Weekly journal-miner., 1916-01-12
UNIVERSAL MILITARY TRAINING IS URGED
 BY ARMY LEAGUE


 WASHINGTON, Jan. ,. - The Army League of the United States has decided that universal military training of men from IS to 2l years cid IS the only true solution of tie question as to the method of raising a force of citizen soldiers other than the organized militia. The executive council has passed a resolution em- bodying this policy, and recommend ing general plan which avoids the demand for a large standing army and disposes of the bggaboo of militarism in moderate and reasonable increase of the regular army. The plan is gen. orally conservative and in line with the various recommendations both of the Secretary of War and the General Staff. The method of obtaining the necessary men for the citizen army constitutes the principal difference and this question is believed to be fundamental.
 A careful study of expert opinion would appear to require. for the de fense of our overseas possessions, regular army of at least 5000 men. Such a force when divided between the Panama Canal Zone, Alaska. the Philippines, Hawaiian islands, Porto Rico and other navy bases. could hardly be considered excessive even by the extreme little army men,"
 The regular army at home would consist of the coast artillery of enc relief. and the mobile force (i. C. cavalry, artillery. infantry and special troops) skclctonized to train the citi- zen soldiers and. for that purpose, distributed in number of division districts. Every branch of the mobile army constituting division would be included in each of these units. About 700 regulars would be included in each district. A complete division would he built up in three years by enlisting each year about 1000 young men IS years old in each district. Twenty five divisional districts would then supply force of 5OO.OO0
 For the last three years of the six year enlistment these troops would pass into the reserve. subject to call by the president and then be given full discharge. Thus there would be always 500O0O of the reserve. This would mean the training and cost of l67,C00 men each year with the colors and in the schools. These men should receive army pay for that number of men the first year. two weeks the second and third years, or thirteen months in ali. The plan of the secre- tary of war calls for pay two months year for three years or six months in all; therefore the cost of the pro- posed scheme will be a little more than double that of the secretary.
 It Is hoped that a sufficient number would volunteer for active service; but failing that the quota required would be filed from the enrolled list in each district.
 The organized militia would not be interferred with in any way. On the contrary. as it is proposed to exempt men in that service. young men would practically have choice of service in that body or the proposed continental army.
 The legislation required is entirely within the constitutional power of congress, since 1t avoids many ques- tionable provisions which lay some of the other plans open to criticism. Financially. likewise, this plan avoid, excessive outlay. The cost would not equal tne general staff plan, but would be somewhat in excess of that pro posed by the secretary of war.
 The executive council has sought the best military advice obtainable and formulated this plan after careful study and counsel from prominent civilians well versed in the relations of employer and employe. who apprc- ciate the impossibility of securing vol untary service for two months each year for three years.