The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-12-18
CHIEF OF STAFF
DECLARES ARMY
SYSTEM FAILURE
General Scott Urges Compul-
sorry Military Training.
Cites Border Organization as
Timely Illustration.
WAR NOW FINISHED SCIENCE
War Furnishes Valu-
able Lesson for Z. s.
Should Have 100000 Men
Available on 90-Day Notice.

Washington, Dec. 1S.-Major Gen
eral Scott chief of staff of the army,
told the senate military committee
that the army general staff recon-
mended without apology that the vol
unteer system be discarded because
the time has come when this country.
unless it intends to avoid war AT any
cost must resort to universal liability
to military training and service
Arraigning the volunteer system as
extravaganza and unscientifio, the
chief of staff told the committee that
universal training would be demo-
cratic, reliable, efficient and econom-
ica1 and within few years practically
render the United States immune from
attack.
''It would be democratic he said,
because the burden of national de-
Tense would fall equally upon all citi-
zens. 1t would make it impossible for
any man or group of men to trade
upon the nations necessities in time
of war. The system would be relia BILE
because it would produce each year
the number of men necessary to be
trained. It would be economical be-
cause it would be based upon recogni-
ton by the people of the duty of the
individual to render personal service,
and in carrying it into effect the gov
eminent would not have to compete
in the labor market. 1t would be eff
ficient because it would enable US to
prepare adequately for war before war
comes"
Failed to Recruit Guards.
At the outset General Scott pointed
out that the Mexican crisis had failed
to recruit many national guard organ
iZations even to their minimum peace
strength.
THE failure should make the whole
people realize that the volunteer sys-
tenn does not. and probably will not
give US either the men we need in
peace or for service in war said he.
Reviewing the intensive training
which European and other nations re-
quire, he declared that if American
troops ever were to compete with
highly trained and splendidly disci-
p1ined forces they would require train
ing and discipline at least equal to
that of the opponents.
The lessons of the European war,
the general said, had demonstrated
that a higher standard of training and
discipline were required than was
popularity considered necessary before
and that most of the European ma
tions for that reason found they could
not develop them in less than two
years with the colors.
1872 Hours Training Not Enough,
at should be obvious he said.
that 1872 hours training prescribed
for the national guard is utterly in
adequate to prepare this force for war
service
For war with a first class power the
general staff had previously estimated
that 100000 fully equipped troops
should be ready at the outbreak and
that 5000 600 more should be available
in 90 days. In view of the lessons of
the war, the general was now of the
opinion that these numbers should be
trfpled and that 100000 fully
equipped and ready troops should be
available with another 100000 to
follow in 80 days.
Dubious About British.
ut should be pointed out also that
our northern neighbor is in alliance
with a powerful Oriental nation-an-
other island empire-and for the same
reason when acting in alliance with
power which has control of the sea
has ability to send its army of 2,225-
600 men to any part of the world
without danger of invasion.
Il think mere statement of these
facts makes it clear that at present
we are practically defenseless before
the veteran armies of our northern
neighbor and could easily be crushed
by the existing coalition of the island
empires
ASK Church E0R AIN