The Leader, enterprise and press. (Fitzgerald, Ga.) 1915-1921, 1917-02-26
WOULD TRAIN FORCE
OF 100000 MEN

Washington, d. c., Feb. 23.-The
army general staff universal service
| bill was transmitted to the Senate mil
itary committee today by Secretary
| Baker without definite expression
by the administration either on the
| general subject or the specific propos-
al.
The Secretary suggested that wide
publicity be given the staff plan ito
the end that both Congress and the
war Department can have the benefit
OF an enlightened, thoughtful public
opinion upon the needs and wishes of
the country"
In round numbers, the staff plan
would supply trained force of 4,000,-
000 men with one year of intensive
military instruction. 1t is estimated
by the war college that approximately
100000 boys in their nineteenth year
would be available for training an
nually. They would be liable to call
to colors until % years of age, passing
after,the first eleven months of train
ms OF the first reserve for the next
lour years and one month, then to
The second reserve, and finally into
the unorganized reserve until they
reached the age of forty-hve
The purpose of the bill is con
The purpose of the bill is to con-
stitute first reserve with strength
OF 100000 ready to respond instantly
to call OF arms. The second reserve
OF equal size, would require some time
to take the field Eventually there
would be 100000 additional trained
men ready to fill in g7ps at the front.
In addition to these forces, there
would be regular army, composed of
men choosing military life as a pro-
fession, OF, 24,400 officers and 285,S86
enlisted men. OF these, $4,000 would
form the overseas forces and 10000
the frontier forces, the remainder
composing. the permanent training
personnel which could take care of
the instruction Of from 492, 386 and to
o54,292 reserve recruits annually If
the proportion of available men for
training. force would have to be pro-
portionately increased
After enumerating the seven docu-
'ments, tables and studies included in
the exhaustive study made by the war
college and transmitted with the pro-
posed bill. Secretary Bakers letter
continues.
This plan is regarded by the mill
tary experts of the general staff as
ideal. They recognize, however, that
it, Involves not only radical depart
ure from the military traditions of the
country, but that it prevents vast
scheme or organization far larger
both in cost and results than any
thing yet seriously considered by the
people of the United States. The gen
eral staff believe the plan, however,
to have this merit. That it can be used
in part for the training of less num-
Der of men, and at a less cost in pro-
portion, SO that. should the opinion Of
the country. when thoroughly inform
ed. come to favor the principles upon
which this measure is based, its appl-
cation could be as rapid or as gradual
as the Congress may determine wise
under the circumstances.
'The question at issue in any such
project as this are to measure first.
the prospective need of the country.
and then to determine the measures
appropriate to meet it. The plan is,
therefore, to be examined from both
points of view and its discussion
throughout the country will throw
light on both questions"
In estimating the cost of mainte-
nance of the proposed army. the war
college figured that an annual mill
tary budget of. $472.258.746 would be
required to keep up the proposed
force at strength of 3.2o6023 men,
including the regulars. The total rep
resents an annual cost per man OF
$l43.28 and includes the cost of train
ing of the 475,0O0 recruits.
In comparison to this the staff says
the eventual military budget under the
present national defense act will be
$685., $4,000 to maintain partially
trained force of 826,572 national
guardsmen in addition to the regular
army, or total of 1,137,200 men at
=