Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1917-03-07
CALLING OUT A MILLION.

NJ least q million men, does not strike the average
American citizen as undertaking of any magn
tude, especially when enthusiasm is running
high. The statement has been made by one of the
countFy's best known men-Bryan-that the sun,
rising on a call issued 10 defend the nation, would
set on a million men ready and willing to answer
the call. ...
several months ago when conditions south
erp border became intolerable President Wilson sent
out call for 10000 men, and at the end of the first
three weeks the recruiting officers reported hut
quarter Of that number, which is evidence of shy
ness in joining the army when actual duty is in
sight, even such spectacular service might be e1
pected in the land of the cacti. 5."~.
Putting aside for the moment all legislation that
has been enacted and discarded regarding the Unit,
ed States, standing army of million men, let us
analyze the prospective outcome Of sudden call for
million fighting men. The call for this number of
men would mot come until war had actually been
declared, TO protect coasts and borders from
invasion by an enemy. Mobilization before such
declaration invasion would be Immediately con-
strued as hostile act 1t was this same act. per.
formed before war was declared that precipitated
the struggle in Europe.
Surprising that the call has been made for mil
lion men, the reason being iustifabIe and the need
for the couatry's safety pressing, what then?
Ghe first inoye would be to get the men; one mil
size and strength of the present fighting land forces
Of the United States. Allowing that the men were
recruited then comes organization, then training,
the equipment. This latter condition is a problem
10 be reckoned With Following is partial list of
articles Of equipment, not only essential but neces
sary to place million men in fighting trim, as fig
ured out by the war department;
Seven hundred and fifty thousand rifles and
bayonets for them to fight with.
Two hundred and sixty.fye thousand pistols.
Eight Thousand machine guns.
Two thousand one hundred field guns to bat
ter down attack
One hundred and sxty-five million cartridges
to carry them into their first fight, and as many
more for each succeeding fight
Two million five hundred thousand shells and i
shrapnel for our field guns for every hour they
are In action.
One hundred and ninety-six thousand horses
to carry thom and pull their carriages
One hundred and twenty-seven thousand
mules to haul their supplies and pack their
guns.
Eight Thousand wagons to transport their
supplieshR aaymunition.
One million astridge belts for their ammuni-
ton.
One million fra t.aid packets to bind up their
wounds.
Each Of them mus have uniform and equip.
nlent
One million sheltAr halves to protect them
from the weather
One million pouches to keep them dry.
TwomilIion blanketA to keep them warm.
Tv6imillion pairs Of sshoes
Two million uniform G ats, brooches, eggings,
suits Of underwear
One million hats
Two million shirts.
Four million pairs Of SOCKS.
&One million haversacks to carry their equip
ment
an army Of million newly made soldiers woud,i
il Il figured out, be in need and very much in need
Of the guiding hands, brains and experience of about
1900 proficient officers How near that number
can we come in furnishing officers to take command
Of million men! This Is the largest problem. We
might buy all other paraphernalia of war but we
cannot buy ready-made officers.
II invasion should take place in the near future, /
the brunt OF the attack would have to be borne by
few thousand "regularsD until such time as rein
forcements Of near.soldiers minus uniforms, and
would stand poor chance against army of train
ed Invaders Men Of few weeks instruction would
be thrown intonthe field with the expectation that
they would accomplish what officers Of years Of
training would have grave doubts about attempting.
Ce1sas experts make the emphatic statement that /
ne Il s. has over IL 0000 600 of military age sti
4 would be considered extremely good work to raise
an army Of million men in one year, and perfect
them in the tactics of war to an extent that they
could be sent into the field as soldiers worthy of