Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1915-11-11
sECY. GARRISON
OUTLINES ARMY'S
PART OF PROGRAM
Congress Will Be Asked to In.
crease Regulars to 141,S43 .
and Create Citizen Army
of 100000.

washington, Nov. 5.-An outline OF
the army's part in the national defense
program to be submitted to Congress
IN December by the administration
was made public tonight by Secretary
Garrison disclosing officially for the
nrst time details of the plan to raise
great continental or citizen army to
supplement the regular establi shment.
In brief, 1t is proposed to increase
the regular army from 10S,00s to H.
SAB officers and men Changing the
term of enlistment from four years
with the colors and three years on
furlough to two years with the colors
and four years on furlough); to or
ganize a federal citizen army of 100000
Ito be enlisted $4,000 a year for three
years.; to strengthen the State militia
by increased appropriations and closer
cooperation; and to spend $4,000 900
year for four years on coast defenses
and s26,000,000 a year for four years
in the accumulation of reserve material
for use by a force of 100000 men.
Mr.. Garrison says that the trainers
of the new policy are fully conscious
of the possibility of formulating milf
tary policies much better in theory,
but that after concentrated con-
other conditions they think it
will be found that almost insuper-
able objections and difficulties arise
in carrying into practical operation
suggestions that from the military
standpoint might otherwise be very &C.
ceptable.
The statement reveals that in the
preparation of their plans. war depart
ment officials have called into consulta-
ton specialists in various lines Of pri-
vate industry.
1T has been proposed" it says. ito
make available in time of need the serv-
ices of those in certain kinds Of employ
ment requiring special knowledge and
skill, such as railroad men, bridge build
ers. engineers of all descriptions, etc.,
and leading men in these lines and pro-
fessions have been collaborating with
the war department in an endeavor to
formulate. by legislation or adminstra-
tive action, an acceptable and useful
plan with respect thereto.
I'm this connection. and because Of
the patriotic spirit thus displayed, 1t
seems desirable to say that If those who
are the employers of the young men Of
the country cannot by reason of age or
situation in life. give their person i
service, they can do that which will be
equally useful by encouraging in every
way the participation of those In their
employ in the plan Of national defense.
If they would so arrange their business
that certain proportion of those whom
they engage could undertake this national
service without sacrificing their personal
interests, those who did this thing would
be acting in the most public spirited
and patriotic manner possible
The citizen army would be recruited
throughout the entire country and or
gan1ed in geographical divisions. It's
members though enlisted for six-year
terms, would be required to report for
intensive training only for short periods
each year for three years and during the
remaining three years would be fur
Laughed subject to call to the colors in
time Of war, In addition to officers who
may be developed in the course Of its
operation. Mr.. Garrison proposed to draw
officers for this force from men who nave
served in the national guard or the
regular army or who havo been trained
in private military schoo 3. Individuals
or organizations in the existing national
guard free to do so would be permitted
to come into the citizen army without
change of rank.
For the next fiscal year, when it is pro-
posed to put this new policy into opera
ton. Congress will be asked to APP
propriate sls2,1l7o36 the second year tho
amount will be s2l2, sl5S79: the third $22S,-
3l5,S,9, and annually thereafter II the
policy We're continued without change
The army budget would be slS2. 23+ .t9
The additions to the regular army con.
templated are ten regiments OF infantry,
four regiments of field artillery. 50 regi-
ments OF coast artillery. Is companies
of engineers and four aero scuadrons, to
be brought in half next year and half
the following year.
This plan when completed would place
in the Panama canal zone, Hawaiian is
lands. the Philippines and Alaska, l,4s3
officers and 41.456 enlisted men. In the
continental United States, there would
be in the regular establishment 1856 off.
GERS and 66,96S men. including II 2-3 regi.
ments of cavalry, 26 "a regiments of in.
fantry seven regiments of field artillery
10 companies of coast artillery and about
1900 officers and men in engineer and