The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1915-11-06

(Associated Press)

Washington, Nov. 6.-An outline of
the army's part in the national de-
fense program to be submitted to
Congress in December by the admin
istration was made public last night
by Secretary Garrison disclosing Off
cially for the first time details of the
plan to raise a great continental or
citizen army to supplement the reg
uiar establishment.
In brief, it is proposed to increase
the regular army from 108,008 to 141,-
843 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 federal citizen army of 400,-
900 Ito be enlisted $4,000 year for
three years.; to strengthen the state
militia by increased appropriations
and closer cooperation; and to spend
S20,000,000 a year for four years on
coast defenses and S26,O00,000 a year
for four years in the accumulation of
reserve material for use by force of
100000 men.
Mr.. Garrison says that the trainers
of the new policy are fully conscious
of the possibility of formulating mil
itary policies much better in theory,
but that 'safter concentrated consid-
Grafton of existing legal and other
conditions they think it will be found
that almost insuperable objections
and difficulties arise in carrying into
practical operation suggestions that
from the military standpoint might
otherwise be very acceptable.
The statement reveals that in the
preparation of their plans, war de-
partment officials have called into
consultation specialists in various
lines of private industry,
ct has been proposed" it says, "to
make available in time of need the
services of those in certain kinds OF
employment requiring special knowl-
edge and skill, such as railroad men
bridge builders, engineers of all de-
scriptions, ETC., and leading men in
these lines and professions have been
collaborating with the war depart
ment in an endeavor to formulate, by
legislation or administrative action
an acceptable aud useful plan with
respect thereto.
.Tn this connection, and because o1
the patriotic spirit thus displayed il
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
personal service, they can do that
which will be equally useful by en-.
couraging in every way the participa.
ton of those in their employ in the
plan of national defense. If they
would SO arrange their business thai
1 q NNltGhl 7WLOi1
they engage could undertake this ma.
tional 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 recruit
ed throughout the entire country anc
organized in geographical divisions
] It's members, though enlisted for six
year terms, would be required to re
Il port for intensive training only fol
short periods each year for thret
years and during the remaining thre,
years would be furloughed subject tt
call to the colors in time of war. II
addition to officers who may be de
Iveloped in the course of its operation
Mr.. Garrison proposed to draw off1
lcers for this force from men who hav,
served in the national guard or tn,
regular army or who have been train
ed in private military schools. Indi
viduals or organizations in the exist
ing national guard free to do so woul,