Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1916-01-06
GARRISON ARGUES
FOR ARMY PLANS
IN HOUSE REPORT
Federal Force of Million Men in
Six Years Part of Mill
tary Policy.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 6.-Secretary
Garrison laid before the House mill
tary affairs committee today his
formal argument in behalf of the ad-
ministrations army plan which is
designated to give the country a
definite military policy. 1t proposes
the creation of mobile Federal force
of more than a million men in six
years, accumulation of q huge re-
serve of ammunition and equipment
and elaborate extension of the coast
defenses, the whole project involving
an increased expense of 5000, 100000
and an annual war department bud
get thereafter of more than 5000 000,
600 as compared with an average of
500, ,000,0 900 for the last few years.
The integrity of the nation and
its very existence" the secretary said
reading from a lengthy statement he
had prepared, may depend upon
what is done in this matter at this
time. This great opportunity will be
lost unless a wise, sensible and prac-
ticaI policy is the result of the con-
| sideration and action of this Con-
gress."
/ Referring TO the farspread military
responsibilities of the nation. reach
ing into the insufar possessions,
China, Alaska and the Panama Canal
Zone, Mr.. Garrison added:
Protect Sovereignty of Republics.
1--WE have determined and an
nounced that the sovereignty of the
other republics on this hemisphere
shall remain inviolable, and must
| therefore at all times stand ready to
make good our position in this con-
nection."
He then quoted figures to show the
full strength of the army on June 30
last-105,993 officers and men of the
combatant forces, and their present
distribution. To these should be add
ed, he said, 1,1S3 officers and 1888
men of the non-combatant arms of
the service. bringing the total num-
Der of Federal troops up to 106,6l9
He pointed out that the item of pay
alone made up approximately so per
cent. of the total proposed appropria-
tions.
The United States, including
Alaska, said the secretary, is of
greater area than the combined total
of Austro- Hungary, Belgium, the
British Isles. Bulgaria, Denmark,
France, Germany, Greece, Italy.
Japan, Portugal, Russia, in Europe;
Spain and Turkey, in Europe, the
total of these areas representing only
81 per cent. of that of the United
States.
Increased Numbers Needed.
"There Is common agreement among
those who have studied the subject
intelligently that we should have a
force in the continental United states
of 100000 men subject to instant call.
Modern warfare while it has DEM
onstrated the increased use of me-
chanical instruments of war, has also
demonstrated the increased use Of
numbers. In addition, therefore, to
those with the colors subject to in
stant call, there should be at all times
in the country large numbers of men
available, by reason Of previous SER
vice. for military purposes.
"Our immediate problem, therefore,
seems to be how shall we meet these
requirements.
1.-The adjutant- general. after a most
careful consideration of the whole
subject matter and personal attention
thereto, reaches the conclusion that
he cannot expect, under present con-
ditions, to recruit more than $4,000
men per year for the army. II would.
therefore, seem impracticable in the
last degree to consider that the prob
lem can be solved by providing for a
standing army of the size necessary
for this solution.
Defense Rests Upon Citizens.
81 do not in any way share the fear
of those who think that proper mill
tary preparations involve any inter-
ference whatever with the supremacy
of the civil authorities. l do, how.
ever, firmly believe that in democ>
racy the defense Of the nation should
rest upon the citizens and not upon
professional, paid military force, con-
stantly under arms and devoted solely
to military pursuits. l think It is
clear that from every standpoint we
can dismiss the suggestion that the
situation should be properly met by
standing army of 100000 men, con-
stantly under arms"
Turning to the National Guard, Mr.
Garrison said:
''At the present time this force con-
sists of approximately 1890 men and
officers, and 1t would, therefore, be
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