The Washington herald., 1915-04-01
army QUESTIONS
TO Be STUDIED
Garrison Says Situation Is Re-
oeiving Careful Attention
of Officials.
HAS NOT DISAGREED
He and Chairman Chamberlain Have
Had No Disagreements. He States.
Studies Several Matters.

Further details concerning the plans
Of Secretary of War Garrison 10 enlarge
the army of the Un.ted States along
modern lines were made ,NIblic yesterday
at the War Department. A comprehen-
sive study of the military organizat ion
in all its ramifica tons is now in progress
under the direction of Secretary Garri-
son. and the results will be placed before
Congress in due season. with recon-
mendations for appropriate legislation.
1t is thought highly desirable that the
mobile army shall be enlarged and its
efficiency increased in accordance with
modern standards. and that the same
rule shall apply to the artillery sta
toned on the country's coast Gefenses.
Garrison Understa nGs Situation.
statement made public by Secretary
Garrison yesterday indicates that more
complete understanding relative to the
needs of the service have been reached
by him with Senator Chamberlain, OF
Oregon. chairman Of the Sen;te Commit
tee on Military Affairs. In some quar-
tcrs. IT. Chamberlain was held in part
responsible for the defeat of legislation
at the last session OF Congress. pro-
posed with the approval of Secretary
Garrison. designed to increase the er-
fciency of the service.
In his statement, Secretary Garrison
emphasized his belief that at present
there is no settled military policy, and
he announced a purpose to begin a study
with view to unffying all future effort.
the aim OF which Is the military pre-
paredness Of the nation" Secretary Gar
rison announced further that the study
or "restudy." as he terms it, was about
60 begin.
VIII Study Entire Question.
In ~ in,
terest displayed in this matter" said Mr.
Garrison. "I have thought 1t best TO
have the whole matter restudied. Both
with respect to the coast defense and
the mobile army ] am having the General
Staff with the assistance of the general
officers Of the army prepare for presen-
tation to me a statement of what it is
hoped may be accepted as wise mill
tary policy.
Il shall assure myself by every means
IN my power that this statement of policy
shall represent the collective intelligence
Of all the men who have carefully studied
the subject in so far there is COM
mon agreement: that the statement OF
conditions and remedies shall be reason
able. and that its tabulatcd conclusions
shall rightly and clearly express the re-
sulting status should the policy be given
fun effect by legislation.
My hope and aim is that the result Of
such study. uncompncated by minor
details. may have a practical result in
eventually SO commendinG itself TO Con-
Eress and the general public that it viii!
come to be accepted as a wise policy TO
I've constantly pursued with respect to
the strength and organization OF our
armed land forces i'm peace with a view
to the most rapid and efficient develop
ment o. them to the extent that may be |
necessary in time of war
Depends Upon Many Things.
The Secretary announced that in his |
opinion. the substance of such a policy |
would hinge upon a number of things 1
which he outlined in this way:
First, the reasonable strength and
organization of the regular army and
the organized militia: second careful
study Of the question OF a reserve for
both the regular army and the organized
militia; third, the volunteers: their or
sanization and relation to the regular
rr1ny and the organized militia: fourth
the amount and character Of reserve ma
Terrell and supplies which should be avail
able and which cannot be promptly OBJ
tanned II delayed until the outbreak of
war; fifth. q careful study of all the
accessories required by a military force
properly equipped for field service in
respect to such matters as aviation. mo-
tor transportation to replace horse-drawn
behicles, etc.
Continuing. Secretary Garrison said:
The policy In respect to our seacoast
defenses may be regarded as already and
for q long time past established and ac-
cepted and requires study mainly for the
purpose OF seeing thatit Is kept abreast
of improvements In the construction Of
heavy ordnance. In my opinion such a
statement resulting from such a study
and which contains everything that is
pertinent to the foregoing subjects will
inform Congress and the public of all the
essential things that the best Judgment
thinks II II justified in asking Congress
to provide IN peace and to be prepared
10 provide In war. A statement Of these
things would Indicate the general line Of
development to be pursued and would
therefore constitute comprehensive ,
military policy: As such. 1t would be-
come Guide for the War Department.
u asking lcs1slstion renting to this gem