The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-12-10

~ ~ Vu1uB WOulu DC 3CcOUpiIpu0u ma
that only after the passage Of . great
length Of TINA
The other possible method Of ap.
preaching the subject u one which rec.
osnises existing constitutional and legal
provisions. existing institutions md the
sentiments Of the people IN 20 far
a. they concern vital portions Of the
system.
A between the two methods Of ap-
proach. h seems 20 clearly h part Of
wisdom TO choose the one last stated a.
aot to require elaboration Of reason.
The essential. the imperative thing. 8
10 make such wise military preparations
and take such wise precautions a are
presently possible These reasons cA-
pose Of many suggesuons which are en-
urely worthy of consideration from q
military standpoint. but which could not
b made effective under existing condi-
tons. Military systems based upon uni
vsrsal military service upon conscrip-
ton " upon national control OF the pub
lie school system fall under his head,
~ also does n policy which can only
b made operative by a constitutional
amendment or by Identical, contempt
raneous legislation in h forty.eight
States Of the Union.
Raising IN Army.
The Constitution provides that Con-
gress maj raise and support armies, and
under that provision the regular stand
Ing army exists. 1t likewise provides
| that organised militia may be maintained
In the different States that the national
force, may decide upon the nature and
character Of it, organization. and may
prescribe the discipline to which II must
conform. II reserves 20 tho respective
States h right to govern this force. to
appoint the oncers thereof. and to
train Il.
It viii BE- seen. therefore. thaG under
the Constitution there - contemplated
two kinds Of military forcss@ons . ma
rectly By h acts Of the national Con.
gress, and the other . force raised en-.
tireiy by the States. TO Be governsd.
ofloered and trained By them n to b
available TO the national authorities In
certain spscinsd Instances.
II the determination arrived at by
those whose knowledge. skill and sxperi-
n makes their JUDGMENT practically
conclusive y aOcspted We should have
In this country . force Of at least 10000
men ready for instant response to q
cali in the event Of war or the imminence
Of war. II 10 surely not necessary to
state the many rsasons why this force
may not b supplied BY q regular stand
inS army Of that number constantly
under arm8.
For reasons which have just been
pointed out Il 10 equally tmpracticsble to
suggest that this force should consist
solely Of the National Guard expanded
TO hat number. There y no legal way
peace. b sovefnsd. of1cered or trained
BY the national Government: and there
b no legal way. excepting ~ volunteer
Ing. that Il can b made available to the
nation In time OF war to any greater
extent than specined In the Constitution.
which confsssedly . short Of the
necessary uses 20 which m army may
have 70 b put in the event Of a war
With q foreign nation
1t 6ecomes necessary. therefore. to de-
wise soms method Of making available
for the use Of the nation in time OF
var . national foros In supplement of
that part Of the national force. to wit.
h regular army. which II constantly
under Arms: . part OF the army. In
other words. to BE- raised and maintained
By Congress and governed In al respects
In accordance with ~ directions.
When this system 10 devised n made
operative the nation would militarily b
In this situation: 1t would have. az
he Constitution provided. an army raised
and maintained BY II, composed Of Q GER
tain number constantly under arms. and
q very much larger number definitely
Identified in personnel. provided with
equipment and organisation. possessed
Of some training n subject to instant
call.
The States would have the organized
militia. developed with Federal assist
ance "a tho highest practicable poin'
Of efficiency. available for the purposes
specified In the Constitution. and 20 cir
cumstanced that in tho event Of . wal
with . foreign nation they could. b,
their own v~olition, Immediately TAXI
Of the nation.
Having reached these conclusions. VI
approach the question OF their prac.
teal application.
!. Our military responsibilities Include
not only continental United States. bu'
also tho Philippine Islands. Hawaii
: Porto Rico and the Panama Canal. o.
the nav side. there 10 necessity fol
! provision not only for mobile arm,
troop@that u, infantry. cavalry AM
J Geld astillery1out for coast fortidca
: tons and tsoo1s 70 man them.
At the present time appropriation
. ere available for The maintenance Of ~
army and all Of the accessory employees
J tuoS0Oxs oCB8uu8 osVbo otuC0tU 8Is
02.sS6 enlisted men OF these $1,000
men are mobile army troops. 10000 an
. coast defence troops, and the balanc,
. are hospital corps. qusrtermaater me-
: and other employees Of hat character.
r OF this number bout $4,000 are o,
, service outside continental United States
leaving therein about $4,000 mobile arm,
, troops n $4,000 coast defence troops
Deductions must DO made from thee
= = latter figures Of sufficient troops to gar
|. rtson the oversees possessions. which vii
. materially reduce each of he total
> above mentioned.
I $4,000 II Militia.
I The organised militia in the variou
States has an enrolment Of approx
mately $4,000 men and officers.
The policy a. proposed provides 70
the ovsrsea g%arrisonS In accordanc
, with the approved plan Of 1913. and 70
: the presence In continental United State
Z Of approximately $4,000 mobile arm,
I troops n 10000 coast artillery troops
4 together with the necessary suxiliar
troopa 10.
The total Of the enlisted mon and of
+ hcers In ths regular army when tn
= plan has been completely carried GU
would be 1850.
The plan necessitates the raising o
tho following additional organization
and proposes to do this In two hsca
: years one-half In the next fiscal yea
. and the other In h succeeding one:
OF