The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1915-12-07

dependence secure-and not their
own independence merely but the
rights also OF those with whom they
have made common cause, sh -
must be fitted TO play the greal role
in. the world. and particularly in this
hemisphere. for which they are quali-
ned by principle and chastened am
bition to play.
The Program Defined.
Il is with these ideals In mind that
the plans OF the Department Of War
for more adequate national defense
were conceived which viii be laid
before you, and which J urge you 10
sanetioA and put into effect as soon
az they can be properly s-LstlulLcd
and discussed. They seem 90 me the
essential FIRST steps, and they seem
TO me for the present sufficient.
They contemplate an increase Of
the standing force Of the regular
army from its present strength Of
5,O23 officers and log 9s5 enlisted men
Of all services to strength OF 7.136
officers and 1884, 701 enlisted men. or
1853. ALI told. an services. rank
and file. by the addition % % COM
panies OF coast artillery. - cOmpau-
les OF engineers, 10 regiments Of in
fantry. four regiments 81 Held artil-
lery. and four aero squadrons. be-
sides $50 officers required for great
variety OF extra service, especially
the all important duty Of training
tho citizen force ~ which ! shall
presently speak, 792 communications
ed officers for service in drill. re-
cruiting and the like. and the ncces-
sary quota of enlisted men for tho
quarteTmastcr corps, the hospital
corps. the ordnance department. and
other similar auxiliary yerviCes.
render the army adequate for its
present duties. duties which 70 has
to perform not only upon our own
continental coasts and borders. and
at our interior army posts, hut also
IN the Philippines. In the Hawaiian
islands. at the isthmus, and ia Porto
Rico
BY way OF making tho country
ready TO assert some part % its real
power promptly and upon larger
scale. should occasion oris 80. Tho plan
army by force Of 400 600 DISCIPLINED
citizens. raised in inCrements NJ
1873. 600 year throughout period
81 three years. This % is proposed
der which the serviceahlc men Of The
country would be asked TO bind
Themselves To serve with the color
for purposes Of training for short
periods Throughout three years. and
10 come % the color. ~ call ar 8UE
time throughout an rt$fiouai FUR
Tough" period Of three years Thu
force OF 400 000 men would be pro-
vided with personal arrputremeuts as
fast az enlisted and their equipment
for the field made ready u no sup
assembled for training ~ stated iu.
tervals az convenient places in se.
ISOLATION with suitable units ~ the
regular army. Their period 90 Ht-
nual training would not necessarily
exceed two months IN the wear
II would depend upon the patriotic
feeling OF the younger men % tho
country whether they responded 90
such a call 10 service or not u
would depend upon the patriotic
{ spirit OF tho employer % The cDuu-
try whether they made u possible
for tho Younger men tn thar eu-
, plov 90 respond under favorable con.
ditions or not. ]. for ono. do NOT
doubt the patriotic devotion either -
our young men or % thnsr who civ.
them cmpjnt ment.-thorp for WHOSE
benefit and projection they would in
fact enlist would look forwari
TO the success Of uuHh an export
ment with entire confidence.
~ least much nv way ~ prep-
sratfon for defense seems Go me Co be
absolutely imperative now. We can
not do less.
The Navy Plans.
The program which VIII be laid be-
fore you by the Secretary OF the
Navy IN similarly conceived. 10 In
wolves only shortening Of the time
within which plans long matured
shall be carried out: but "a docs make
definite and explicit n pro gram which
has heretofore been on.y implicit,