARRISON OPPOSES WILSON.
PLEADING FOR BIGGER ARMY

provide ourselves with the necessary
means of self-protection and self-defence
we could not hasten or in any way favor
ably influence the ultimate results we de-
sire In these respects"
Reviewing the forces OF the army ana
their disposition Secretary Garrison
shows that on June 80. 1914. there were
only l.Is5 officers and 2eiO5 men In the
mobile army within the continental United
states. that we have reserve of sixteen
men. that all organizations in the United
states are at peace strength. with infantry
companies of 90 pen instead OF 100 men.
cavalry troops OF 30 men instead OF 100.
batteries OF 1873 men instead OF III men !.
that IL every man in the National Guard
should respond 10 duty the United States
could raise in the field the grand total OF
ISIS officers and 1892 men, though 1t
Is not at all believed that all OF the Ma
tIonal Guard could be counted upon.
Not Enough Ammunition.
The Secretary states that I'VE have
nothing like sufficient artillery and srtil-
lery ammunition" and urges that Congress
make further increased appropriations for
reserve supplies.
OF aviation he says:
I'm present day strategy and tactics
the Aviation Corps has bid fair 90 he
come the eyes OF the army and general
commanding an army without an ade-
equal strength with an adequate flying
corps would be In the position Of II blind
man contendlng against man with
sight"
Also:
The universal utilization OF motor
transportation in the present war has
vastly increased the mobility OF armies.
| II Is necessary that We keep abreast OF
! the times in utilizing motor vehicles for
| army transportation. II might be worth
while 10 devise ways and means of Or
| ganiZlng into "A volunteer motor transpor-
| tation reserve the motor vehicles adapt
able to military use now in the hands OF
| private citizens"
| Mr.. Garrison declares he does not
| recommend at this time such substantial
| increases as would probably result from
| comprehensive study of the needs OF the
country. leaving that 70 the future. Call
| ing attention to tho fact that the increases
In outside garrisons (Which will. he de-
clares. not give the Panama Canal an
adequate defence) will leave only 1880
! Coast Artillery troops in the United States
and mobile army of 2fSo2 men. or
slightly more than twice the number OF
policemen In New York city.
Wants $4,000 More Men.
| MY recommendation OF wha. we should
! Immediately do" the Secretary says. "is
to nil up the existing organizations which
| compose the aggregate mobile army force
| Just mentioned 20 their full strength, This
| would require $4,000 men. In addition
20 the enlisted men JUS, mentioned We
should be authorized to obtain 1000 more
| officers. The legislation to accomplish
| these purposes would be OF the very sim
plest character, being merely authorize
| lions TO the Department to do these things
| "On June 80, 1914, 2O.43 per cent. II
| the line officers OF the army were away
| from their commands. This results in
depicting the proper quota OF instructors
| In the army. The instruction OF the or
ganized militia suffers wofully from the
| lack or officers available for service witt
| the militia. Efficient officers, above al
things. cannot be improv!sed
with the army thus increased we
| would then he able TO undertake the next
necessity. which is absolutely imperative
| and that is the preparation Of n reserve
The present legislation with respect to a
| reserve has proved utterly useless for the
purpose. IL having produced in twenty
four months only sixteen men.