The farmer and mechanic., 1915-05-25
WHAT THE NATIONAL,
GUARD REALLY NEEDS


states. an association composed OF
many Of the nations leading men, is |
ruttinc forth an earnest effort for an |
adequate and efficient military force. |
The Army League favOrs an ade-
quate regular army, organized militia
and reserves as the best guarantee Of
peace.
President Wilson in his last mes
sage to Congress expressed his senti-
mcnts as being in favor of an ade-
Guate regular army backed up by an
efficient National Guard and Reserve,
rather than q large standing army.
The efforts Of the Army League are
apparently along theseE lines.
The Presidents view is logical
one He believes that the backbone
Of the nations military forces should
be composed of militiamen, trained
men in everyday walks of life, who
might be called on in case. OF need,
as were the Minute Men" of the
Revolutionary period. The most
reasonable and economic way to
maintain an efficient military force
foi defense without the establishment
OF n large standing army, then, is
through the National Guard.
National Guard in sufficient numbers
to make il the efficient and powerful
reserve that the nation desires, and
what action is needed to make it
appeal to the patriotism Of our young
men and induce them to enlist?
1t cannot be denied that there is a
shortage Of suitable recruits for the
National Guard and that the War De-
rartment finds considerable fault be-
-, Of In
various states are unable to recruit
up to the minimum number required
by the government.
There are many reasons for this
state of affairs.
No Longer Social Organization.
In the first place, the National
Guard is no longer to be looked upon
as a social organization, as it was in
years past, when the chief duties re-
Quired of it were to turn out in gaudy
uniforms for dress parade or at social
functions.
Since the passage of the Dick law
several years ago. the militia has beer
armed and equipped in exactly the
same manner as the regular army
and 1t is now a plain business pro
position, organized and destined t.
be conducted on a business basis a.
part of the nations first line O
defense.
The same is expected of it as of tn
regular army whose regulations
must adhere to, only not so much o
It While on duty it's members mus
drill, work, and study the same a
the regulars. only not so much Of II
Therefore, why should not it's mem
bcrs receive n certain per cent of re
gular army pay?
From personal observations, mad
-
in the National Guard of three state:
l believe that the sooner the "pa
bill" which has been pending befor
Congress for the past three years Q
more, is passed the sooner will tn
National Guard become the powerfl
and efficient backbone Of our defens
which the nation needs and desires
to be.
Compensation Necessary.
1t has been said that you came
buy patriotism This is very true, b.
how many men would join the reguls
army if they were not to receive SON
compensation for their services?
The one great fault with the M
tonal Guard, the seat of all tt
anxiety to nearly all company officer
is the lack of suitable recruits wit
which to fill up their companies.
Give the average company con
mander in the National Guard enoue
good men and provide a source
available recruits to draw from to
up vacancies which constantly occu
and / dare say that he will turn o.
a company to be proud Of and OF
which will compare favors.bly with
company OF the regular army.
How many captains of the regul
army remain in the service if tn
were required to go out and rope al
hog-tie men and pull them into Il
service? Yet this is practically VIII
company officers in the Nation
Guard are required to do to mainta
their commands.
Each year recruits are becomi
scarcer and scarcer. and the work d
manded of both officers and men +
comes more exacting. Each year t
government supplies us with me
modern equipment, but what can
do with new guns and modern equi
ment if we have not the men to I
them? We are now furnished w
nra evorvfhiDO ropl1iro1