Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-12-19
Reliable System

1T would be Democratic" General
Scott said of universal liability, be
cause the burden of national defense
would fall equally upon all citizens. 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 reliable because it
would produce each year the number
of men necessary to be trained. 1t
would be economical because it would
be based upon recognition by the peo-
pie of the duty of the individual to
render personal service and in carry
ing it into effect the government would
not have to compete in the labor mar
ket. 1t would be efficient because it
would enable us to prepare adequately
for war bfore war CONS
Lessons of Mexican Crisis
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.
1.-The failure should make the whole
people realize that the volunteer sys-
tenn does not and probably will not
peace or for service in war;" said he.
Reviewing the intensive training which
European and other nations require, he
declared that if American troops ever
were to compete with highly trained
and splendidly disciplined forces they
would require training and discipline
at least equal to that of their oppo-
nents.
The lessons of the European war,
the general said, had demonstrated
that higher standard of training and
discipline were required than was pop
ularly considered necessary before and
that most of the European nations for
that reason found they could not de-
velop them in less than two years with
the colors.
1T should be obvious" said he, that
1872 hours training prescribed for the
national guard is utterly inadequate to
prepare this force for war service"
The Men Needed
For war with a first class power the
general staff had previously estimated
that 10000 fully equipped troops shoull
be ready at the outbreak and that 10000
more should be available in 30 days. In
view Of the lessons of the war the gen
eral was now of the opinion that these
numbers should be tripled and that Loo
600 fully equipped and ready troops should
be available with another 100000 to fol-
low In 80 days.
This is DUE" said he Ito the fact tina,
one of the powers in volved in the war
and whose territory extends the whole
length of our northern frontier has in
creased it's army from relativel'' small
force to a strength approximating that OF
the other great European powers. Due to
the fact that our northern neighbor is
largely an island empire. a great portion
of any trained force it may possess can
be spared for use in distant theatre Of
operations because the control of the sea
gives It practical immunity for invasion
where troops would have to be trans
ported across the sea.
A Powerful Alliance
'It should be pointed out also that our
northern neighbor is in alliance with
powerful oriental nation-another island
empire-and for the same reason when
acting in alliance with a power which
has control of the sea has ability to send
its army of 2,225.0oO men ITO any part of
the world without danger of invasion.
II think a mere statement Of these facts
makes it clear that at present we are
defenceless before the veter-
an armies Of our northern neighbors ana
could easily be crushed by the existing
coalition Of the island empires.
IT have said enough. by way Of illus
tration only. to make II clear that if we
are menanced by one of these powers
alone, having lost control Of the sea. we
should need more troops for defensive
purposes than have entered into the pop
Mar conception Of our military prob
ems heretofore.