The Alaska daily empire., 1916-01-15
ROOSEVELT REDUCED
 ARMY 11,56O MEN

WASHINGTON, Jan. 15.- If Col. Theodore Roosevelt Is seeking Q scrap With the administration over prepar- edness he will get 1t. Secretary of War Garrison so indicated in a statement in which he "called" the former pres .ident for asserting President Wilson Is endeayoring to appropriate h.s natio- al defense policy
 Mr. Garrison, who, on previous oc- caslons has shown he does not fear to take issue with the doughty scribe of oyster Bay, does not confine his at tack to generaiities, but presents doc umentary evidence to prove his aser- ton that while President the Colonel reduced rather than increased the strength of tho army.
 Instead of borrowing from the Roosevelt policies, the Secretary Of War declares the Wilson administra. ton rejected them in making up the program of preparedness.
 Colonel Late Convert.
 "Mr. Roosevelt" said Mir. Garrison ".,s welcomed as a convert upon the Issue Of preparedness, but the front pew was already filled before his con version and he must now rely on the strength of his voice for recognition"
 The Secretary was prompted to re- fresh the CoIonel's memory in regard to a few facts by the publication of excerpts of a forthcoming magazine article in which Col. Roosevelt ac- cuses the administration of trying to purloin his thunder.
 CT observe" as,ld Mir Garrison. "that Nr Roosevelt celebrates the Christ mas season by presenting himself with all the good things in sight.
 "He says In effect, An policies (which are now popular) are mine He resembles the eager boy who comes in from play to find table full of goodies prepared by his elders and. touching all of the most tooth some. says That's mine. and that's mine. and sos that!
 Shows Roosevelt Reduced Army
 Preparedness was with him. an acquired taste. Others brought 1t for ward and urged 1t upon the attention of the people, and it was only after he found that it suited the,r taste that he became vocal in its behalf
 Standing In awe. as do. of Mir Roosevelt. and being fearful of his wrath, 1t Is with hesitation point out to him that this administration has not only refrained from following one of his policies but has on the contrary repudiated 1t.
 "One of his policies was to reduce the enlisted strength of the army of the United States.
 "Mr. Roosevelt became President on the fourteenth day of September, 1901.
 "On the th,rty-first day of May. 1902. the Secretary of War (Mr Root by the direction of the President (AIr RooseyelO. issued an order re- ducing the enlisted strength of the cavalry from 15,S4O to 14,O40; of the artillery from 1S.S62 to 17.754. and of the infantry from SS.52O to 29.SSO: or total reduction in the enlisted strength of the United States Army 10 11.56O"
 To Challenge Careless Talkers
 Secretary Garrisoa's statement is regarded here is an indication thae the administration does not intend to pass without challenging the care, less tatements of any recognized po- litical enemy. Recently Mir Garrison took issue with former President Taft when he made some carol, ss remarks about the situation in thePhilippines, and prior to that he censured General Leonard Wood for allowing Col Roose- welt to make a political address at training camp.
 The War Secretary, although of an affable disposition, is keen for a fight when he believes that some one is seeking to make capital at the ex. pense of the party In power, and ap. parently can unlimbo- stinglng darts as readily as shafts Of wit. Apparent Fly he has buckled on his ;rmor for a real go with Col. Roosevelt.
 Mir. Garrison believes the adminIs- tration's national defense policy is ad- quate and in this he is supported by the Pras.dcnt.. Whether Congress agrees has not yet been ascertained. oYEsT0FF FAMINE MAY