Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1915-01-07
THE NATIONAL GUARD As A Ma
TIONNU ASSET.

President Wilson in his annual message
stated that we must depend in every
time of national peril upon citiaenry
trained and accustomed to arms, and
that we should encourage such training
ana make it a means of discipline for
our young mon
AT the present time the chief means
of training young men in military af-
fairs is National Guard so-callcd. but
which as matter of fact. remains a
state militia, principally maintained and
supported as such, although the general
government contributes toward such
maintenance.
The people of Vermont will recall
that upon tho outbreak Of the Spanish
American war it was necessary to call
for volunteers, although We were sup
posed to have National Guard and
while W. SIN have such an organization
it IS not ,aaly a national arm Of de-
fence upon which the United states can
directly call in time Of need
Manifostly if President Wilson's idea
is to be carried out. it will be neces-
sary ia materially modify our present
military establishment. and make our
National Guard truly national organi-
.2ation.
capt. /. j. Myyatt Of the United states
army, who has been on duty in Vermont
tor with the Vermont National Guard
calls attention to the fact that a militia
organized with fortv-eigh, different
heads. or one IN each Stnte. all Of equal
Authority and with no real supreme com
mander, must be basicaly unsound. re
garded from tho national point Of view:
and he believes from his observation that
in most States the backbone of the Ma
tcnal Guard would Quit the state service
and enter national force. the moment
an organization on broad Hres was au-
thorized by Congress.
These points, taken in connection with
the experience of Vermont and other
States in 1895 are well worth serious con-
e'doration when we talk about reliance
"n citizen soldiers. and take into account
the steps that would be necessary to
transform the state militia throughout
the countrv into a national arm in case
Of sudden emergency.
Captain Mygatt believes it would count
for military efficiency if the duty Of
quelling riots and SO on were left to a
state constabulary such as is being
urged in different states at this time and
which would cost far less than a militia
and if the federal government were to
maintain the National Guard for pur-
poses Of national defense with the state
providing possibly the armorIes.
We believe Captain Mygatt has done
n public service in calling attention tc
one way in which Congress might take
action for the Improvement of the ma.
tons military service along lines indi.
Gated by President Wilson, and IT Is no,
impossible that these suggestions vii
lead to others.
In the meantime interest in the Ma
tional Guard is being stimulated in va
rous States, as is being demonstrated il
in Vermont. That there is nee-i Of fur
Their cfforts to awaken public nt-res
in the National Guard is evident.
A correspondent of the Army and Navy
Journal says nearly ouc-half of the pre-
scrlhed minimum strength or the Ma
tonal Guard is not maintained In som,
of the States and nearly one-hal
of the total force of the National Guard
5000, did not appear on rifle ranges dur
ing the past year New York is ex
peiicncing a mild sensation over the at
tempted dishandng of one Of its cracl
regiments ON account of interference %
social functions with the service and I
is claimed that in some States the man
ner of clccting officers, false local prid
blow at the root of military efficiency
On the other hand there has been
vast Improvement in the National Guar'
throughout the country
ManifoStlv. If we as a nation are T.
rely on citzenry for defense in nationa
peril We must put our National Guar
on different basis from that existin
at the present time, and make It trul'
national organization instead of
State organization.
The nation can not expect to secur
something for nothing, and by payin
a small yearly amount to members of tn
National Guard In keeping with tn
amount of time expected to be spen
greater interest In the organization
would b. stimulated and the efficienc
Of the whole promoted
IN-SIUnnTS