New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-04-19
Army Officer Declares
Compulsion Alone Can
Defend u. 5.
DOUBTS 100000 MEN
COULD BE ENLISTED
Expert Says National Guard Co.
operation Is Impossible. Be-
cause Ii Is Side Issue.

"The introduction Of system OF
compulsory military training is the one
means by which the American people
can prepare adequately to protect
themselves and their possessions an
army officer stationed here said last
night People are so busy following
UP their own interests and earning
their own salaries that they have no
time TO think of protecting the nation.
Until this country is actually brought
into war and defeated, they will no;
realize how i'll prepared for any emer-
gency the United States is at present.
Then, if their country is still lett to
them, they will be stirred TO action.
America is not as well prepared for
war as China is at the present time
In expressing hope that the present
interest in preparedness now sweeping
the country might be OF great benei, IN
educating the public 10 the needs OF
practical defence, the officer said he
feared this interest was merely tempo
rary.
"Since il was decided TO increase the
army by 10000 men at the beginning
of the present Mexican situation only
1000 men have enlisted. The whole
trouble is that an army made up on
volunteer basis has to compete with
industries. The army offers a fixed
salary. America to-day is just ready
TO fill its large orders for munitions for
European governments. Shops are
working overtime and paying big
wages. Men will not go into the army
when they can get much larger wages
outside.
National Guard Not Unit.
"The national guard is a splendid
organization, but il is side issue with
the men who compose IL. Their chief
interest is in their own particular vo-
cations, and they are not compelled TO
go TO the front when the call comes.
They drill once week and make splen-
did sacrifices, but a fighting organza-
tion to-day must be unit. II must be
in as perfect training as a college
football team. This cooperation is i'm
possible for the national guard. The
British Territorials. an analogous
body, were not permitted az the front
in France until they had trained for
ten months. although they had been
drilling regularly at stated times.
Although detailed plans Of defence
of the coast cities are being rapidly
worked out they are of no immediate
value because there are no MEL TO
carry them out. For every man at the
front there must be from four TO six
men back of the lines supporting him.
70 use the figure of a sword, the fight
ing force is the cutting edge of the
blade, and the men behind 1.-THE ar
tisans, laborers and directors are the
force which drives the blow. The ma
ton must cooperate universally before
the United States can be said TO be pre-
pared for an emergency
Sees Army of 225,000.
The officer did not believe that the
vote of the Senate yesterday. which
provided for the increase of the regu-
lar army 10 peace strength Of 100000
men, was influenced by either the Mex
lean or the German situation. In his
opinion the proposed strength will be
reduced to between 220 900 and 225,00
in conference, thus making the total
practically that provided for by the
Chamberlain bill, a measure almost
identical with that drafted By the gen.
eral staff.
at is all very we'll 70 pass a bill Of
this Sort" the officer continued. but
the difficulty lies in filling its pro-
visions. The failure Of men to enlist
at the time Of the 10000 Increase
shows how long it would take TO raise