The Washington herald., 1916-02-12
militia PLAN Of
DEFENSE urged
National Guard Association
Advocates New System as
Preparedness Step.
FOR LIBERALIZATION
Bill Aims to Provide Eventually a
Citizen Army of 2l7.000
Men.
FOR LIBERALIZATION

On the heels Of the resignation of Sec
retary Garrison and the discarding OF
the continental army plan the executive
committee of the National Guard Asso-
ciation yesterday made public its bill
for the establishment of a militia system
OF defense which has been submitted TO
the Senate Military Affairs Committee
The measure, framed along the lines
Of the defense plan advocated by Chair
man Hay, OF the House Military Affairs
Committee, is described in the statement
accompanying 1t as "a complete militia
code" and not a mere pay BILL" the
purpose OF which is TO establish IAN
adequate and efficient force, of citizen
soldiery to supplement the regular army.
Those who have been closely observ-
ing developments at Washington the
statement adds, ARE now practically
agreed that the liberalization of the
militia under an improved and uniform
system is the only plan likely to receive
the favorable consideration Of Con-
gresS"
The bill aims to provide eventually a
citizen army OF 217.Ooo men enlisted in the
proportion OF 800 for each member of Con-
gress in the House of Representatives
In addition, 1t proposes the establishment
OF junior guard. made up OF militia be-
tween the ages OF Il and IS years. II a
State falls to maintain its allotted quota
of militia the President. according to the
terms of the bill. would be empowered to
make a draft upon its citizens for militia
service
The liberalization feature Of the bill
lies In the requirement that enlisted men
shall subscribe to the agreement TO serve
in the militia for two years within or
without the continental limits Of the Uni
ted states In the event that II is ordered
ino active service by the President
Details of Measure.
The National Guard bill. as described
by its authors, deals with the four func-
tons Of Federal control recognized under
the Constitution: Organization. arma-
ment disciplining (Which includes train
ing) and government It is believed to
provide the means for overcoming all Of
the objections which have been urged at
the War Department against the present
militia system, and includes a uniform
method for the selection and appointment
OF commissioned officers: a standard OF
physical and professional qualification
for them, and method for eliminating
the unfit; 1t fixes the tenure OF commits
stoned officers and term OF enlistment;
makes provision for a reserve system:
specifies the quota Of troops to be fur
nished by each State within a given num-
Der Of years and gives the President the
right to draft and organize the militia
in any State which may fail TO raise a
volunteer force, II he deems It proper
to do So
1t establishes a uniform system of
court-martial for the National Guard
and makes that force subject to the
articles Of war; 1t denies to any State
the right to maintain troops other
than as organized under the proposed
act, or to disband any unit OF militia
which has been armed and eouipped
and enjoyed the dement's Of federal
support except with the consent Of
the President. The bill provides for
the abolishment of the National MI
litia Board and would create a militia
section of the general stan. TO be ap-
pointed by the President by and with
the advice and consent OF the Senate,
to be composed OF National Guard off,
GERS. whose duty 1t shall be to recon-
mend to the Secretary OF War policies
for the improvement and development
of the National Guard.