The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-01-18

arc not to DO constantly trained In the
regular army and how long and by what
method such forces shall DO traine {:
what shall he the distribution of troops
among the various arms Of the service I.
how officers shall be procured and
trained. and all other details are u b
sidiary questions hat must be left for
future consideration until the one great
vital question Is settled AS to whether
we are to have a real military system
or a sham one.
The newspapers have insisted that
the people should take their direction
In this matter from those whose educa-
ton along military lines made them the
best advisers. While there Is undoubt-
eddy disagreement among such military
experts as to the particular numbers
and distribution among the arms of the
service, there Is no disagreement what
ever upon the essential principle that
whatever troops the nation has should
be national troops. All Views that we
have from military sources agree that
outside OF an addition to whatever e
ular standing army we have We must
have organized Federal troops, subjeot
to instant call.
Name IL mmateria1
The name to be given TO such supple
mentary troops is. OF course, absolutely
immaterial. Whatever they are called
they must be Federal troops. In the
particular proposal OF the war Depart
inent they are called Continental Army.
The military experts IN the War College
division OF the General staff Corps have
agreed upon the essential elements. The
policy proposed by the Wal Department
ana recommended to Congress by the
President Is absolutely based upon the
recommendations OF military experts OF
the highest character.
IF the people want It.. and will keep
after it--as they always do after any
th>ng that they really want-they will
get It, II. however. they satisfy them
selves with having once reached the
point OF demanding II and hen turning
aside 10 other matters and permitting
themselves to be diverted from the main
issue. then they will not only not get what
they demanded, but will find that their
opponents have fastened upon them q
military system absolutely ineffective
ana dangerous, which will make II dini-
cult. If not impossible. to get the neces-
sary thing at a later period. II the
people wish wise precautions to he taken
properly In their behalf they must insis,
n insist and continue TO insist.
Remember that this question IL no,
N'N' VI Nv pbbIIN press. III IL not Set-
tied In public meetings. It is not set
tied by what one citizen says to the
other in social converse. II Is settled
In the halls OF Congress. and by those
TO whom the people have confided the
power to settle IT,"
Very hearty applause followed the
Secretary's address and then Mr.. Warren
presented Gen. Wood.
Cites War NJ 1910
II don't suppose tho obligations oi
citizenship In "a military sense will eve
be understood In this country until w
understand the military history NJ this
country said the General. "The mill.
tia, acting under many different kinds
OF authority. has always failed u. IN
time OF need. 1t cannot be depended
upon now, as the .ecretary has Just told
you. The volunteer system has always
failed us. failed us In every wal W.
were ever engaged in withou, exception
Washington knew this better than ar,
man n tried in 1890 to put through
a plan for general military training
Il did not GO through ana the result
was the wholly dlsCrcditable War o
lsl2. when We sent J21,u00 men into ~,
field to fight $1,000 British. only th,
navy, under Federal control, saved US II
that war.
W carried the Mexican War through
very successfully because we had very
few of the militia in Il. The civ!l wal
system OF volunteering was "A failur,
IN the North and the discreditable anc
~undemocratic plan Of CONSUMPTION ant
bounties had to be resorted to. on IN,
other hand. the southern States Tough
as "A centralized power and managed I,
prolong the struggle for four years.
The militia must be "A Federal fore.
body and soul, II | may use So stronl
IA term. There must be no question o
! State control. And that's what the hes
officers Of the militia want-Federa
control"
Gen. Wood spoke Of the great need 10
trained officers, asking the bankers /
they realized hat there were 1900
officers In the Union armies and 65. 900 II
the Southern armies.
Every country except China and tn
United States has a highly perfected mill
tary system" continued the General. 81
We would be safe. obligatory training 70
men between 81 and 40. say. is irnpera
tive. The United States has never we
met a first class Power with traine
troops. That's exactly what We mus
figure on-not these little side war Skin
mishes which nobody really think
about"
Dwight W. Morrow OF J. r. Morxan
Co. earnestly combated the notion tina
the ruin OF Europe would make for IN
prosperity OF the United States.
when we speak OF "A Europe crushed.
said Mr.. Morrow, ARE We not forgctiin
that when this war is over characte
and capacity and skill in ursanizatio
will furnish a true basis OF credit. cal
Ing forth the domestic supplies OF capiti
that remain and inviting foreign capital
with what spirit will the people ,
America approach the new era? Can "
keep easy prosperity from dulling III
fine edge of endeavor? Can we acquir,
without paying the great price OF wa,
ring nations. the unity which the fires {
war are burning into the peoples abroad
viii Ne have the unity and courage I
do our part In bringing the world a It'll
nearer TO "A Dependable information;
guarantee Of the territorial and polite;
integrity OF all nations. great or small? p