The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-08-25
PRAISES TACTICAL
 M0BIL[zING PLAN
The Infantry Journal Says It aids In Execution of De-
 tailed Army Work.

Under the caption, "The Mobiliza- ton of the National Guard" The In- fantry Journal, published by the off, cers of that arm of the regular army, discusses in it's August issue the call ing into the Federal service of the militia units for border duty.
 "The recent call of the organized militia" The Journal says. into the service of the Federal government diff fers from all previous calls through the fact that tactical organizations were called for instead of numerical quotas. This method will not, of course, give us higher units capable of immediate employment; it has, never theless, certain distinct points of su- periority over numerical summons that may not be appreciated from a casual consideration of the wording of the call.
 "The first of the advantages that becomes apparent is that call thus framed indicates the intention of the execution of a detailed plan which would otherwise require long and careful study and many conferences between the different agencies con- cerned to reach an agreement; it may, indeed, be doubted whether any we'll digested plan for the higher organiza- ton of newer units could be formed had the drafting of the organizational scheme been deferred until the oc- currence of the emergency.
 without a preconceived plan it seems certain that the whole scheme of organization would be evolved on the basis of the interests of mbitious candidates for military rank, and would from the viewpoint of tactical necessities be entirely haphazard in its nature.
 Plan Formulated in 1912
 "The plan of organization, in ac- cordance with which the mobilization now in process is being conducted, was formulated as the result of con- ferences between the General Staff, the Division of Militia Affairs, and State authorities in 1912 The plan contemplated the formation of twelve tactical divisions corresponding to twelve groups of contiguous states. These divisions were incomplete at the time of the adoption of the plan, and most of them are still consider ably short of completion.
 "The organizational scheme was adopted as guide for the forma- tion of new units, and each State was thus given notice of the units it would be expected to raise to complete its quota Many of the States took steps toward raising the units assigned to them which were not already in ex- istence, so that the actual compost ton of the National Guard today ap- breaches he tactical necessities of army Organization much more close ly than it did before the scheme was published.
 "In regard to the raising of the units still required to complete the tactical organization, the advantage of the existence of a well-defined scheme is apparent. There is now no question as to what new units are required, nor as to the States which are to raise them. With definite knowledge of the units required, each State can proceed with it's organiza ton on the basis of information which has been in it's possession for four years, and in view of which definite plans should have been drafted. Re- ports indicate that many States are now making efforts to complete their quotas, and if given time and oppor- tunity they will doubtless meet the requirements of the division plan.
 Puts Curb on Ambitions
 Not the least of the advantages of the organizational scheme lies in the power which it gives to limit ap- pointments of the numerous candi- dates for the positions of general of ficers, who never fail the nation in an emergency. With exact knowledge as to the higher units to be formed. general officers can be selected to command definite tactical units in stead of the units being raised to create positions for particular per sons. It almost goes without say ing that this feature of the question is almost sure to subject the plan to attacks and possible disruption in the interest of persons to whose ann bitions it may constitute an obstacle.
 '"The divisional scheme is the con- crete expression of the spirit of team work. As such 1t represents the gen. eral interest as opposed to the interest of individuals, and should receive the active support of all who are inter- as the expression of definite policy has already become apparent, for it has made possible continuous and pro-
 
 could have been only halting, vacilla- ton, and conflict
 'The second step in the plan of or ganization, after the divisional quotas have been completed and raised to war strength and field army troops have been organized, will be the for nation of the depot battalions au- thorized for the National Guard by the National Defense act of June 3, 1916. Here another danger, illus trated by our Civil War history, is to be guarded against. Our history shows that as soon as an organization of this nature has been formed pres sure is brought to bear to get it to the front, regardless of it's fitness for service and the deficiency in strength | of units already in service. The likeli- l hood of such action will be increased if the provisions of the new law au- the consolidation of depot 1 battalions into provisional regiments | are given effect.
 ''It is unfortunate that immediate demands of the situation made it inn possible to retain the National Guard | at the mobilization camps until it | could be fully fitted to carry through | to a finish any task which the future | may impose upon it. From a purely | military standpoint, it seems certain | that such a course would in the long | run result in an actual saving of time l so far as the final object is concerned. |