The Washington times., 1916-01-06
TRAIN FOR WAR
OR FACE DRAFT,
GARRISON WARNS
Secretary Tells Committee
"ContinentaI Army Alone
Can Prevent Consumption.
BIG STANDING ARMY FUTILE
Reliance on State Militia Also
"UtterIy Unwarranted"- d"-No
Trouble to Recruit, He Says.

Americans must adopt voluntary mill
tary training or face conscrption. Thi
was Secretary OF War GarrIson's warn
Ing today when he opened the army ma
tionh defense hearings before tn,
House Military Committee.
He declared a large standing arm,
undesirable and utterly futile" ant
asserted reliance upon State militia
utterly unwarranted' and an 'un.
stable foundation His continenta
army plan. he said, was the only reas.
fhle alternative II compulsory military
training and conscription for service Is
to be avoided.
II you adopt system hased on
voluntary action the continental army
rian) of the people and that fails, then
policies based on universal service or
some form of compulsory service Will
be enacted as the only remaining rem
edy." said Garrison.
Outlines His Plan.
The Secretary of War read a long
statement to the committee in opening
his examination outlining the Admins
tration army preparedness program. in
Guiding increase OF the standing army
to 10000 men, the continental army or
&c.," volunteers, and increase or mu-
milton supplies and Strengthening or
coast fortifications. His grilling d,
committee members will follow.
Garrison did not argue at length al
legged necessity for the preparednesa
program.
The people are now insisting thai
DrODer
1ense' shall be taken" said Garrison
Inc integrity of the nation and its
very existence may depend upon what
is done at this time. The people have
further debate or reasons for necessity
Tor such action.
we may not solve our problem by
elther a regular standing army or at
tempting use of the militia"
Against Swiss or Australian Plans.
regarding invoking the Swiss or AUS
tralian universal training system, Gar.
rison said:
Nelther Is believed pra cticable at
this time. The National Government
mas no jurisdiction over the States pub
ilc school systems. A constitutional
amendment would be required to civc
II such jurisdiction. Furthermore. If i,
not believed the people have reached
the conclusion that compulsory military
service is a necessity
Our present military force Is tot,u,.
Inadequate to our responsibilities Tho
chaos which a crisis always nrodu,o.
makes ii certain that several mamie
would intervene after outbreak or war !
pe1ore any considerable number Of VII
unteers would he ready.
There is disposition among some
f..
is not the proper view. There is con-
mon agreement that we should nave
10000 men subject to instant call
Garrison said it was impossible. and
moula De enormously expensive to :
iinaintain standing army Of that num-
ner. declaring present accommodate lions !
would care only for $1,000 additional !
7 nat the cost OF half million men
Souiu oe 4 half billion collars annual
~ is also impossible under present,
conditions to enlist more than 10000 a ,
year, Garrison explained
Defense On Citizens.
In a democracy the Nations defense.
should rest upon the citizens and not
upon professional paid force" he de-
Jared
, Federalizinc Of tho National Guard
harrison said, was impossible, because
ne Government lacks authority over the
''o.eS lllhlld Tie dlSaDDrOVed the Fed
eral militia nav bill
That the militia be given tho right
70 enter the Continental army grade
tor grade was recommended I
Ihus free discretion and choice would
le ahorded either to stay In the National
Iuard. which will be conserved and
,ullt up on an even more liberal scale
nan at present. or enter the Continental
army without any loss of rank" Gar
'lson stated. He denied that the militia
would he injured by the Continental .
'rmy's organization.
No Trouble To Recruit.
Recruiting of the Continental army
rom private military schools and high
chools can be expected. Garrison pre- .
lcted. That all United States military
xperts were united in indorsing the
Continental army plan was asserted .
There Is absolutely nothing new in .
his suggestion" said Garrison 1T is .
merely system of Federal volunteers L.
aised. organized. equipped and trained :
n times of peace. /.
The occasion calls for wise sem Z.
ible, adequate military policy on per- ;
nanent lines and for definite ends. {
If compulsory service is now desired
or the country, then short provision ,
n the act will accomplish IT,
"A small. highly trained. highly ef- !
haraCter, Federal volunteers. raised, :.
fdcered, and trained in time of peace
nd the national guard for State uses =
the best solution.
IT think II Is our imperative duty TO :,
ustify the expectations of the people {
n this great subject" :,