The Washington times., 1914-10-12
WAR WILL AID ARMY
OF u. s., SOL0N SAYS
Chamberlain Believes Conflict
Will Bring About Laws for
Greater Efficiency.

That the war in Europe will not bring
about an enlargement of the standing
army Of the United States. but that It
will have a tendency to promote leEis-
lation to increase the efficiency Of the
army. is the view expressed by Senator
Chamberlain of oregon, chairman of
the Senate Military Affairs Committee.
Senator chamberlain is no believer in
a large standing army, but he does be-
lieve in keeping such an army as the
nation has. at the highest point of ef-
ficienCy Moreover. he feels that ade-
quate provision should be made for the
armlng and equipment Of a large force.
Especially in the matter Of field artil-
Iery, Senator Chamberlain thinks the
country should not omit to make wise
preparation.
How helpless the United States would
be from the standpoint not merely Of
men, but of armament, in case of war
with first class power has been many
times emphasized bv military experts.
1t takes years to build up a supply of
modern uuick-firing artillery. The Uni
ted states has made good beginning in
providing high class field guns, but it
is only beginning, and would soon run
short of batteries if ii undertook the
equipment of armies in a great conflict.
Against Large Army.
The people Of this country will never
permit a large standing army" said
Senator Chamberlain. Il do not ex-
pect to see the European war have much
Of an effect on military legislation by
Congress next winter. For my part,
sec no likelihood that We will become
involved in that struggle. ! introduced
sometime ago resolution giving
authority to increase the army organi-
cations to their full strength. That
would make the force about 10000 men.
l believe this should be done.
Il feel that while we should not have
large standing army. such as we have
should be maintained at the very high
est point Of efficiency. That will be
what ] shall advocate. Moreover. We
should make ample provision for war
materials. What is the use of having
an army if adequate equipment cannot
be had for them? The shortage in field
artillery is something which has been
repeatedly pointed out. 1 believe it was
calculated that when it came to field
Senator Chamberlain believes the true
American policy is 10 have plenty of
young men in this country trained to the
use of arms, without being taken from
civil life This is along the lines of the
Swiss plan. 1t is in harmony with what
some Of the ablest American army men
in recent years have advocated. He
thinks great work can be done in this
respect by the schools.
Schools Aid Plan
A great deal has been done already
in the schools to give the boys and
young men a knowledge of military
affairs which would be valuable in case
OF war" said Senator Chamberlain
The agricultural colleges. for instance,
have done much through the training
and instruction given by army officers
detailed to them. I think the time will
come when the high schools generally
will give such training.
Il do not want a large standing arm =.
on the one hand. but on the other [
do not want a nation ignorant of the
use Of arms. There was a time not
long ago when every man. woman, and
child in the West could use gun. Now
most OF them don't know shotgun
from revolver. Proper training for
the Young men in the use Of the rife
would so far in the direction Of giving
the country such preparation as IL
needs for any emergency which may
arise.
1t is interesting in this connection that
Lord Kitchener in taking charge OF
the training Of the British forces in
the present war laid emphasis first OF
all not on the niceties OF parade ground
evolution. but on training the recruits
how to shoot