The Breckenridge news. (Cloverport, Ky.) 1876-1955, 1916-02-09
WOOOSAYS NATION
IS OPEN TO ATTACK
Major General Warmly FaVOrS
Compulsory Service.

NEED ARMY Of 21O. 600 men
Urges officer Reserve Of $4,000 to Lead
100000 Troops In Case of War.
Points Out How Enemy Could Attack
New York While Out of Range Of
Our Coast Defense Guns.
Legislators are still discussing the
graphic recital Of Major General Leon
ard Wood concerning the state Of UNI
preparedness Of the country before the
senate military affairs committee.
The United States is woefully weak
in war material. as well as men, he
said. He pointed out that the govern
ment now possesses less than 100000
modern rifles. He asserted the United
States is without proper reserve sup
ply of ammunition
General Wood came out fatty in ia
vor of compulsory military service.
The volunteer system, he says, has
proved "a dismal failure"
Coast defenses of the United States
came i'm for severe criticism. He de-
clared dreadnauGht of the Queen
Elizabeth type could appear Off Rock
away beach, New York, safely out Of
the range of the nearest coast defense
guns. and shell New York city as far
as Seventeenth street
Urges Universal Service.
General Wood began his testimony
with discussion of the Chamberlain
bill. which provides for universal serv-
ice in the continental army and con-
siderable strengthening of the regular
forces. He said the bill was sound in
principle, but that he had recommend
ed a greater increase in infantry, artil-
lery and engineers.
He also urged that until the reserve
had been built up the regiments should
be kept at war strength of $50 men TO
a company instead Of 112 He believed
the universal service system proposed
by the Chamberlain bill absolutely es-
sential to any adequate military policy.
General Wood outlined his own views
as 10 the present needs of the regular
army. regardless of any volunteer or
compulsory short term service plan.
He urged the following, all at full war
strength:
For the Philippines. four regiments
of infantry. two Of cavalry and one
and half Of artillery; for Hawaii six
infantry. one cavalry and two field ar.
tilery: for Panama, four infantry, one
artillery and a squadron of cavalry.
Reasons For Larger Navy.
Explaining why he wanted a larger
standing army than the house bill pro-
vides, General Wood said:
"For the Continental army | would
have six complete infantry divisions.
two cavalry divisions of six regiments
each. six regiments of heavy mobile
artillery. in addition to the two regi-
ments of field artillery with each d.
vision, and enough engineers to have
q battalion with each division and
pontOon battalion with each three di-
visions. The artillery provision of two
regiments to division gives seventy
two guns to 1900 rifles. which is
about five guns Il thousand rifles. rath-
er less than the European standard.
"The total makes about 10000 men.
not including officers. but including
auXilarieS In the United States you
would have about 10000 infantry and
1900 cavalry.
20 M
side Of the United States 10 per cent
above the full war strength and give
them a full years supply of munitions.
In case of war, if we lost control Of
the sea-and there is no reason why
we should not expect to-they would
have TO fight on what strength they
had"
He then pointed out the need of a
trained reserve. making light of many
of the objections which have been Of
fered by Secretary Garrison and others
to the plan. on this point he said:
For New Enlistment Act.
"The chief need in building up re-
serve is Il new enlistment act. ! do not
believe the length of service makes
much difference if you abolish the pres
ent right to purchase discharge and
permit voluntary transfer of man to
the reserve when his commanding Off
Ger certihes that he has become thor
oughly trained soldier.
81 would pay the reservist about $50
a year, and that would help us to keep
track of him. But | do not believe we
should have much trouble with that.
/ believe our men would play the game.
The seaports are full today of reserv-
lists from European armies, entirely be-
You'd the reach of their own laws, who
are yet making every effort to get back
home and do their service. If our peo-
pie are not going to do that then, O.
course, we are gone anyway"
Smallest Couple Married.
The combined weight Of couple
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