The Monte Vista journal., 1916-04-01
0nSE PASSES FIRST BILL FOR "NATlONAI,
EFENsE". PROVlDESFOR ARMY OF 100000

Il say to you that the rcd-blooded
men OF this country do not demand
this big military establishment. IAN
plause) The rcd-blooded men of this
country fear no enemy, and do not
ask that their fellow citizens NAV
be burdened with taxation in order
that men in the Regular Army may
be jumped from corporal to major
general. (Applause) 1t is only a few
people who are putting their money
to sending kilograms to you and
me to beat us down and compel us to
put this burden upon the people
Fellow members of the House, in
sod's name, do not be carried away
by hysteria, but be calm, deliberate.
resolute, as statesmen should be.
(Applause).
Not An Extreme Measure
The bill will not meet with the
approval of tho extreme militarists,
but they would be satisfied with
nothing less than standing army of
half million men and compulsory
military training for all able-bodied
men. The majority of our people
are not prepared for such radical
departure from our traditional pol
icy. They wish however, to be as
sured that we arc in position to de-
fend our rights and above all to
quickly and effectually dispose of any
force which might conccivably be
landed on our shores.
The bill we have just put through
he House will do that.
1t typifies the preparedness of
Democracy" as opposed to the "pre-
paredness of Imperialism.
Briefly, the bill provides that in
time of peace we will have standing
army of about 10000 men and Off
GERS. This force is to be so organ
lied that at the first sign of trouble
it can be expanded to more than
100000 men. This army will con-
stitute the FIRST line of defense"
In reserve will be a well-trained.
well-equipped militia of about 400,
900 men and a constantly increasing
reserve of men discharged from the
regular army and the National
Guard.
1t is safe to say, therefore, that
under the provisions of the bill more
than million trained men would be
available for the defense of the ma
ton should we find ourselves at war
with first-class power.
Uncle Sans Fighting Strength
The Committee which prepared
the. bill made most reassuring
statement concerning the ability of
the country to defend its interests at
this moment should war develop for
any reason.
After quoting the adjutant general
of the army as authority for the
statement that there were million
men in the country who had received
military training, and who were still
young enough to render military ser
vice, the Committee presents the fol-
lowing facts concerning material
available:
Gen. Crozier, Chief of Ordnance,
states that We have on hand nearly
enough equipment to equip an army
of between 100000 and 100000
men. He also stated that there were
on hand 100000 service rifles of the
new model, and between 100000 and
100000 Krags. Also 200,OOO,OOO
rounds of small-arms ammunition, or
300 rounds per man. There are also
built and under construction LOTT
machine guns, and 900 Field Artil-
lery guns. We had on hand 10000
rounds of Field Artillery ammuni-
ton.
Gen. Aleshire, the Quartermaster
General of the Army, states that
there is on hand now equipment
enough to supply the Regular Army
the National Guard, and 25O,Ooo
men in addition, and that in 80 days
there could easily be provided equip
ment for from 100000 to 700,ooo
men, with sufficient deliveries 10
maintain those who are now or may
be equipped.