Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1916-02-11
Prefers Continental Army Sys-
tenn, as Advocated by tx
petS of War Department,
but Can't Get It,
STATE MILITIA LOBBY
GAINS ITS DEMANDS
Preparedness Bill for Bigger
Army to Be Along Lines De-
viSed by Officers of the Ma
ti0naI Guard.
Isr soaslne lou.nAl SPECIAL LEASED wlrsl

ICY MORNING JOURNAL SPECIAL LEASED WiREl
Washington, Feb. 0.--RepublicanS
OF the house military committee as
sured President Wilson today that a
strong army increase bill, drafted in
non-partsan spirit, and accomplish
ing all the main objects sought by
the war department plan, would be
on the house calendar within three
weeks at most. They told him, how
ever, that the committee practically
WAS unanimously opposed to the de-
partnents continental army scheme
Headed by Representative Kahn, of
California, ranking minority member
Of the committee. the republicans
called at the White House at the
presidents invitation, following Chair
man Hay and several Of his demo-
cratic colleagues who had carried the
same message to the chief executive
yesterday
Friendly Exchange Of Views.
Today's conference was later de-
scribed as a friendly exchange Of
views. The only difference of opinion
was on the question of the continen-
tai army proposed by Secretary Gar
rison as a substitute for the national
guard in the first line of defense.
while the committee opposed the sec
retary's idea. scheme was in pro-
cess Of formulation by which the
members of the national guard
could be welded into an effective in
strumcnt of national defense and
brought up to the strength believed
necessary by military experts.
Wants Prompt Action
eta l. So "a
ence Tor the continental plan. He
made no effort, however, the White
House visitors said later. to sway
them in their opinions beyond stat
ing his own belief based on that of
his military advisers that the state
troops would not serve national needs
as efficiently as the proposed purely
federal force would do. The only
urgency in the presidents remarks,
il was stated, was his plea for quick
congressional action TO put the coun-
try in a state of adequate defense,
based on a sound military policy, and
his desire that party politics be not
allowed to cloud what he considered
a vital national issue. He found his
hearers in hearty accord with him
in both desires.
Why Big Force Il Wanted.
The president is understood to have
outlined the underlying military rea-
sons on which war department Off
cials have based their request for a
force Of 400, 900 men in addition to
the regulars. always under complete
federal control. The general staff Of
the army has defined the abiding
policies Of the natnn as being the
avoidance Of entangling alliances and
the maintenance of the Monroe doc
trine now broadened by Mr.. wilson's
Pan American declaration.
May Be Needed Outside L. s.
While the presidents presentation
of the situation to his visitors was not t
disclosed, it is known that war de- F..
partment officials have in view the :
possibility that American troops I
might be needed in some southern 7
country to aid in repelling an invader, I
and that the constitutional limita-
tion of the use of the national guard t
to territorial United states hampers T
preparation for an adequate defense t
of the Pan-American doctrine III case
Of need.
Plea for Militia
Both democratic and republican
members of the military committee
take the position that the continentals
would not in any case be available FOR
use outside the country un-
der the training it would be possible to
give them in peace times. Like the
guard, they hold the conu-
ncntals would need months of addi-
tional training before they could take
the field
The committee will conclude its
hearings tomorrow morning and be-
gin at once drafting its proposal to
federalize the militia to "A large extent
and also to grant the regular army in
'reases asked by the war department.
It has no jurisdiction over coast de-