New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-03-18

effective until about three years after
the passage Of the bill.
"fr Hav estimates that there ere
oq5 100 men who have had military
training and are now in the country.
This estimated number includes 2iO,1CO
men who have passed through the reg
ular army in the last ten years, os5'of0
men who passed through the national
guard. and 100000 men VINO nave
PASSED through military schools and
colleges in the same period. NO Ie-
duction is made for those who nave
died or become unfit for service.
From the annual reports OF the cd
iutant general we find that curing the
last ten years there have been dls-
charged from the army SO 644 men, who
aid not reenlist. If we estimate the
number Of these who have probably
died or become physically unfit for &C.
vice at per cent year or o'o4o' We
would have remaining So. 1876, instead Of
270, 200. as estimated by MI. Hay. These
50 796 men may be considered as having
been adequately trained at date Of dis
charge. but subsequent changes IN
methods, armament, etc, and the long
separation Of many Of them from all
connection with matters military make
II unsafe 10 consider them as edo-
ouately trained, except with respect 70
discipline. Three months intensive
training probably would render them
effective.
Guard Not Adequately Trained.
at is believed that Mr. Hays esti-
mate OF the number Of men who have
passed through the national guard IS
substantially correct, but none OF theSe
men were really trained when DIS
charged, and about two-thlrds OF them
were discharged before expiration OF
term Of enlistment. when they had re-
ceived training ranging from that I'M
parted In one day 10 that possible in
nearly completed enlistment period.
Although last year some $4,000 stu
dents Of our military schools and col
leges were receiving military instruc-
tion. only $500 Of this number were
graduated Using the latter figure for
computing the number who have passed
through military schools and colleges
during the last ten years, we obtain a
total OF $1,000. instead Of 100000 esti-
mated by Mr. Hay. The records OF the
War College division show that as a
matter Of fact only about 10000 have
graduated during the last ten yeate
from civil educational institutions or
all classes at which officers OF the
army were detailed.
Until three years ago military train
ing in these institutions consisted nj
most entirely of close order drill and
ceremonies. Consequently, none Of
these 10000 graduates are adequately
trained. The class which will graduate
In 1917 will have received much more
adeouate rOurse Of training
"The only adequately trained men IN
the country are IN the regular army
and army reserve. The national guard,
those who have served therein, and the
graduates Of educational Institutions
having militery training should be con-
sidered as only partially trained. The
numbers OF each are as follows:
Adequately Trained.
Regular army. including Philip
pine Scouts ................lO o1OVO
Regular army reserve .......... L,'OO
Partially Trained.
National guard ................l29 10000
Others who have had some
training OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES SOU
Total ................... .... 4f3'fO0
Included under the heading others
who have had some training are g.
796 who have passed through the regu-
lar army: about 10000. less 2 per
cent per annum allowance for deaths
or physical disability, or about l2l 200,
who have completed an enlistment IA
the national guard. and 10000, less
per cent per annum allowance for
deaths or physical disability. or about
1880. who have graduated IN the last
ten years from military schools and
colleges.
Unknown TO Government.
Except for about 100 graduates Of
military schools who have been listed
by the adjutant general, the govern
ment has no knowledge OF the present
addresses Of any of these 24l 800 men
or Of the number Of them that would
be willing TO volunteer for service in
time Of war.
"Ihe passage Of the House army bill
would increase the regular army by
10000 men in a period 81 three 10 four
years, would make net increase Of
the regular army reserve by about
5000 men In a period Of about seven
years, and would also increase the na.
uonal guard, md therefore the number
~ partially trained men available I'M
The country, but 20 just what extent
an unable 90 predict
you will, Of course, understand that
accurate Information on this subject 10
not available, and that therefore the
fgures,i am giving you hrs At best only
approx safe