The Washington herald., 1916-12-17
Army and Navy News
Best Service CoIumn in Ctr

Additional appropriations of more than
No,ooo,Ooo to supply machine guns for the
regular army and the militia during the
next hscal year have been sent to Con-
gress by the Secretary OF War. The esti-
mates cal1 for s5,2s5.o0o for machine guns
Tor the regular army and a reserve sup
ply, and N.92, 900 for machine guns for
the National Guard. The appropriations
would furnish machine guns for indi-
vidual units as required by the national
defense act.
Secretary Of the Navy Daniels will ap-
prove the recommendation that the $780,
600 experimental laboratory for the naval
establishment be located at Annapolis.
Nd 1t was learned yesterday.
Hearings on universal military training
will begin tomorrow before a subcom-
mittee of the Senate Military Affairs
Committee The subcommittee consists
of Senators Chamberlain, Of Oregon:
Thomas, Of Colorado, and Brady, OF
Idaho.
The American Union Against Militarism
mas given notice IT will send represent
atives to appear before the committee
Numerous preparedness advocates also
are to be heard. After the hearings the
suocommitte will draft a universal mill
tary training bill to lay before the main
committee.
Army oficers are interested In the re-
cent testimony of Brig. Gen. Henry p.
Mccain. adjutant general OF the army.
before tho House Committee on Military
Affairs, to the effect that during the
four months ended October 81 last there
was net increase OF 1000 enlisted men
month in the regular army. At this
rate, Gen. Mccain said, the enlisted
strength of the army will be only 4,0oc
below the authorized strength at the
end of the present fiscal year.
On October 81 last the enlisted strength
Of the army was 1l2,o00 exclusive Of
Philippine Scouts. The authorized
strength Of the army on that date was
l3S,0Oo, but the actual shortage was in
reality about 1900 rather than the 5000
indicated. Gen. Mccain made it plain
that the entire problem of recruiting has
been greatly complicated by high wages
paid for civilian work. especially in
munitions factories. Nevertheless, he
said, there was every probability that
the army would enlist the full quota Of
troops authorized under the law.
Gen. Mccain said there are at present
about $1,000 National Guardsmen on the
July.
The paramount need of the Marine
Corps. according to the annual report OF
Mai. Gen. George Barnett, commandant
of this branch OF the military service. Is
the establishment on each coast of a
large Marine Corps post where expedi-
tionary forces may be trained.
NO provision was made by Congress
at the last session." says the report. Ito
provide barracks in which TO house the
additional men or to provide maneuver
fields on which TO train them. The pro-
posed development OF navy yards will
require all available space therein for
the Industrial establishments. leaving no
room for the enlargement of Marine
Corps plants, except at Philadelphia,
which has been made the permanent sta
ton of the advance base fixed defense
force, and at Mare Island. where the
Marine Corps west coast recruit training
station Is located.
Preparedness for war demands that
training in peace should approximate as
closely as possible to war conditions and
that q military force should be so or
ganized and equipped as to be constantly
in immediate readiness for war service.
Furthermore, II Is essential in the in
terests Of war efficiency that officers
should be given the opportunity to COM
mand in time OF peace the organizations
which they would be required to COM
mand in time of war. A brigadier gen.
eral or a colonel. for instance, can not
command a brigade or a regiment eff
ciently in time OF war unless he has
commanded the unit mentioned in time
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