The Washington times., 1915-11-05

can IN the world Is essentially a mis-
sion OF peace and good will among
men. She has become the home and
asylum OF mon OF all creeds and races.
within her hospitable borders they have
found homes and congenial associa:
cordial weicope. and they have be-
come part of the bone and sinew and
spirit OF America itself. America has
se Sssn worS %rde out the q snd os ,as ns
tions OF the world.
But we feel justified in preparing
ourselves to vindicate our right to In
dependent and unmolested action 6y
for assertion.
And we know that we can do this
In a way that will be itself an illus
tration OF the American spirit. In ac-
With d SS, WSrk for ony ans
army adequate to the constant and
legitimate uses OF times Of international
peace. But we do want to feel that that
there Is great body of citizens VINO
have received at least the most rudi-
mentary and necessary forms OF mill
tary training: that they will be ready to
form themselves into q fighting force at
the call OF the nation: and that the
nation has the munitions and supplies
with which to equip them without delay
should It be necessary to call them INTO
I'VE wish to supply Shem with the
training they need. and we think we
can do SO without calling them at any
time too long away from their civilian
ut is with this idea. with this con-
ception. In mind that the plans have
been made which II will be my privi-
| lsse to. lay before. the congress at It's
such an Increase In the reRul lar army
Of tho United States as experience mas
proved to be required for the perform.
ance Of the necessary duties OF the
army In tho Philippines. In Hawaii. IN
| Porto Rico, upon the borders Of the
United States. at the coast forttfications
and at the military posts OF the IN
terror.
100000 Men Wanted.
For the rest, II calls for the trainina
within tho next three years OF force o,
100, 900 citizen soldiers to be raised tr
nnual contingents OF $4,000. who woulc
be asked to enlist for three years with
the colors and three years on furloush
but who. during their three wears o.
enlistment with the colors. would not b
organized as a standing force. but woulc
be expected merely to UNDERGO intensiV.
training for a very brief period OF eacf
yeaEEi ,,.,r,,. would take place ir
|
lied units OF the regular army.
would have no touch of the amateu,
about II, neither would it exact OF thu
volunteers more than they could give
In any one year from their civilian pur
suits. a..
And none OF this would be done II
| such a way ms In the slightest degree
to supersede or subordinate our pres
ent serviceable and efficient Nationa
Guard. On the contrary. the Natr9na sr1 a
the instrumentality by which traintnl
would be given the citizens VINO en-
listed under the new conditions. Gnd
should hope and expect tfUt the lesis
lation by which ,S al nut ah's the "Sn' %ntiona "a
Guard itself upon a better and NOR
permapent footing that i has eve
been before giving not only tn
recognition which II deserves out
more definite support orr from more ,ns Sefn,t t
connection with the military organiza
what we all wish to accomplish
That the forces Of the nation shoul
indeed be part OF tne ns,,on @ ana ana ~ ~
chief cost OF the system would not
in the enlistment or In the training Q
the men, but In the providing OF ampi
; equipment In case 1t should he nSees
sary to call all forces into the heio.
Navy Is Efficient.
, Moreover. 1t has been American pol
, Icy time out of mind to look to tn
navy as the first and chief line Of de
r tense The navy Of the United state
, ia already very great and efricien
force. Not rapidly. but slowly, wit
| careful attention. our naval force ma
: been developed until the navy or IN
; United states stands recognised as on
OF the most efficient and notable or tn
:. modern time. All that is needed I
1 order 10 bring it to point OF extraoI
: binary force and efficiency as com
nared with the other tavies of tn
r world is that we should hasten ou
: pace in the policy we have long bee
3 pursuing. and that chief of all "
/ should have a definite policy Of d'
y yeiopment, not made from year to yea
: hut looking well into the future nm
o planning for a definite consunmatiol
i.Na can and should profit In q