Omaha daily bee., 1916-03-11
ARMY BILL STEP IN
d RIGHT DIRECTION
Ibmberlain Bill in Senate First
Sincere Effort Congress Has
Made for Better Army.
HOUSE IGNORES WAR COLLEGE

special From staff Correspondent)
WASHINGTON, u. c., March 10-The
chamberlain army bill or rather the
senate military affairs army bill is looked
upon by army officials hereabouts as the
most constructive measure for the army
that has been presented in a quarter of
9 century.
The assertion of a portion of the daily
press that the senate bill in its present
FORM creates a large army will provoke
a smile among the military authorities
Of the larger powers For instance, what
will japan think Of the program OF the
senate committee which gives this coun-
try at the end of five years seven dvi-
zi0ns. with a total strength of about
NseO.
pan, according to the latest reports.
now an active or regular army OF
nty-five divisions, with a strength Of
apout S5O,000. This is composed of 100
regiments Of infantry at war strength
with twenty-five regiments
At peace strength. as provided In the
senate bill at the end of five years. Japan
has thirty-three regiments of cavalry, as
compsred with twenty-five in the senate
bill; 1856 batteries of field artillery, as
compared with 126. and a correspondingly
greater strength of other auxiliary troops
IN it's active or regular army.
Two Milton Reserve.
But this is the smallest part of Japan's
war strength. Back OF its regular or ac-
I've army it has a reserve of about 2,OOO,-
20 men with regular army training of
not less than two years. Congress and
he senate committee is discussing plans
tor about 10000 national guardsmen and
volunteers, with few months training.
In shaping her diplomatic policy Japan
will not take into consideration what this
country thinks it has in the way of an
army, but really what it has. Japan will
compare its forces with the trained
troops of the United States in making
Demands upon this country
The same process of reasoning will be
Employed by other countries in shaping
by demands they may decide to make
Won the United States at the close of
the European war
Simply n Step.
Ttts is not said in criticism Of the gem
VI character of the senate bill The
senate bill is the first sincere effort that
congress has made to give the country a
well balanced army. 1t places our mill
tary policy on a sound basis, but does
not give II large regular army or pro-
vide means for creating an adequate
force of trained soldiers. 1t is simply
step in the right direction.
The senate bill goes the limit in an ef-
fort to secure trained citizen soldiers by
the volunteer system. It authorizes the
president to maintain volunteer organi-
cations with terms of enlistment which
will suit any class of people or any local
condition of the country. II the people
do not respond voluntarily TO the cali
under the Chamberlain bill, It will be
clearly demonstrated that trained citizen
soldiers cannot be obtained unless this
country adopts the swiss, Australian, or
some other compulsory military training
ksystefn. II
As far as the regular army or first
line troops go. the house bill is a con-
tinuation of the old piece-meal system OF
legislation which has been the weakness
Of the country's military policy. No at
tempt is made to accept the recommen-
dations Of the war college and the un-
military organization that is provided for
In the bill is even more objectionable than
the small increase for which It calls.
Difference Between Bills.
The senate and house bills provide Or
ganizations as follows: