American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1916-08-17
MEN AND THE ARMS.


In his speech of acceptance MIR.
Hughes spoke of the pleasant illusion
which the public is enjoying with re-
gard to the immediate increase of the
army under tie Army Organization
Bill. The country has been led to
believe that the regular forces VIII
be increased to 17S.000 men, or there
abouts, while the truth Is shat they
cannot amount to more than 105. .000--
scarcely enough to patrol the Rio
Grande and protect our people near the
border against occasional gusts of III
temper on the part of our great and
powerful friend, General Carranza.
But Mr.. Hughes did not touch on a
still more important point in the
breakdown of the military program.
Undoubtedly, In the event OF war, we
could call out a million men and they
might be taught to keep step, stick
out their chins. and salute their OFF,
GERS In very little while. But the
purpose OF an army, coarse and COM
nlonplace as It may seem. is to de-
stroy or injure the enemy. and the
question Is, when these valiant patriots
respond, how is the government to arm
them 80 that they can iRflict the
greatest amount of damage on the
foe with the least possible risk TO
themselves? That In every war, is
the whole problem. We krow, and
have known since August !, 1914, that
war nowadays comes on with the sud
denness OF a summer thundershower.
we also know from the experiences OF
Great Britain and France with the
manufacturers of this country thatSit
takes months and even years to ac-
cumulate guns and shells In sufficient
quantities and of the right quality;
and 1t is perfectly clear that brigade
of trained soldiers aided by modern
| field artillery could destroy or rout a
million men, or five million, carrying
such romantic relics OF ancient war
fare as the government might be able
to provide out OF Its collection OF an
tiques.
While Mr.. Garrison was secretary
of war a board of officers was ap-
pointed ito consider questions con-
corning the types OF field guns and
ammunition" The present admins
tration has been most praiseworthy in
seeking the best expert opinion In
military matters. II looks for no ad-
vice that isn't given with the highest
authority II spends layishly In time
and money to learn what the keenest
trained minds can suggest; and when
It has received all that professional
skill and experience has to offer, II
lays II away In pigeonhole and Of.
fers a substitute plan, originating nc
one knows where and having for III
object no one knows what
Az a result OF long deliberation and
investigation, the board recommends
the expenditure OF S441, 100000 fol
field artillery and ammunition. Thii
is a lot Of money. but the reader mus
understand the guns and ammunition
are not for immediate use. The mon
: ey would be spent TO accumulate re
serve to be kept on hand In times o
7 peace FOR use In time OF war. Tb'
! material might never be used at all
Dul ~ WOuiu DS a. way tuSEV fCod.
) for the emergency. II Is Obvious tina
I the material on hand at the rbeginninl
OF the war would probsbly be the on
lly material that woaid count. We can
not draw such. things out OF con
jurer's hat In the course OF a yea
: or two OF unmolested manufacture o.
1 steel makers. pnvate and pub
i could turn out plenty Of guns and
e munition. But what would tn II,
}. err fellow be doing all this tim
J. his raidfng parties and his a. f"' 3
: and dirigibIes to make the
e guns the most precariou7
\. in the world?
J. The Treat report
p more than a year az
d the last heard OF
y WV" .na 'a %. and
~ - 1t BY I
ye the departme'
aI copy ne wa
..t. Al knew Of u
COO ace of the
a, ed, Congress al
ee 10 2 Oh Una sa :.
would take just abo,
~ ccumuIate the tools
necessary at cnce h q