Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1915-06-05


End Inf, ~ G. California;
The Army League of the United
States, an association composed of
many OF the nations leading men, is
putting 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 message
to Congress expressed his sentiments
as being in favor of an adequate regu-
lar army backed up by an efficient
national guard and reserve rather than
large standing army. The efforts
Of the Army League are apparently
along these lines. ~. " H.
The presidents view is a 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 revolu,
tionary period. The most reasonable
and economical way to maintain an
efficient military force for defense
without the establishment of large
standing army, then, is through the
national guard. .*~..- !" sa..
Why do not young men join the
national guard in sufficient numbers
to make it the efficient and powerful
reserve that the nation desires, and
what action is needed to make it APP
peal 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-
partment finds considerable fault be-
cause many organizations of the va
rious states are unable to recruit up
to the minimum number required by
the government
There are many reasons for this
state of affairs. .=s:.s
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
required of it were to turn out in
gaudy uniforms for dress parade or at
social functions. ,s.S
Since the passage of the Dick law
several years ago, the militia has been
armed and equipped in exactly the
same manner as the regular army,
and 1t is now plain business propo,
sition, organized and destined to be
conducted on business basis as a
part Of the nations first line of de-
Tense 30, E%
The same is expected of it as of the
regular army, whose regulations it
must adhere to, only not much of it.
While on duty its members must drill,
work and study the same as the regu-
lars, only not so muca of j.
Therefore, why should not it's men,
befs receive a certain per cent of regu-
lar army pay?
From personal observations, made
during more than ten years service in
the national guard o: three states,
believe that the sooner the pay BILL
which has been pending before Con-
greSs for the paSt.three years or more,
Is passed, the sooner will the nationa!
guard become the powerful and eff.
Gent backbone OF our defense which
the natiCn needs and desires it to be-
It has been said that you cannot
buy patriotism. This is very true, but
how MANY men would join the regular
army If they were not to receive some
compensation for their services?
The one great fault with the nation.
al guard, the seat of all the trouble
and the cause Of the greatest anxiety
to nearly all company officers. is the
lack of suitable recruits with which
to ill up their companies.
Give the average company command.
or IN the national guard enough good
men and provide source of available
recruits tC draw from to fill up vacan.
cies which constantly occur, and
dare say that he will turn out a COM
pany to be proud of and one which
will compare favorabiy with COM
pany Of the regular army.
How many captains of the regular
army would remain in the service if
they were required to go cut and rope
ana hCgte men and pull them into
the service? Yet this is practically
what company officers in the national
guard are required to do to maintain
their commands.
Each year recruits ere becoming