The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-01-11
GEN. SCOTT WANTS
ARMY OF 100000
n Monumental Plan Fails Com.
pulsion Must Follow, lie
Tells Legislators.
INVASION OF q. s. Is EASY

wAsniSGroN, Jan. 1o.-The creation
A, A standing army of 10000 0 man
10 pro,cct the United States against pos
chic invasion from Europe was recon-
,snded to the House Committee on Mill
.sry Anairs to-day by Gen. Hugh L.
sro,t. chief OF stan Of the United States
amy. zen. Scott told the committee
IA, II would be perfectly feasible To-.
,nr OF the big Powers Of Europe, or q
sonblna,ion Of them, to and a force on
,be eastern shores Of the United States
accordingly, Gen. Scott believes II to be
,hs duty OF the Government to raise an
,rny Of 1000, 900 against the time when
40 might be called upon to resist q
foreign foe.
The General, gave II as his opinion
,ha, compulsory military service was
n. only effective means Of raising q big
amy IN time OF peace. He favored en-
-oliing In the military service all young
men e,ween the ages Of 1s and 81 for
, specified period Of service. 1t was
suggested to him that no nation could
l,yade this country without taking 81
iong A time about II as to give the
United states ample opportunity to pre-
rare II also IA suggested that inva-
.on Of the United States would require
a force much larger than II would be
practicable for a European Power to
transport across the ocean.
Now Invasion Would Como.
Gen. Scott explained to the committee
the possibilities OF invasion by several
European Powers as worked out by the
General stan Of the army. He proceeded
10 show thar Austria could land $4,000
men in a first expedition and more thar
100000 in n second expedition fully
equipped for the field that Germany
could land $4,000 In a first expedition
and 10000 In a second expedition
ina, France could land 10000 in a
first expedition and 24s,00O In q Sec
ord expedition.
Besides. we must remember the pos
sbillty OF being attacked by combina-
tons Of European Powers" remarked
Gen. Scott.
The chief Of STAFF told the COMMITTEES
,ha. his conclusions were not based on
mere surmise or speculation. but were
founded upon inquiries as to the num-
Ter Of men and ships that the various
countries OF Europe might use In an In
vasion Of the United States. lie added
IA: 1t would take only from ten to
fifteen days for an invading force TO
reach the United States.
Gen. Scotts approval OF universal
tompulsory military service prompted
representative Anthony OF Kansas. a
member Of the committee. TO exc,a,m
But nat would raise an army OF from
NC 10 four million men"
Two million men does not friehten
me. remarked Gen. Scott. III Germany
o. any other foreign nation determined
20 invade us and once got a foo,hold we
would need every man Of them"
The chief OF Stan told the
iisi the United States army
ia'orably in efficiency and quality with
any Ike establishment IN Europe. The
only criticism hat could he made OF
the regular army. he said. was Its small
ere With compulsory military service.
cen. Scott thought, this country could
reduce the rate of pay TO its soldiers
anu maintain a great army at about the
same cost that IL now expended on a
ANAL army.
Soldiers Hard to Train.
Gen. Scott discussed his ideas OF mill
ury training. He expressed the opin-
'n that Il would take at least two years
% II q man for the reserve.
The Chief Of STAFF gave his unqualified
sfproval 20 the creation OF a continental
army as recommended by the Secretary
'"f i" Nhoubll TIE younger men
II the country woul enlist in the con-
mental army and was Of the opinion
MAT this force n the State militia
could be developed side by side. He
favored making the regular army and
ne militia the first line Of land defence.
What do you believe should be done
tH's continental army plan fails? >"
Gen scott was asked.
""e must then resort to compulsory
universal service" he replied.
is that the Idea in the mind OF the
Genera Stan? Is the Department try
ing 10 bring about universal service"
can only speak for my self" re-
pied Gen. Scott. II believe tina all
civilized countries to-day which are In
oe'ger Of invasion are being forced to
ADOPT this policy. England has been
FORCED 10 II even AZ this late date"
But England only resorted 10 II in
tine Of war" suggested Representa-
i've Quinn Of Mississippi.
II would have been far better for
fer u she mad reached that point be.
.oTe war was declared returned the
Chief OF STAFF.