Evening journal., 1915-08-21
ARMY OF 100000
IS GARRISON PLEA
Three Classes of Military
Training Are Proposed
by Secretary Of War
TELLS PRESIDENT
OF THE DETAILS

| WASHINGTON, ID. c.. Aug. 21.--An
American army with a minimum war
strength of 100000 men, and an ever
increasing reserve. three classes Of
military training-in the regular
army in the continental army and in
the militia. artillery, aeroplanes and
other war equipment adequate to the
size OF the army; military store
houses In every section Of the coun-
try; cooperation with the public
schools and colleges and universities
In training boys and men for military
service; occasional notifications
These are the outstanding features
Of the proposal Of Mr. Garrison, the
Secretary of War, for the wtal.zation
Of our land defense. the details OF
which became known today
Mr. Garrison has embodied his pro-
posal in a long letter addressed to
President Wilson II II gets his ap-
proval II will be made public by the
White House next week as the ad-
ministration's program for increased
army defenses. If President Wilson
disapproves of any particular the let
ter will be modified by Secretary Gar
rison TO suit the Presidents wishes,
and then made public.
Expect Mr.. Wilson 10 Approve.
Army officials expect the President
TO approve the proposal in its present
form since II represents the expert
thought Of the army heads fitted to the
civilian views OF Mr. Garrison.
The army believes that this scheme
is the last step that can be taken by
the government without actually com
pelling army service. II Mr.. Garri-
sons proposal falls, the experts say,
then the United States will be in for
compulsory military training, or. as
the army calls II, universal" or
equal service.
Mr.. Garrison's proposition contem-
plates the maintenance of an Ameri-
can standing army Of 100000 men.
At present the authorized strength Of
the standing army is less than 100000
The service will be made more attrac-
tive, and there may he some plan of
shorter enlistment and a reserve Gre
ated from the ranks OF this army. The
regulars will be used as at present.
for garrisoning the various army
posts at home and in our foreign pos
sessions and for quick mobilization in
time OF an emergency.
Continental Army Proposed.
The most striking feature of the
proposition contemplates the creation
OF a new service TO be known as the
irregulars. or continental army. This
B will be the great future source of
! American reserves. The soldiers in
this army viii be regularly enlisted
men, ofiicered by the regular army.
But enlistment. while for three years,
contemplates actual service during
only a few months Of each year
: During the time Of service and
training the soldiers Of this army will
receive full army pay. AT the expira-
tion of their enlistments the men go
automatically into the trained re-
serve.
The German system Of equipping
reserves, with full battle and camp
! paraphernalia. will be followed in the
! creation Of this army. Every soldier
will have his own gun and equipment
J and when he passes into the reserve
, his personally marked equipment will
be stored in the reserve headquarters
nearest his residence These head
quarters will be at convenient points
II all sections OF tho nation and to
them the reserves will hasten when-
ever called TO the colors.
win Aid State Militia.
In the third place. the proposal of
> Secretary Garrison contomplates the
strengthening of the state militia. The
administration will get behind the
, militia pay bill. and will atempt TO
! secure legislation putting the milf
, tia more completely under the con-
troll Of the federal government.
When II comes time for recommen-
dations for appointments. SecretarS
Garrison will advise definite future
program for building up the artillery
: now the weakest branch of the Amer
ican army This program, IL Is pre-
S dicted. will authorize the casting of a
4 large number of field guns each year
+ and the purchase of great stores OF
q artillery ammunition. to he kept in
e widely scattered storehouses.
Mobilization of the reserves with tn
Q regular army al intervals is contem
4 plated by the new army plan. The mo
e, hilzation viii not only familiarize tn
., reserve soldiers with the war organiza
tion of the army and renew their disci
pline, but IL will enable American arm
officers for the first time to get in ac
H. tual experience IN maneuyering larg
i bodies OF troops.
= The army problems are plain, an
War Department experts believe IN
- proposition of Mr.. Garrison win solv
y the question of adequate field strength
\ If that question can be solved az all wit
= any plan of volunteer enlistment. If
y fails. and If the United States is sti
convinced of the necessity of a stron
army, then compulsory service will h