The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1915-10-20
PLANS LARGE INtREASES
IN ARMY AND NAVY

| Administration Scheme for Defense,
Virtually Completed, COntemIIates
Available Militia Force OF GS5 1000
Men and Addition Of Sixteen Capital
Ships.
Washington, Oct. 15.-The admins
tratlon programme for national de-
tense to be recommended to the forth
coming session of congress proposing
total expenditure Oh the army and
navy next year of about 100000, 900
virtually was completed tonight
Secretary Garrison's plan, approved
by the president, calls for an increase
OF $i3,00O,OO0 in the war departments
annual appropriation to be used Cor
auSmcnfing the regular army to no.
ooo men and the creation Of new
continental army Of 100000 men.
which, together with the militia Of
lZo,ooo, would give the United States
a military force in time Of need of
GG5, 900.
Approval was also given today to
49, ~ oto''tei vi oCClcldIy DunlelS ana
the general board of the navy for a
flve-year naval construction pro-
gramme to cost $500, 100000, giving
the navy ten new dreadnaughts and
six battle cruisers as well as more
than ~ submarines, SO destroyers, ten
scout cruisers and host of auxiliary
ships.
Secretary Daniels and members Of
the general board were in conference
until late tonight discussing the exact
number of ships to be recommended
Tor the first year and plan for equal
izing the expenditures over the five
year period
After the conference of Secretary
Daniels, Assistant Secretary Roosevelt
and the general board adjourned al
midnight, it became known that the
following naval construction pro-
grammc for the first Of five years had
been decided cpon:
Two drcadnonghts, two battle cruis-
crS, 20 coast submarines, five sea
going submarines, ~ dcstroycrs. an in
crease of 5000 in personnel and the
augmentation by 25o OF the naval
academy student body.
Secretary Garrison has guarded
carefully his plan for strengthening
the military establishment and organ
iAlhg great continental army for de-
tense, and virtually nothing was
known Of it until tonight.
The programme proposes:
First: Regular army, 10000 men,
an increase OF more than 10000 men
III the present establishments
Second: A continental army, 400
900 strong, enlisted for six years for
service within the continental United
States. These men would serve two
months year for the first three years
with the coors, undergoing a period
OF intensive training. The remaining
three years they would be on furlough
subject TO call in time OF need.
1t is estimated that 10000 of the
10000 men thus provided for would
be -combatants Of the medical
corps, or other auxiliary forces not in
cludcd in the fighting line.
Besides this army would be the
National Guard, now some l25.OOO
strong, whose number might be sub
stantially augmented by the organiZa-
ton of the continental army. The
plans contemplate the transfer of such
National Guard officers and men as
desire it into the continental army,
and more liberal treatment Of the
guardsmcn will be urged and the
increase Of these State forces en-
couraged in every possible way.
More Regulars Also.
Increases in the regular establish
ment contemplated are:
Infantry, ten regiments; field artil-
lery, four regiments; coast artillery,
% companies; engineer corps, ) com
panies; aviation corps, two detach-
mcnts.
All the new commands would be
organized at peace strength. Adc-
quate scppics of small arms and
field guns and howitZcrs and OF re-
serve ammunition for the enlarged
establishment would be sought.
The plan is erected on the theory
that the nation must depend on a
citizen army, largely Of volunteer
character. in time OF war.
ct,