The Washington times., 1916-01-06
Secretary Tells Committee
: Continental Army" Alone
Can Prevent ConsCrlptiOn.
BIG STANDING ARMY FUTILE
Reliance on State Militia Also
"UtterIy Unwarranted"- d"-NO
Trouble to Recruit, He Says.

Americans must adopt voluntary mill
tary training or face conscription. This
was Secretary OF War Garrlson's warn
ing today when he. opened the army ma
tio1ai defense hearings before the
House Military Committee.
He declared large standing army
undesirable and utterly futile" and
asserted reliance upon State militia
utterly unwarranted" and an ''un-
stable foundation" His continental
army plan. he said, was the only reas-
fble alternative II compulsory military
training and conscription for service is
60 be avoided.
''If you adopt a system based on
voluntary action Cthe continental army
plan) of the people and that fails then
policies based on universal service or
some form of compulsory service Will
be enacted as the only remaining rem
edy." said Garrison.
Outlines His Plan.
The Secretary of War read a long
statement to the committee in opening
his examination outlining the Admins
tFation army preparedness program, in
Guiding increase of the standing army
to 10000 men, the continental army or
10000 volunteers, and increase or mu-
milton supplies and strengthening or
coast Notifications His grillinE py
committee members will follow.
Garrison did not argue at length al
legged necessity for the preparednesa
program.
The people are now insisting that
such proper measures for naIional de-
fense' shall be taken" said Garrison
The integrity of the nation and its
is done at this time. The people have
passed beyond a point OF requiring
further debate or reasons for necessity
for such action.
We may not solve our problem by
either regular standing army or at
tempting use of the militia"
Against Swiss or Australian Plans.
Regarding invoking the Swiss or AUS
tralian universal training system, GAR
rison said:
Neither il believed practicable at
this time. The National Government
has no Jurisdiction over the States pub
lie school systems. A constitutional
amendment would be required to rive
IT such jurisdiction. Furthermore. It il
not believed the people have reached
the conclusion that compulsory military
service Is a necessity.
our present military force is totally
Inadequate to our responsibilities. The
chaos which a crisis always produces
makes 1t certain that several months
would intervene after outbreak Of war
peIore any considerable number Of VOL
unteers would be ready.
There is a disposition among Soma
tnat We are now facing A crisis This
is not the proper view. There is com
rn6 mon noo agreement that we should nave
bOO,eO0 men subject to instant CALI
Garrison said it was mpossibie. and
would be enormously expensive TO
maintain standing army of that num-
her. declaring present accommodation
That the cost OF a half million men !
would be half billion collars annual
ly was declared.
1T is also impossible under present,
conditions to enlist more than $1,000 a
year.. Garrison explained.
Defense On Citizens.
Tn democracy the nations defense.
should rest upon the citizens and not |!
upon professional paid force" he de !
clared.
Federalizing OF the National Guard !
Harrison said. was impossible because ;
the Government lacks authority over the |
states militia. He disapproved the Fed /
eral militia paw bill.
That the militia be given the right !
thG SOHllHenldl army grade i
Tor grade was recommended.
Thus free discretion and choice would |
pc anorded either to stay In the National !
Guard. which will be conserved and |
built up on an even more liberal scale /
than at present, or enter the Continental |
army without any loss of rank" Gar
rison stated. He denied that the militia
would be injured by the Continental
army's organization.
No Trouble To Recruit.
Recruiting of the Continental army
from private military schools and high
schools can be expected Garrison pre-
dlcted. That all United States military
experts were united in indorsing the
army plan was asserted
There Is absolutely nothing new in
this suggestion" said Garrison. ut is
merely system of Federal volunteers
raised. organized, equipped. and trained
in times of peace.
'"The occasion calls for a wise, sem
sible, adequate military policy on per-
manent lines and for definite ends.
IT compulsory service is now desired
for the country, then short provision
In the act will accomplish II. -
"A small, highly trained, highly et- T.
fectiVe regular army, eXpansible in g
character, Federal volunteers raised,
ofdceTed. and trained in time of peace, Il
. nh the national guard for State uses
Is the best solution. IA
''I think 1t is our imperative duty to
Justify the expectations of the people
on this great subject"