Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-11-30

'bettermcnt II is as follows:
The committee had before it the re.
port of the Executive Committee, the
very able address of the assistant sec
rotary of war and the other matter
and resolutions referred to it. Every
member of the committee was given
an opportunity TO freely express his
opinions and views upon all matters
submitted to it. AS the result Of its
deliberation the committee submits the
following report:
There is necessity for the formula
ton and acceptance of definite mill
tary policy for the United States. Such
military policy must have as its
foundation not only the opinions of the
military experts of the Nation as to
the forces which should be organized
and maintained but should be formu-
lated with due consideration of those
ideals and traditions which have a
place in the minds and hearts of our
people. An essential consideration
iwil be that such forces as may be
planned for, must be taken from the
citizenry of the country and in the
formulation of plans for the develop
ment of any body of citizen soldiery
full consideration should be given to
/ The views and opinions of that body of
men in the Nation who during period
of more than a quarter of a century,
have devoted their time and energy, in
the National Guard. to the develop
ment and maintenance of such a force.
This association pledges its support
to any reasonable increase in the reg
ular army that may be recommended
by the President of the United States
as in his judgment necessary for the
better National defense and pledges
its best efforts to secure the enact
ment of such measures into law.
The committee is afLhe opinion that
the training and development of a
| larger force for National defense is
/ mperatively necessary. For years this
association and the National Guard
have been working for legislation
which will make the organized militia
a Federal force in time Of war. AS
there is some question as to whether
the legislation now on the statute
books and other proposed legislation
accomplishes this result without a con-
stitutional amendment, the commit
tee recommends that Congress propose
such an amendment to the Federal
constitution as will make the organ
lied militia effective for service both
within and without the continental
limits of the United States, upon ex-
actly the same terms and conditions
as the regular army can by law be
used, granting to the Congress the
right to prescribe the discipline, equip
ment and training thereof, reServing to
the several states the control of their
forces in time Of peace the appoint
ment of the officers thereof in ac-
cordance with uniform system to be
prescribed 1.-THE Congress and the
organization, location and arrange
ment of the units of the same.
We recommend that the National
Guard use its best efforts to have such
amendment passed by the Congress
and ratified by the several states at
the earliest possible moment. Pend
ing the ratification of such amend
ment we ask that Congress enact d
Law embodying the principle of Fed
eral compensation to the National
Guard as a return for its assumption
of the contractual, duty of Federal
service and its services in preparing
therefor This step taken, there will
be such an increase in the forces OF
the organized militia that the Nation
will have an immediate dependa BILE
and trained force of not less than
200, 900 men as the nucleus from which
to expand as necessity may arrive. We
believe that the National Guard can
be so developed, that by reason of its
continuous instruction throughout the
Year it will produce greater state of
military preparedness than can be OBJ
tanned by citizens in any other way.
We call attention to the fact that the
National Guard possesses the facili-
! ties and means for carrying on such
training, through its armories and rifle
ranges and the continued regular
ity Of control and instruction, which
should be done in strict accordance
with Federal requirements.
We emphasize the fact that the Ma
| tional Guard of the United States now
organized and equipped is composed
OF officers and men whose frs.
thought of service is for the Nation,
and if not SO available under existing
constitutional requirements it cannot
be too speedily made so. in order that
the National Guard may properly dis
charge the duties for which its mem
bers have enlisted.
We are of the opinion that the de-
velopment of the National Guard along
the lines suggested, would give us at
once a strong first line and the first
proportion of the quota of any organ
lied force that may be required for the
National defense, and that both in its
personnel and as an institution it is
entitled to and should receive such
preference.
We believe that State pride and
State officers make the best possible
argument for recruiting: and that a
force raised by that method would be
in harmony with the traditions Of the
people in the various localitiea be.