The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1915-11-09
Swiss SYSTEM
|MPRACICABLE
IN iI|.iH|..E |. !.
War Department. Plan for
National d ef ense Best
We Can Have.
THAT OR MIL|TARISM
Assistant Secretary Brock
enridge Talks to National
Guard Asso ciation.

SAN FRANCISCO, Nov. 9.-Nation-
al defense founded upon such q sys-
tenn as the administrations proposed
continental army. offers the only pos
sible avenue Of escape from compuls.
ory military service for all citizens
rotary Breckinridge, of the War De-
partment, declared today, addressing
The annual convention here OF the Ma
tional Guard Association.
I'm the last year" said Mr.. Breck-
inridge, 1--WE have seen all tho mani
fold resources of nations welded into
one instrument and subordinnted to
one will for the waging of war on a
scale never before witnessed In his
tory. II the liberties Of republics are
10 be maintained their military re-
sources must be adequately translated
into military strength. For the frat
time In the history fof our country q
gettled and permanent military policy
u.s. proposed for the nation. There are
those who say It will not work. The
answer is that 1t will have to work.
And. Furthermore, that II 1t will not
had except under the compelling hand
Of q miiitarism that none Of us de !.
slres to contemplate.
Secretary Breckinridge paid high
tribute to the spirit that had kept tho
National Guard alive and active and
built IL up to an organization $4,000
strong, despite public apathy toward
the question Of military preparedness
In days OF peace.
liver since the Spanish War" lie
said, there has been a group Of men,
unselfish, persistent, energetic, that III
season and out of season and always
without any great favor, have dinned
into the ears OF the American public
the now apparent need for expansion
ind improvements Of the land forces OF
the nation. Today as q National
Guard sman ! proclaim the credit that
Is due to the Guard for nursing and
keeping alive in this country an es-
HentialN and reasonable. military spirit
md reciationS of the truths Of mill
tary history when they were most
needed" e i
IN outlining the gigantic task Of
WORKING out an adequate military pol
ICY for the nation the speaker said tho
SWISS military system was not adapt
nble to American needs. as tho federal
goyernment could not control tho
school system bofs the country and the
Gonstitu luton provided for State troops,
while the Australian system would
hHve taken 100 long a time to turn out
rained oldiers. Faced with these
problens, he added the originators OF
The policy had fallen back upon what
the President had refined, as "a cit
izenry trained jyand accustomed to
arms" and always ready to take the
Held. This. he said. was the theory
upon which was founded tho plan to
organize o Continental army Of AGO.
200 men.
Secretary Breckenridge Indicated
that Q new division of the general
utam probably would be created 10
handle the Saffnirs OF the Continental
army although many details of its ad :
mintstration would remain under COM
manaers q territorial departments OF
the Regular army. These DEPART
ments. he said, would be further smb.
divided with states as territorial, nm
Y q administration and by divisions
es tactical units. St'