New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-01-19
Military Affairs Commit
tee Friendly to Cont
mental Army Project.
SECRETARY ASSAILS
STATE TROOPS IDEA
Saws II viii Create Vast Politl'
cal Organization Merely to
Draw Federal Pay.
From H., Tribune Buresul


Washington, Jan. Is. Secretary OF
War Garrison opened the Senate MIL
tarv Affairs Committee hearing on
army preparedness. this afternoon with
vigorous attack on attempts TO di-
vert tho preparedness sentiment toward
n development Of the militia, which, ne
believes. would be utterly useless Tor
real defence.
The hearing showed much more
friendly Senate attitude toward the
Secretary than was shown In the House
and made it evident that, while the con
tinental army plan was not by any
means agreed TO. the committee was
practically unanimous that a very real
increase in the land forces should be
provided.
Secretary Garrison especially empna-
sized that until the American people
gave IN the idea Of relying on the "im-
possible" system OF state troops a
military system which would stand the
strain of war would never be built up.
"The one thing that has always pre-
wanted military progress has been these
state systems" said the Secretary.
"Tbe militia always stands in the way
it's officers saying that they wished to
be the only body outside the Federal
army. Now. if you put them on me
Federal payroll especially u, as sug
rested. you expand them TO any sucH
strength as the 1000 which are nee
c.sarv YOU will simply be building up
an organization that VIII oppose any ,
thing that viii come between them ana
their Federal pay and viii prevent any
building mp Of rational. effective mlI'-
tary system Of defence
From the earliest tunes All hoSt
who gave intelligent consideration o.
the question have advocated the con
tincntal army plan. The irst Secretary
of War. General Knox. submitted =
plan of universal military training o.
citizen army. 81
alteration with his Secretary or war
General Dearborn. proposed pracIl j.
caUy Identical plan. Ills proposal
failed iu Congress because. as ne wrote
on Auru 27. 1906: a diversity OF IDEAS
however. among the members, arising
from partiality 90 local systems, de-
feated that
After -he huu- liating and disastrous
cxperienccs Of our land forces m me
war Of 1872. jefferson, on September >.
1874. Speaking with respect 10 the IN
efficiency displayed in that val. wrote;
Our people are TOO happy 4 home 20
enter into regular service. and we
cannot be- defended but by making
every citizen q soldier
Numerous similar proposals have
proceeded from former Secretaries OF
War. and they have all failed because
of diversity OF ideas among the mem
hers Of Congress arising from partial
lty for local systems.
Tho lesson rs perfectly clear that
until we entirely abandon the idea o.
relying upon the impossible system Of
state troops for national defence NC
can never build a system upon any
foundation that will endure or that
will stand the strain o. war
Major General Leonard Wood, former
chief Of staff and now commander OF
the Department Of the East, will APP
pear before the committee tomorrow.
To- be followed by Major General Car
ter. retired. author of the most recent
work on the military philosophy OF the
Jnitcd States.