Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1915-09-24
TO TRAIN OFFICERS
FOR. ARMY AND NAVY
Senator Stone Would Have
Instruction Given Young
Men in Civil Life.
TO QUALIFY FOR SERVICE
WHEN THE COUNTRY CALLS
Missourian Also Discusses National
Defenses-Not a Partisan
Question, He Says.


Legislation providing for very
greatly enlarged number OF men trained
as officers of the army and navy will
be enacted by Congress at the coming
session, if the wishes OF many promi-
nent men in the Senate and House are
carried out.
"One thing that the war in Europe
has shown conclusively Is that the
number of officers killed. wounded and
lost Is very high. in comparison with
the number of enlisted men," said Sena-
tor Stone of Missouri today, discussing
the question OF better preparedness for
the nation in case of war.
ut is essential, in my opinion. that a
large number of young men should be
trained in military science and in the
handling Of men and warShips. These
men should be trained by the govern
ment and at the government expense.
Either the numbers of cadets at West
ncreased-perhaps doubled-or provi-
sion should be made for the military
training Of young men at reputable in
stttuttons of learning in the various
states. II the latter plan is adopted.
the course. Of military instruction
should be the same as at the Military
and Naval academies.
Qualified for Business Life.
Il do not mean that all these young
men should go from such colleges into
the army and navy. They should not.
But there is no more reason why they
should not go into the professions, into
business or manufacturing, and make
successes than if they had had the
regular courses of instruction at Har-
ward. Yale or any of the other institu-
tons of learning which now send
thousands of young men out to make
their fortunes each year.
But there should be definite UNDER
standing that at any time the country
needs these trained men they will be
available. The obligation should be
plain. They will have had their edu-
cation at attn the , expense Sc OF the govern 81,
Struction in some such manner as are
the cadets for the military and naval
academies, though some other plan
might be adopted for their appoint
ment'
Favors Increased Defenses.
Senator Stone, who is chairman Of the
foreign relations committee of the SEN
ate and one Of the leaders Of the demo-
cratic side. made it clear that he
thought Congress should materially in
crease the national defenses. He said
that he believed the country expected it.
Il am not an expert on military mat
tiers or naval affairs" said Senator
Stone. land must rely upon the advice
Of experts in these matters. Therefore,
I cannot say whether we should build
many submarines, or battleships. or
70 ~, Dat =.
always stood for increases of the navy,
and I believe that more should be made
now.
More attention should be given to
the National Guard, both by the federal
government and by the states. A large
body of trained citizen soldiers could
be built up in that way. 1 believe that
regular army, but 1 would oppose any
plan for a large standing army.
zone Of the most important matters.
however. in preparing for defense, Is
lions Of war. We should have guns to
put into the hands of the men il war
should arise with another country: we
should have ammunition to supply those
guns. believe that we should have in
our arsenals large store of artillery
of the most approved type. for artillery
today plays. perhaps, the most impor-
tant part in war.
Senator Stone said that he believed
the question Of Strengthening the ma
tional defenses should not be consid-
cred as a partisan question.
yet I see that Senator Lodge of
in a recent speech de-
clared that national defense was one of
the issues upon which the republican
party would win the elections next
year." said Senator Stone. He added
that he was in favor of acting upon
proposed legislation for increased de-
lenses at the coming session of Con-
greSS.
Would Eliminate the Issue.
Then the question will not be an is
sue" he said. sit will be law of the land.
In the same way, we should act upon the
matter of developing the shipping of the
United States, which is one of the great
needs of the day.
Senator Stone said that because he
favored action. he believed the Senate
rules should be modified so as to per-
init a majority of the Senate to do
business.
II am not in favor of shutting off
legitimate debate" he said. but the
rules should be amended so as not to
permit a filibuster by minority which
will prevent all action.
II know that some of the southern
have opposed change IN
got back into power an
other force bill or some other measure
the representation of the south
in Congress might be damned through.
But 1 believe such a fear is unwar-
ranted 1t is mysterious-in the dark.
Besides. I do not believe that such a
law would be held constitutional"