Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1916-02-01

say of legislators and the secretary OF war
and other nigh officials concur. They say that the
American people would regard compulsory service as
an infringement upon their liberty and that they are
convinced of the necessity of such step 1or
national compulsory military service,
while conceded by all to be the most pracIcaOle an"
effective STEP actively supported by anyone
There are good many congressman who would
like forces increased by giving TED
era aid the militia, thus encouraging enlistment IN
that body. This plan is supported by congressman
it would make tlem popular with the local militia
situation agreed, however. that
effective could not possibly be built up In
this way. The constitution makes it impossible TO
militia, such, under federal control
remain the control of forty-eght diff
ferent states, and thus divided would violate
the first principle of military organization which Is
centralized control The United States government
could not insure itself in any way as to the
efficiency strength of state militia. 1t could merely
subsdze these organizations and trust them to do the
rest
The remaining plan under consideration is that
which has drawn by the administration and laid
before the congressional committees by the secretary
1t been called the continental army plan'
is simply method for raising a volunteer army
in time of peace.
This plan in brief. proposes to raise 100000 voun
teers in three of $4,000 each.
The country would be divided into districts, the
present congressional districts probably being used,
and each o them would be requested to furnish its
quota If the congressional districts used
basis, each OF them would be required 10 IurnlSn
$4,000 annually These men would enlist for
three and would be furlougn for three years
During his years of enlistment, however, this
proposed would probably not more than
two months year. This period of annual service has
been suggested by the secretary of He however
states expressly details of the plan should be
left open law, to be provided by regulation Inc
essentials plan that the volunteers would
enlist in time peace and agree to serve for few
months or weeks every year until they had become
competent soldiers while for another period OF years
they would be subject to call
TT. advocates of this plan depend upon the public
on+;an+ IN favor of national preparedness to insure
enlist in this force much more readily tnan IN the
militia because continental army would be oooy
for federal defense only and could not be called upon
for noIice duty as is the militia There are about 49,
ooO men in the state militia If little more than
three times this number enlist in the connental army
the desired force will be reached
The objection this plan is that 1t does not insure
any force at There is also drawback in the fact
that it will of rival to the state militia
and that these organizations contend for
and money O detriment of both. On the other
hand provision that state and militia men may
enlist in the continental army rank
may do much obviate the latter difficulty
The advocates of the continental army plan admit
its drawbacks but that 1t is the best plan which
can he drawn in of the present state OF public
sentiment and the legal difficulties This plan, how
ever will undoubtedly foster growing nattonalism
All sections will personal share and pride IN
this new volunteer and that alone will be worth
iuions Had there been a continental army raised in
tais way in 1860 there could have been Civil
wa