Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-10-10
GARRISON ASKING
FOR LARGER ARMY
Reports Will Urge Many Re-
serves and Bigger Regular
United States Force.
SHORT SERVICE is PLAN
To Be HonorabIy Discharged at End
Of Six Months With Pledge to
Return When Needed.

Washington, d. c., Oct. 10.-As a
result of the lessons taught by the
European war. Secretary of War Gar
rison will recommend radical changes
in the organization of the United
States army.
His principal and most vital recon-
mendation will be a change in the en-
listment system which will permit the
building up of large body of trained
reserve soldiers.
After receiving their training these
reserve soldiers would be free to en-
gage in any occupation. but would be
subject. to call TO the colors in time
Of war or threatened war. At the same
time standing army of 100000 or pos
sibly 100000 men would be maintained
Secretary Garrison also believes the
organized militia should adopt this
system of training reserve soldiers. To
that end the various states will be
asked to adopt the system if congress
acts favorably upon the recommends
ton OF the secretary of war in regard
10 the federal army.
Result of European War.
<AANAAOubl lAAt sCCI III Ills Tt
ports, will avoid reference to the
European conflict, there is reason to
believe that his recommendation is the
direct outcome of American observa-
ton of foreign military methods.
The advantage OF possessing trained
soldiers instead of raw recruits at the
beginning of war has been amply DEM
onstrated by the events in Europe.
More than one American military Off
Ger has observed recently that any ma
ton that can defeat the United States
navy could land an army in this coun-
try before an adequate force of effec-
tive fighters could be raised to oppose
it.
Compared with the other armies of
Europe, the German has the shortest
term of enlistment for privates. Pri- |
vate soldiers in the German army are |
not permitted TO stay in the infantry |
arm over two years. The term of serv- |
ice for field artillery and cavalry is 1
three years.
II a private is promoted to n non !
commissioned rank he is kept in the !
service not TO exceed u years. Only /
commissioned officers are professional 1
soldiers. Enlisted men stay in the (
army only long enough TO learn TO be- /
come efficient, when they return to civil /
life.
Will Urge Short Enlistment.
But Secretary Garrison does not (
think that it takes two years TO make /
a good soldier in the infantry arm. He B
will ask congress to amend the enlist
ment law so as to permit officers to
the honorable discharge of
enlisted men as soon as they become
proficient.
He would have men enlist for three
or four years, under such terms that
they could pass to reserves even as
soon as six months. At the end of six
months or a year he would have them
discharged, with an obliga-
ton TO return to the colors in the event
Of war In effect they would serve
not TO exceed a year in the army. and I,
be furloughed for the balance of their
period OF enlistment
With such a term OF enlistment, the
secretary is of the opinion that a great
many high school and college students
could be induced to enter the army.
The scheme would not only give the
army reserves with which TO bring the
TO a war strength in the
event of hostilities, but would bring in
. high class of enlisted men to the
service At least the secretary thinks
congress should give the scheme a
trial.
Has Support for Recommendations.
The secretary will find some enthus- ,
astic supporters of his program on I
10Th sides of the senate and the house. /
Senator Chamberlain, chairman of the !
enate committee on military affairs, is :
convinced that something should be ,
lone to create reserve for the army I
nd national guard. Similar views are ,
eld by Representative Julius Kahn OF :
california, who, although republican, :
5 anxious to cooperate with the secre-
arv of war in obtaining legislation for
he strengthening OF the army and the ,
reation of a reserve.