Omaha daily bee., 1916-01-07
ARMY PLAN BEFORE
HOUSE COMMITTEE
Secretary Garrison Explains Plan
for Creating Army of Million
Within Six Years.
WILL DOUBLE THE WAR BUDGET


WASHINGTON. Jan. 6.--secretary
Garrison laid before the house mill
tary affairs committee today his for
NAL argument in behalf of the ad-
ministration's army plan which is de-
signed 10 give the country a definite
military policy. II proposes the crea-
ton OF a mobile federal force of more
than 100000 men in six years, ac-
cumulation Of a huge reserve of am
munition and equipment and elabor-
ate extension OF the coast defenses.
the whole project involving an
expenditure OF $500. 100000. and
an annual War department budget
thereafter OF more than 100000
600, as compared with an average OF
500, 900. 900 for the last few years.
'The integrity Of the nation and It's
inxfstence." the secretary said. reading
from q lengthy statement he had pre-
Pared. may depend upon what Is done
in this matter at this time. This great
opportunity viii be lost unless a wise,
sensible and practical policy il the result
of the consideration and action Of this
congress.'
Many outside responsibilities.
Referring to the far-spread military re-
eponsibiities OF the nation reaching into
hhe insular possessions, China. Alaska
and the Panama canal zone, Mr.. Gar
Jison added:
I'VE have determined and announced
that tho sovereignty of the other re-
publics on this hemisphere shall remain
snviolable and must therefore at all times
stand ready TO make good our position in
connection.
There II a disposition upon the part
OF somc." he continued. TO assume that
we are forcing crisis. The only way
10 meet any emergency Is by adopting
emergency measures. The personnel and
material needed for military purposes
should be Immediately mobiIized. Every
nerve should be strained and every re-
source drawn upon and nothing over
locked necessary to preserve and defend
rs regardless of cost and OF other con-
siderRtions
There Is common agreement among
those who have studied the subject in
telligently that we should have a force
bn the continental United states OF
100000 men subject 20 instant call.
"our immediate problem, therefore.
seems to be how shall we meet these re-
uuirements.
The adIutant general reaches the con-
illusion that he cannot expect, under
present conditions, to recruit more than
5000 men per year for the army. II
would, therefore. seem irnpracticabie in
ha In 10 A.
lem can be solved by providing for n
ptanding army OF the size necessary for
This solution"
Aid for National Guard,
Turning to the National guard. Mr.
Harrison said:
AT tho present time this force oonsls,s
Approximately $4,000 men and officers.
and. II would therefore be necessary. n
- to be expanded TO 10000 to add
e7i,ooO men and officers.
= therefore. propose a large addition
70 the federal aid extended 70 the Ma
Pional guard 80 that the system may be
operated to It's maximum capacity and
DC available Tor the federal purposes
lion"
The secretary then outlined the con-
t'neheal army plan which proposes TO
raise 10000 men in annual increments az
$4,000 each from districts approximat,ng
the 600 congressional districts, each 10
supply Ss5 men annually The men would
enlist for three years with the colora and
three years on furlouEh and will be
armed equipped and differed.
The training would be done by officers
OF the National guard and they would
De paid during the time OF their service
on The same basis as the regular army.
seventy Thousand Regulars.
Turning TO the question OF the size OF
tho regular army necessary to train the
conunentals and carry on the various
military activities OF the War depart.
ment In normal times. Mr.. Garrison said
II had been demonstrated 70 him that a
mobile force OF 5000 men and 20 1000 coast
artillery troops would serve all needs.
such force, an increase Of nearly CO.. 0C
over the present army. he said. would be
comparatively inexpensive. would require
no additional quarters and could be re,
eruited. For these reasons he recon
nended the addition OF ten regiments OF
infantry. four regiments OF field artillery
fifty-two companies OF coast artillery
fifteen companies Of engineers and foul
aero squadrons TO the present force
prAhAlnk the ENLISTED strength IN wv
years up to l3i.7O7 and the number O
officers 10 1855.
The officers and men Of the new or
ganizations are absolutely essential II IN
War department plan Il 20 he faiFl
tried out" he added. In the plan Of
the war college division OF the genera
staff. an army OF about 200oo IL 80 dis
tributed that In continental United State
there would be left $4,000 mobile arm
troops. In the War department plar
these divisions are at peace strength. .
that they are capable OF expansion. tn
war college division plan proposed tive
year enlistment, with six years in n
serve and. eventually. at the end OF eigt
years, makes up q line OF 10000 me
OF the regular army. OF whom iA.0
would be with the colors and $4,000
reserve"
Hay Asks Questions.
Chairman Hay asked II recent order
Of the War department would preveT
army officers from giving the eommitte
free expression OF their individual view
They are free as air" the secretaI
replied. They are bound only by vocab'