The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1915-10-31
By Z. ID. JOHNS.

Assistant SECRETARY OF War Henry s.
Breckinridge and Brig. Gen. Albert L.
Mills. L. 5. N. chief of the division OF
Militia Affairs. as representatives Of the
War Department. will attend the annual
meeting of the National Guard Associa-
ton. which is to be held at San Fran
cisco next month. This will probably be
the most important meeting in the his
tory of the association and is apt to
have a very important influence on the
legislation to be enacted at the next ses-
sion of Congress. The Assistant Secre-
tary OF War will probably urge the as
ISOLATION to endorse the plan OF the Sec
rotary of War for the organization OF a
Continental Army. This will be coupled
with an endorsement of the Militia Pay
bill and an effort will be made to line
up the National Guard behind the entire
program of the War Department.
The session is apt to be a stormy one
as the National Guard officers are by no
means of one opinion as to what legisla-
ton should be enacted at the next ses-
sion of Congress. Recently there has been
a growing sentiment in favor OF COM
pulsory military training among National
Guardsmen. A resolution OF this char
aCter will probably be introduced and will
have some strong supporters. In some
quarters II is believed that IL will be
passed. The general staff OF the army
and as far as that is concerned practical
ly every officer in the army. favors uni
versal military training. II Congress
should ask the general STATS opinion
upon this subject IL would receive a
strong report In favor of compulsory
military training: National Guardsmen.
who have been considering the Militia
from broad national defense standpoint,
are OF the same opinion.
The recreation of the grade OF COM
modore in the navy has been suggested
in the consideration OF personnel legisla-
ton at the Navy Department. This rank
was abolished at the close of the Spanish
American war. II Is insisted. without the
approval OF the service, and IL is now
being argued that II has a place in the
American navy that cannot be filled
either with the grades OF rear admiral or
captain.
There is at present a shortage in flag
officers for the navy, and instead Of
creating more rear admirals 1t is in
sisted that the rank OF commodore
should be re-established. Commodore
corresponds to the grade OF brigadier
general in the army. and is a suitable
rank for the commander OF a division.
There Is no need for four flag officers to
command TOUR DIVISIONS OF tne atlantiC
Fleet and one for the commander-in-
chief. There should be a flag officer for
the cruiser squadron and one for the tor
pedo and submarine notilla on the At
lantic. With the increase in the number
of destroyers and submarines this fio-
tilla must be divided, which will make
command for another Nag officer. On
shore there should be flag officers at
the Norfolk. New York, Boston and Phil
adelphia navy yards, making a total of
twelve flag officers for the Atlantic coast
and feet. This leaves only six rear adj
miraIs for duty at the War Department.
Navy War College. the Pacific feet and
navy yard. the Asiatic feet and the
Philippines. There is need for flag off,
Ger with the Pacific feet. and at the
navy yard in Mare Island and Bremen
ton. Then there should be flag officers
with the Asisic feet and the Pearl Har-
Dor yards and docks.
To supply all Of these commands and