New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-02-22
Likes Idea, but Won't In
dorse Army's Measure,
Says Baker
HOLDS CONFERENCE
WITH SECRETARY
Will Return War College
Plans to Committee with
Comment"
-r-nm me rrhune Rur.auL

Washington. Feb. 2l.-President vii
son and Secretary Baker within a day
or two will go on record in favor Of
the principle Of universal military
training. This, however, does not mean
that they are prepared 20 fght for
il.
Mr. Baker to-day took 20 the White
House the final draft of the Scott bill.
prepared b. the War College After
conference which lasted three
quarters Of an hour Mr. Baker said
that the bill would be- sent to the
Senate Committee on Military Affairs
within a day or two, with some ZAP
propriate comment" Of his own. This
comment will reflect the view of the
President as outlined TO Mr.. Baker
to-day.
The Secretary added that it would
be mistake 20 infer that the ad-
ministraton would indorse the bill;
that is. that he and the President
would give approval to this plan. He
left the impression, however, that
the comment" would be favorable 70
the principle underlying the measure.
Could Force Bill Through
Without urgent advocacy by the
President as an emergency measure
the bill or any other army reorgani-
zation measure cannot become law al
this session Of Congress. On the other
hand. leaders in Congress agree that
Mr. Wilson, if ne desired, could put
through the most drastic army legis-
lation before March T.
That this action will not be taken
therefore. shows clearly that Mr.. vii
son IS not an ardent supporter of army
preparedness. His attitude toward this
question IS much the same as toward
suffrage He favors 1t, but he does not
fight for il. and he knows that unless
he does fight for il il has not chance.
In indorsing the principle of univer-
sal training Mr.. Wilson will make
friends among preparedness advocates
Army officers already are lubllant BY
falling 20 make mis- advocacy effective
on the other hand, he avoids angering
the pacHsts.
The Scott bill was prepared By re-
quest Of the Senate Subcommittee on
Universal Training. Il provides for
the registration of all youths attaining
the age of nineteen every year. and the
selection on the basis of physical tests
alone Of those fit for military service.
These men are TO be trained for one
year with the colors and then fur
Laughed into the reserve.
Ii IS assumed that the system would
produce about 10000 trained men
year, allowing more than 80 per cent
of reflections because Of physical un-
fitness. After il had been in operation
SIX years, therefore the country would
have the 100000 trained men which
General Scott testified were essential
to the thorough defence Of the country.
Provides for Reserve Supplies
Along with the training of personnel
the bill provides for the accumulation
of reserve supply of ammunition and
for the manufacture of equi pment. the
total annual cost is estimated AZ about
81 900 100000. or slightly more than
twice the amount necessary 20 fulfil
the provision Of the Hay army reor-
gsnization law The fact that the ap
preparations included in this years
army law are only slightly over $780,
00G 600 is due solely TO the failure OF
the Hay law 70 produce the army which
il authorized.
As officers Of the General staff have
pointed out. the difference between the
Hav law and the Scott bill cannot be
measured in dollars. The Scott bill
aims 20 produce thoroughly adequate
defence. If $1,000 900 600 is spent in
accordance with that plan. the country
will have $1,000. 100000 worth. The Hay
law provides virtually no preparedness
az all, and the gigantic appropriations
for il are therefore almost as good "a
thrown away.
The Scott bill is all preparedness;
tho Hav law is more than 30 per cent
pork
There is no chance that IN any CIR
c,.nstances the country would accept
the army staff bill in toto. There viii
L.va % no cOmDrOmLses