West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1915-10-21
NATIONAL Defense PLANS ARE
ALL PRACTICALLY COMPLETED
Proposed Program Calls for Great
ly Increased Army and the Navy
Will be Nearly Doublcd-Pro-
posed to Raise Continental Army
for Six Years Enlistment

totdl expenditure on the army and
navy next year OF about $400 .OOO, ,OOC
was practically completed tonight.
Secretary Garrisons plan, approved
by the president. calls for an increase
OF $75.OOO,000 in the war department.
annual appropriation to be used for
augmenting the regular army TO 14O.-
600 men and the creation of a new
continental army of 100000 men,
which together with the militia OF 1885,
900 would give the United States a
military force in time OF need of
6S5.OOO.
Approval also was given today to
the proposal of Secretary Daniels and
the General Board OF the Navy for a
five-year naval construction program
to cost $500.000,000. giving the navy
ten new dreadnaughts and six battle
cruisers as well as more than 20 sub
marines. fifty destroyers. ten scout
cruisers and a 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
for the first year and a scheme for
equalizing the expenditures over the
five-year period. The program for the
first year. which seemed likely of
adoption, called for 2 battle cruisers.
two dreadnaughts, 25 submarines, -
destroyers and three scout ships.
Secretary Garrison has carefully
guarded his plan for strengthening the
military establishment and organizing
great continental army for defense
and practically nothing was known of
1t until tonight. The program pro-
poses:
First: Regular army, 100000 men,
an increase of more than $4,000 men
in the present establishment.
Second: A continental army, 4OO,-
600 strong, enlisted for six years for
service in the continental United
States. These men would serve two
months year for the first three years
with the colors. undergoing a period of
intensive training. The remaining
three years they would be on furlough,
subject to call in time of need
II in estimated that 100000 OF the
10000 men thus provided for, would
bo non-combatants of the medical
corps. or other auxiliary forces not in
ciuded in the fighting line.
Behind this army would be the
national guard, now some 125.00O
strong, but whose numbers might be
substantially augmented by the organ
i2ation of the continental army. The
plan contemplates the transfer OF
such national guard officers and men
as desire II into the continental army
and more liberal treatment of the
guardsmen will be urged and the in
creases encouraged In every possible
way.
All new commands would be organ
lied at peace strength. Adequate sup
plies OF small arms, howitzers and
field guns and ammunition for the en-
larged establishment would be sought.
The plan is erected on the theory
that the nation must depend upon a
eitizenry, largely of a volunteer char
Roter In time of war. There are many
hundreds OF thousands OF young men
IL is said, who have the time and in
clination to devote at least two
months year to rigid and intensive
military training and the continental
army would be composed of these.
leaving to the national guard those
citizens whose responsibilities prevent
their devoting more than one night
week or 80 to military service. with
six months actual field training, army
officers are confident that the conti-
mental army would be as thoroughly
organized as it is possible with any
system short OF compulsory service
and a regular establishment OF half
million men. Omcers for the new
army would be obtained from civil
life almost entirely as the West Point
military academy would be overtaxed
even to supply officers for the increas-
ed regular army. Even at present not
more than half of the officers OF the
army are West Point graduates and
an extension Of the work at West
Point would he required to care for
the new regiments to be created.
For the continental army, the plan
contemplates drawing from the ma
tional guard and from educational in
stitutions where military training is
compulsory at least 900 officers a
year for each Of the first two years.
Eventually, It Is hoped that all mill
tary schools in the country can be
standardized as TO their courses
In engineering and other military
aciences These courses would be
f9me q speciality, It is believed, n a
given number of ranking graduates
each year we're assured OF commits
sions I'm the continental army.
The new army would be organized
IN esnFenlent geographical divisions
and on the theory that its members
could be citizens OF the districts I'm
which their organizations we're Iocat-
ed. Regular places Of mobilization
and lockers for equipment for each
company would be provided and every
man OF the force would know where