Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1915-10-29

ldreadnoughts of the modern type and
122 battleships of the second and third
| line.
This nation has no battle cruisers.
while Great Britain and Germany had,
respectively 10 and eight at the out
break of the war. The United States
has built. building. and authorized. 81
submarines as compared with a Brit
ish fiotilla of SO and German flotilla
OF Is at the outbreak of the war.
Ii is estimated that 100000, 900
must be spent on the United States
navy within the next six years to
bring that branch of the national de
Tense up to a safety footing. This
amount is exclusive of the appropria-
tons for the upkeep of the navy, and
will be expended on the building pro-
gram alone.
10000 Men Top Army Figure.
For the present 1t is improbable
that an attempt will be made to in
crease the regular army to more than
100000 men. Eventually an army OF
! 100000 men may be obtained. but this
is regarded as top figure. Recruiting
officers of the army are understood to
believe that it will be practically inn
possible to obtain more than 10000
men in this country who are willing
TO enter the army as a calling.
In connection with the administra-
tons plan for building up econtin-
entail army" of trained citizens, much
is to depend upon the patriotism of
the American people-an particularly
the American employer. As explained
below, volunteer citizens must forsake
their regular occupations for two
months in each year, for three years,
to train for warfare.
An appeal is to be made to employ
ers- corporations and business men
of all classes--to furlough their EN-
ployes who want to undergo this two
months training each year. The re.
Spouse to such an appeal is problem
atical.
Citizen Reserve" 10 Basis.
In connection with the partially dis
closed plans of the administration for
national defense, it is apparent today
that citizen reserve" Is the basis
Of the program for the army-the
present expectation of the administra-
ton being to recruit these citizen
soldiers at the rate of $4,000 per
year.
Each citizen reseryist is to be given
two months training during each
year, or six months within three
years. After the expiration of the
three-year period, the citizen will be
mustered out, but will be subject to
call to the colors for an additional
three years.
| Meanwhile, as each quota of 49,, 900
men finishes out its training, an addi-
tional quota of $4,000 will be enlisted
to replace the former.
That there will be no large standing
army is shown by the fact that Chair.
man Hays of the House Military AT.
fairs Committee, has tentatively
agreed to the administration pro.
gram. Mr.. Hays position for years
has been that with an adequate navy
and an isolated position this country
does not need large and expensive
standing army.
Army increase Of $4,000.
The best figures obtainable indicate
that the strength of the army, now
about $4,000 men, will not be in
creased to more than 100000.
Much of the increase to be carried
in the next army appropriation bill
will be for the pay of the men added
to the army and the citizen reserve. /"
1t is said authoritatively that al.
though Chairman Hay is willing to
support the administration reserve
idea" he has frankly said that he
fears the enlistments will not be as
gratifying as expected by the secre-
tary of war.
Secretary Garrison, it is learned, es.
timated the annual cost OF, the new
reserve at $15;000,00O. Mr.. Hay be-
lieyes 1t will approximate twice that
amount, and will grow more .expen.
siye from year to year, as thousands
OF extra officers must be used to train
the 'citizen-soldiers."
So far as it has been worked out,
the high spots of the administration
national defense program for the
army-which is to have an appropria.
ton next year of around $3.50, 00O, 900
-is as follows:
Start Many Training Camps.
The establishment of training
camps to teach the rudiments of war.
fare to the $4,000 men expected an.
nually to enlist with the reserve.
Each citizen-soldier will receive six
months actual training during three
years.
The addition to the aerial equip.
ment of the army of at least 90 aero.
planes of the most modern type and
the discarding of old machines as
soon as they cease to be up to date.
The purchase of armored motor We.
hicles, such as are now being used
successfully in the European war
Large increases in the artillery
branch of the service. now lamentably.
weak. This part of the appropriation
will be unstinted. the exact amount
allowed to depend largely upon the
advice of experts now engaged in de.
termining what is needed.
The laying in of vast supplies Of
reserve ammunition.
A standing army whose strength
will be compromise between the fig.
ures of the small army advocates,
who are opposed to any increase, and