New Britain herald., 1915-11-05

ing they need, and we think we can do so without calling them at any time too long away from their civilian pursuits. &
 'It is with this idea, with this con- ception in mind that the plans have been made which it will be my priv ilege to lay before the Congress at it's next session. That plan calls for only such an increase in the regular army of the United States as experi- ence has proved to be required for the performance of the necessary du- ties of the army in the Philippines, in Hawaii, in Porto Rico, upon the bor- ders of the United States, at the coast Notifications and at the military posts of the interior. For the rest it calls for the training within the next three years of a force of 100000 citi- zen soldiers to be raised in annual contingents of 133,O0O who would be asked to enlist for three years with the colors and three years on furlough, but who during their three years of enlistment with the colors would not
 be organized as a standing force but would be expected merely to undergo intensive training for a very brief period of each year. Their training would take place in immediate asso- citation with the organized units of the regular army. It would have no touch of the amateur about it., neither would it exact of the volunteers more than they could give in any one year from their civilian pursuits.
 And none of this would be done in such a way as in the slightest degree to supersede or subordinate our pres-
 ent serviceable and efficient National Guard. On the contrary the Nation al Guard itself would be used as part
 of the instrumentality by which train
 ing would be given the citizens who. enlisted under the new conditions, and I should hope and expect that the leg islation by which all this would be ac- complisned would put the National Guard itself upon better and more permanent. footing than it has ever been before, giving it not only the. recognition which it deserves but more definite support from the na-s tional Government and a more defin-r fte connection with the military or ganization of the nation.
 Every man and boy physically able would willingly want to be part r of the fighting force that should be ready at any time to answer the call of the nation. In fact, they are here now, waiting, ready to go at mo- ment's notice. But, for the greater part, they lack the training, these men and boys. If Congress sees fit to follow the plan laid down by Wood row Wilson the men and boys of the nation will not be long in responding to the call of the colors. With a chance to associate with the regular army of the United States an oppor- tunity to make themselves better men, morally, physically, and mentally the men and boys who can devote few weeks out of the year from their Ci- william pursuits will be eager and anx- ious to enlist three years with the colors, three years under Old Glory. This indeed will be the citizen sol-, diery, a soldiery such as George Wash ington marshalled, enbued with love of country. with devotion to the cause of liberty and freedom, with the spirit of never r-say-die. But the sol diery of 1915 will be a better trained soldiery than that of 1776. Woodrow Wilson has offered a worthy sugges- tion. It is hoped that America, and especially young America. rallies to his call. It is the call of the flag.