New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-05-09


is coming to the fore, in lectures be-
fore the War College at Washington and in
books on military subjects, as one OF the lead
ing military experts of the country.
He abhors publicity and avoids it wherever
he can. In Cambridge he has the reputation
of being one of the two professors who nave
forbidden applause, but the opinion is steadiy
spreading, among military men even more
strongly than in the university where ne
works. that this man is achieving an eminence
in military subjects that can be compared only
with that of the late Admiral Mahan IN naval
matters.
His name in Robert M. Johnston, and he
comes from family which has sacrificed many
of it's members on the battlehelds OF the re-
public. In his latest book, Arms and the
Race" which will be published this month he
states badly the peril to which unpreparedness
has brought us, and gives plan, simple ana
comprehensive, for the reorganization OF our
army.
This plan is moderate, and it provides for
reserves 1t is purely defensive, except as IT
concerns Mexico, and in this case, as John-
ston points out self-defence may ultimately
REQUIRE the occupation OF that country. HIS
plan. finally, is designed not to get US into
war, but to keep US out of it.
BY WAY OF REMOVING A JAPANESE
TEMPTATION.
Dismissing Germany as a possible opponent,
for the time being at least, Johnston declares
that all we need to do is to remove the temp
tation we now offer Japan by being entirely
undefended; and that would be accomplished
if we were able Immediately to concentrate
three army corps, say 10000 men, on the
Pacific Coast That should be, however. mere
" the advance force OF a greater national
army; otherwise, even that number OF troops
might not suffice
He denounces the seizure OF the Philippines
as among the worst military plumbers COM
mitted by any American government.
1t is weak, eccentric military position, funda
mentally indefensble against any strong trans
Pacific power, but inevitably magnet to draw
ships and troops away from our shores.
popular clamor might result at any time in
weak administration sending the battle feet
from the Atlantic TO Manila.
The result would be instantly for to
lose the incalculable influence fleet has
given us these last ten years in all North At
lantic questions; while, at the same time, we
should jeopardize for no adequate purpose the
safety OF that feet at the other end Of the
world by attaching it to base far too weak
to give it the indispensable minimum of
support.
with such view" he continues I'VE
should keep our naval and military forces in
the Islands down to the lowest level COM
patible with day to day requirements. What
ever happens in the future, we should never
so fatal a spot"
The defence OF bases in Honolulu and
Alaska, he declares, could be secured by TO-
600 men, the garrisons Of Panama and the
Philippines. adding $4,000 more; the total, in
GLIDING the three corps for national emergen-
ces. would be l74,4oo; this force, by an ade-
ouate system of reserves to be doubled in
six months.
ain three months from declaration we require
three army corps of volunteers, which should be
in existence as militia during peace time. Mill
tia, 10000.
Peace total, regular and militia, 10000. This
force 10 be doubled in six months Doubling these
forces would make available war total. in six
months, of $4,000.
"Of infantry We require, on a peace footing,
twelve battalions per division that is, for twelve
divisions Ii4 battalions (of 500 men each) in all.