Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-07-19

Washington, July 1S--Haying no direct
relation to the controversy pending be-
tween the United States and Germany.
but more in the nature OF a precaution-
airy step. the plans of the government for
increasing the national defence are slow
ly taxing shape.
Whne no. complete in any detail. suffi-
Gent progress has been made by Sec o.
War Garrison and military experts OF
his department TO indicate the general
scope Of the plan for the reorganization
of the land troops of the nation. for the
maintenance Of which Congress will be
asked to provide.
The plan con;empla.es q considerable
increase in both the regular army. which
now consists OF &7oG officers and SOS
men, to l4o0 s officers and men, and the
state militia organizations Of &e3 oftlcers
and iis.oS. men TO full complement OF
z7o.Hsn. The details Of the increase are
now being worked out by the War college
and high military officers under the gen.
erAi direction Of Mr.. Garrison.
Regular army officers have pretty
definite idea Of the recommendations
that the secretary OF war will send 20
Congress. Mr.. Garrison has devoted con-
siderable time TO the perfection Of the
scheme he has In prospect and has fire.
ouent.y conferred with the President.
prevail Of the project
Cost About s&c,oco.ooo
il Is expected that Sec. Garrison
will first disclose his perfected plan
to Senator George E Chamberlain.
chairman Of the Senate committee on
military affairs. ard Congressman
James Hay. chairman c: the House
committee on military affairs.
There IS scarc ..y any doubt that he
will have the thorough cooperation 81:
both these officials. Congress. 1t is be-
,ieved. will provide the necessary
money. once TIE deed is shown I. is
roughly estimated tina. about s4ao0n,-
oea additional to thc slol .0le. 1850
noN available for military purposes
VIII be required 70 place the new plan
On working basis. This does not in
clude the cost 10 individual states for
bringing their citizen soldiery up TO
the desired point OF efficiency.
There IS reason 20 believe that the
regular forces will re distributed in
seven divisions OF .he increased army.
each division to have 10000 men. One
Of these divisions will be stationed n
the Hawaiian Islands: one in the
Philippines; one in the Panama canal
zone: four in the United States prop
er- OF these latter there will be New
England. Southern. Eastern and
Western division. The military needs
Of Alaska and Porto Rico viii be pro-
vided for hy divisions nearest their
respective boundaries.
TIE increase in the regular forces
would add abou. 5n,Q0o officers and
men. which. with the state militia
forces would increase this army Of
regulars 70 .i0.015 in time of war.
Hopeful Of Congress
TIE manifest necessity for an i'm
provemen, In the establishment for the
antsonai defense has inspired de-
gree of harmony between the execu-
tive and legislative departments which
has 10, existed since the Spanish
American War. Politics has apparently
been entirely subordicated and there
is very fair prospect that Congress
will consent to the plan of increase
without the criticism ard cheese par
Ing usual in dealing with army bills.
Sec. Garrison is said 10 work on the
theory ;ha, il would be premature TO
attempt TO anticipate now the ultimate
efec; On the United States from the
European war. But he has made it
profit by the lessons Of that conflict
by surprise. as were many European
nations by tire war in Europe.
With the Development of ammunition
plants. both governmental and private.
as a consequence uf the demands Of
European nations, army officers be-
Eeve that. with s14,o1 men available
for contingency. the country would
Be in excellent shape to guard against
attack
Those who are thoughtful ana have
courage face the facts OF life. take les.
sons from experience and strive by wise
conduct 10 attain the desirable things
and by provision and precau,ion TO pro-
tsct ard defend them when obtained. :
said Sec Garrison. 4, may truthfully
be said that eternal vigilance is the
price which must be paid in order 10
obtain the desirable things Of life and
TO defend them"
Desires Only Defensive Army
Sec. Garrison distinguishes between
undesirable militarism and a neces-
sary, proper and adequate preparation
Of military resources. Every nation
must have adequate force to protect
itself from, domestic instructions. TO
enforce laws and To repel invasion. ="
he says, He has told his associates in
the war department that he is not at
tempting TO provide perfect army.
but something that Will improve the
present organization very materially
and supply plan which may be i'm
proved from year to year.
OF the regular army. 700 officers and
1902 men belong to the Coast Artil-
lery and, are, therefore. practically
stationery: zoos officers and 1s.sso
men belong 10 the staff, technical and
non -combatant branches. including re-
cruits and men engaged in recruiting.
This leaves an army which can be
moved from place TO pIace-the mo-
Bile Army-of aesa officers and 5l.45o
man. Practically all the army organ
ixations in the United States are on
what Il known as a peace footing"
which means that en- infantry COM
many vrhtrh ,Yy,cp ca NOV Foartp~ ehc,,,a