New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-03-07
Popgun Preparedness.

proposals OF the corresponding IoiiiHii'O'N
IN the House Of Representatives. MI
Chamberlain, Of Oregon, the chairman OF
Tho cers+a Committee. has never been tied
down 70 tradition. He is Democrat OF
progressive tendencies and OF marked III
dependence of character. He knows how
inadequately the Pacific Coast IS defended
and how necessary is an increase In the
regular establishment, If the Coasts safety
is TO be assured.
On the other hand, Mr.. Hay, the chair
man of the House Committee, is welded 70
the ancient decisions of non-preparedness.
He bss ALWAYS been opposed to modern
ling the army. In his first term as chair
man he espoused the cause OF AdJutant
General Ainsworth and tried TO cripple the
General Staff. He has fought valiantly for
the old order in the army. He was thorn
in the flesh TO Secretary Stimson and 70
Secretary Garrison. He virtually drove
the latter out of Office when he persuaded
President Wilson 10 discard the Garrison
continental army scheme.
This is the man who is now Mr.. Wilson IS
chief adviser on military reorganization
They both want paper army. not real
army. Both are against any increase IN
the regular establishment which will make
Il what it ought to beat once SUFFICIENT
first line of defence and practical train
ing school in which officers Of the higher
grades can learn something about hand
ling troops under the conditions winch
prevail in modern warfare.
In his speech to Congress on December
last President Wilson recommended IN
creasing the enlisted strength of the regu-
lar army from 1856 TO 134,707. In these
totals, of course, II 900 to 10000 non-com-
batapts are included. This increase, the
President said, would be Sufficient The
House Committee on Military Affairs, I'M
der Mr.. Hays guidance, has reported a
bill embodying Mr.. Wilson's suggestions,
81 far as the enlargement of the regular
establishment is concerned, although
throwing overheard the continental army
scheme. But that increase is pitifully in
ADEQUATE. Ii would leave the regular army
still toy army.
The trainers Of the Senate bill admit
the insufficiency Of the reinforcement Of
the regular army which the President and
the House Committee hold to be ''sufi-
Gent" The Senate's measure increases
the enlisted strength of the army 20
78,OOO-165,O 900, if the non-combatants of
the Quartermaster' Corps and the Medical
Department are not counted.
This is something gained. The Senate
Committee creates the appearance Of
larger gain by providing that the organi-
cations containing 10000 men on peace
footing may be expanded TO contain 3d.
900 on war footing. But this skeleton
izing Of the standing army in time of peace
Is iust the fault which every rational
scheme Of reorganization aims TO overcome.
II the army units are kept below strength
it will be impossible TO organize the troops
into divisions of normal size, and neither
the troops nor their officers can become
accustomed to conditions as they exist IN
time of war.
The War College section of the General
Staff has estimated at 100000 the mini
mum force needed TO form first line
of defence in peace time and TO furnish
the full divisions required for purposes of
military training. Why, then, potter around
with increases Of 81, 1000 or $4,000, when an
increase of 100000 is the only possible
solution, II the country is TO attain real
preparedness, instead Of only little larger
measure Of sham preparedness?
We have dwelt on the provisions for en-
larging the regular army for the reason
that the size of the regular army in peace
Is the key 90 the whole problem. The
regular establishment is the base OF the
entire military structure. 1t IL of minor
importance what second line and third line
formations Congress may create. They
would be of little value If the first line
organization were inadequate and could
not absorb the half-trained reserve mate
rial offered 1t.
The House bill aims at Undertaking."
the state guard organizations. The SEN
ate bill adds 20 the federalized guard a
separate volunteer force organized exclu-
sively under Federal auspices. Many Of
the plans for recruiting reserve organiza-
tons and reserve officers corps contained
in the Senate measure are highly com
nendable in themselves. There IS also
legislation-in both bills--which adds 20
the governments power 10 increase its
very mcagre supply Of munitions. Repre-
sentative John O. Tlson, Of Connecticut,
speaking at the Hippodrome on Sunday
night. at the Marjorie Stcrrctt battleship
benefit. called attention % the present
- IL. - LII. IL r-nna and LnInl.