New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-03-22
Experts Estimate 100000
Volunteers Should Be
Called for Training
Many Supplies Lacking
Large Appropriations Must
Be Made to Increase
Munitions

IFrom Tie Tribune Rureanl


Washington, March 21.-The new
Congress, in the opinion of military
experts, should provide at least for an
army of 100000 men. Supplies for
such an army, not to keep it going, but
merely to equip it in the first instance
against the time of actual warfare, will
require enormous appropriations, TAX
ing the report of the famous Treat
Board to Secretary Of War Garrison,
as basis. in discussing the numbey
Of men as 100000 the experts are
figuring on Increasing the regular army
to 100000 men, the National Guard to
an equal number, and calling for $780,
600 volunteers.
The Treat Board recommended, for
instance, the accumulation of field ar
tillery 10 the amount of Sl54, $40,
and field artillery ammunition to the
amount Of Sl70000,000 in order to pro
vide a sufficient sunn'v until the United
States could manufacture more in case
war should bIcan Out. IhIs amount of
money, at the time OF the report "a II
tie more than year ago. would be 97S
iring batteries and l16 ammunition
batteries.
VII january - secretary OF w ar
| Baker admitted that 1891 firing bat
tories had been completed and. in adj
dition, there had been authorized by
Congress and appropriated for 1903
firing batteries and II ammunition bat
teries.
Ammunition Supply Low
OF the $17O,000,O0O worth of field ar
tillery ammunition recommended by the
| Treat board, on that date Mr.. Baker
admitted that only $10,2S9, 300 worth
had been completed, and S22,S60, 200
worth more authorized.
The Treat board recommended that
for an army of 100000 men there
should be 1928 machine guns, which
would cost approximately sac .694,45O.
OF this, Mr.. Baker said, 1925 ma
chine guns were on hand. "serviceable.
although not of the adopted tyne.
These will be replaced by adopted types
as soon as practical"
There are not quite half as many
rifles as were recommended on hand.
Mr. Baker said of the 100000 recon -
mended, there were $4,000 completed
and 10000 additional rifles authorized.
These instances are characteristic, il
- declared. Proportionate advances in
the appropriations Tor other eQulDmpu Z
VIII have TO be made.
While there is no immediate pros
pect that the army will be called upon
for active service in case of war with
Germany, it is believed that President
Wilson will recognize the possibility
of this development when he addresses
Congress.
The volunteer army of 500. 900 is
r.la
tually would be an army of 5000 900
and would be assembled in training
camps.
At the War Department to-day in
quiries concerning preparations were
met with the statement that the army
and national guard were ready within
the limits imposed upon them by Con-
gress. Every lesson learned from the
Border mobilization, both of guards
men and regulars, have been applied.
Distribution of administrative powers
is the departments watchword in the
interest of swift action. Departmental
commanders will have wide authority
in the event of call.
Present Army a Nucleus.
Officers realize that, facing war with
Germany, the present army can be
viewed only as the nucleus around
which can be rallied the huge force
that must be trained Their great eff
fort is to make that nucleus as eff
cient as possible.
Senator Chamberlain, chairman of
the Senate Military Committee and
staunch advocate Of universal military
training, called on Secretary Baker to-
day TO announce that he would re-
introduce at the coming session a
measure 10 that end He sought sug-
gestions as TO the form of universal
service which might meet the Secre-
tary's approval.