New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-12-29
u. 5. ARMY PLAN
LOOKS TO DRAFT
Military Authorities Think
Universal Service Com
ing Necessity.
CLOSELY WATCHING
BRITISH SITUATION
England'S Solution of COnscrip
ton Problem Expected to
Aid Decision Here.

Washington, Dec 28.-Grest Britain's
effort to carry on the war without re-
sort TO CONSUMPTION is being anxiously
watched by the American War Depart
ment because, army officers say, the
British situation touches at the root Of
conditions the United States faces in
carrying out the administration army
increase programme.
If Great Britain decides for conscrip-
ton, high officials say, long step will
have been taken toward the time when
universal service will be generally ac-
cepted in the United States as a ma
tional necessity. If Great Britain goes
on with volunteers American officials
feel that nothing short of great mill
tary defeat would bring the United
States 70 universal service.
Entirely aside from its part in The
European war, officials believe, the
question whether service with the
colors in time Of need shall be a legally
recognized duty of citizenship Is OF
vital importance on this side Of the At
ion of the commissioned personnel Of
the army and civil officials of the War
Department is said 20 be that adequate
preparedness only can be secured on
the basis Of universal military service.
Believe in Universal Service.
While Secretary Garrison has made
no public declaration of his own opin-
ion, Assistant Secretary Breckenridge
has clearly indicated in public utter
ances his adherence TO the belief that
universal service is the only fair and
democratic solution of the military
problem of the nation. Signs are not
lacking that the military committees OF
Congress will be formally acquainted
with this view at the coming hearings.
II is understood, however. that the de-
partment will urge that the vital thing
is TO put through at the present session
a definite statement OF military policy
and create machinery for organization
Of a citizen army volunteers 70 begin
with. but based ultimately on universal
service.
The administrations continental army
plan is designed to operate with either
the volunteer or the universal service
system. II was framed with the SWISS
system as UoOcl, ana ldCho OHA! VHO
feature that of compulsory servlce-to
adapt that system to what army officers
regard as American needs and condi-
tions. Should events prove that suf-
fcicnt number of volunteers Will not
come forward, or should public senti-
mcnt undergo change in favor Of
universal military service, short
of the law would set the
continental army machinery in motion
with little delay to establish the citizen
army on that basis.
Present Plan Preparatory.
1t is an open secret that the con
tinental army plan is regarded by its
trainers in its present form as more
of a preparatory measure than any
thing else, paving the way 10 decision
by the people at large for universal
service, and establishing Immediately
the correct fundamental principles that
must underl:e any proper military sys-
tenn.
Efforts Of the department officials
will be directed first toward convincing
Congress that the urgent thing is to get
the machinery for a citizen army ere
ated. the arms, ammunition and sup
plies necessary piled up, mobilization
points selected and equipped, coast de-
fences extended and improved in a
word. the foundations laid on which