New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-08-21
TO RAISE AN ARMY
A Scheme for Organizing and
Eauipping National Defenders.

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: II seems to be the general opinion
that something ought to be done toward pre-
pairing the United States for defending itself
against invading enemies without doubt
we would be at a great disadvantage II we
were attacked by almost any European
power.
The first requisite OF an army is to be
we'll differed, and to have all modern guns
and appliances. This we are totally lacking
in. Fighting nowadays is scientihc, me-
chanical affair.
The following is my plan Of recognizing
the army Of the United States: | would en-
list 10000 men. They would need some edu-
cation; should be, say, capable of passing
an eighth grade examination. | would take
men from twenty-one to twenty-five years
of age, divide them into four different
camps, one in the East, one in the West, one
in the South and one somewhere near the
centre.
These men should be instructed in army
drill and in the different engines OF destruc-
ton, aeroplanes, motors, and, in TACT every
thing used in modern warfare. They should
be able to make aeropanes and run them,
TO make motors and run them, guns ana
shoot them. They should be paid reason
able salary, and whenever it was discovered
that any one was inattentive in learning the
trades required he should be dropped and
his place filed These men should serve for
five years. 1t might be arranged that 2OOO
should be graduated each year. They should
receive commissions according to their pro-
fciency as based on a competitive examine
ton. Meanwhile there should be a COM
pulsory service of all able-bodied men, as or
dered and controlled by the general govern
ment, for three years, from their twenty
first to their twenty-fourth birthday. These
men should meet perhaps twice year, and
be drilled in army tactics for six weeks at
each meeting. The drill masters should be
from the 10000 graduates. The present war
has proved that fort is not perfect de-
fence; that intrenchments offer almost per-
feet defence In order to make troops pro-
ficient in making intrenchments they should
build them where they think they will prob
ably be needed.
Meanwhile there should be an accumula-
ton of all things that go to make up the
equipment of a modern army-motor trucks,
barbed WIRE guns, powder and clothing.
best mechanics in their line that could be
had Some of the West Point officers might
be allowed to drill them if they didn't drill
them too much. And it would be as well to
teach every soldier of the United States
that this country, where the people rule has
the best system of government in the world;
that the country could not be forced into a
war unless the people thought it was neces-
sary II should also be made compulsory to
teach citizenship, the duties of citizens to
one another and to the state, and it should
be taught that a CRATER an undesirable
citizen and an enemy TO a republican form
of government.
To sum it all up, these 10000 men, when
graduated, would not only understand drill
but would be competent mechanics, capable
of handling and giving instructions to others
in all appliances used in warfare, and while
they were being instructed they would be
turning out everything needed in carrying on
a war. K II. JEFFERSON.
Bingham Lake, Mimi, Aug. 16, 1915.