New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-02-04
BRECKENRIDGE FOR
BIG ARMY RESERVE
Every Nation but u. s., tie
Says. Has Adopted This
system of Defence.

Henry s Breckenridge Assistant sec
retsry Of War, presented arguments tor
a reserve system for the United States
ARMY. for greater public interest IN
military affairs and for more VIDE
,pr,ad system Of military training N
his address on National Defence pc
tore the Civic Forum at Carnegie nan
Idst night.
The Secretary Of War himself was
scheduled TO speak on this subject, nut
was delayed In Washington IN CONFER
cucc with Congressional committee.
So Nh. Breckenridge came TO represent
The speaker scofed at the theory that
Z is the desire Of milIiarists IN the
United States to build up standing
army upon European Ideals Of uh'Ner-
sal military service.
we might AS well propose 10 set up
a monarchy in this country as TO en-
lcayor TO organize great standing
army on the principle Of Conscripuon,'
he said. Wisely or not, II has always
becp against the temper of the Repub-
lie. For veal or woe, the American PEG
Pie depend upon the citizen soldier for
their defence. and we will continue to
DO so until some great national disaster
forces US TO change our opinions.
Urges Short Service.
Mr.. Breckenridge pointed out that II
was economically bad to keep men IN
the army through long periods OF en-
N,tment. and entered a plea for re-
serve system which would permit an
enlisted man TO enter private me- as
soon as he had been thoroughly trained,
IL q, 9 hot H.
his country needed him.
Wise banking laws he asserted:
provide for the keeping IN the till OF
the bank Of as small a portion OF the
working capital as is compatible with
safety. The rest Of the banks funds
are out gathering interest, although
they may be recalled when the time OF
stress arrives. This is as true prln-
cIpie Of the military world as of bank
INK Every nation which pretendS 10
have q standing army has put into Ell
feet the reserve system except tHe
United States"
lie then quoted statistics to show
that the United States could depend or
only 80 900 regulars and perhaps 10000
fairly trained national guards IN the
event of war, and drew attention 10
the fact that it required something
a man into a soldier.
IN times past he remarked, mere
patriotism didn't keep hostile troops
from defeating an army Of Americans
Of twice their number and burning the
Capitol Of the United States. We must
remember that il takes something more
than integrity and nobility Of charac-
ter 10 enable a man 10 hit mark with
a military rifle. The experience Of an
American citizen gives him much
knowledge but il doesn't teach him TO
run a teld radio telegraph station or
FIRE q l6-iuch gun.
Must Learn Soldering Art.
ut is the wish Of the Secretary Of
War that the attention OF the people
be directed TO this problem, and that
after they have reached their own con
illusions upon il they then see that
they are put into effect. Soldering is
an art and a science combined. Pro
hciency in it depends as much upon
experience and training as IN any other
profession
Henry L. St.mson. Secretary Of War
Under President Taft, who introduced
Mr. Breckenridge, placed the re-
sponSibiEty for national defence upon
the shoulders Of the people.
The representatives of the army
and navy" he said, have no voice
on the floor of Congress, while men
seeking 10 waste the appropriations Tor
defence have not only voices, but votes.
As long as that condition exists, the
interests Of national defence will be
-aCrifced to the methods Of the pork
harrel,er. There Is no other mcthCl
20 pursue than % press this matter
upon the people. When they ere
asleep on IL subject, Congress IS also
asleep
John Grier Hibben, president of
Princeton. who also spoke, praised
General Woods plan, which has estab-
lIshcd summer training camps Tor col
lege men. al our colleges through
out the country should send lar
number Of students each year TO those
camps" he said, there would be a
general diffusion Of military knowl-
edge and experience throughout the
nation
Dr. IHbbcn also contradicted the
statement that preparedness for war
was nimical TO the cause OF peace.
We cannot command peace merely by
raising our voices and summoning 1t
to be and prevail" he stated. Peace
comes from one course alone, from
a fundamental conviction in the law OF
Justice and fair dealing.
at has been urged that any effort
at this time to prepare ourselves will
be a manifest disadvantage to our
ration when the day of peace comes
TO Europe. | do not believe this. Our
army could be doubled and quadrupled
and still its numbers be such that if
Ell the standing armies Of Europe re-
duced to a like basis, IT would mean