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

CALLING OFT 4 MILLION.


States would mean the assembling of an army Of
at least million men, does not strike the average
American citizen as an undertaking Of any nagnl-
tude especially when our enthusiasm is running
high The statement has been made by one of the
cOuntry's best known men-Bryan--that the sun.
rising on a call issued to defend.the nation would
set on million men ready and willing TO answer
the call.
Several months ago when conditions south
ern border became intoerable President Wilson sent
out call for 10000 men, and at the end of the first
three weeks the recruiting officers reported hut one
quarter of that number, which is evidence of shy
ness in joining the army when actual duty is in
sight even such spectacular service as might be ex
pected in the land of the cacti.
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
ahalyze the prospective outcome of sudden call for
million fighting men. The call for this number of
men would not CONC until war had actually been
declared or TO protect coasts and borders from
Invasion by an enemy Mobilization before such
declaration or invasion would be Immediately con-
strued as a hostile act IL was this same act. per-
formed before war was declared, that precipitated
ihc struggle in Europe.
Surprising that the call has been made for a mil
hon men, the reason being justi6abe, and the need
for the country's safety pressing what then?
The first move would be to get the men; one mil
lion OF them; representing ten armies, each of the
size and strength Of the present fighting land forces
OF the United States. Allowing that the men were
recruited, then organization, then training,
the equipment This latter condition is a problem
to be reckoned with. Following is partial list Of
articles OF equipment, not only essential but neces
tary to place million men in fighting trim as fig.
.....1 ..,,f IA, fho s1of,affr,,onf.
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 sixtyfyc million cartridges
TO carry them into their first fight and as many
more for each succeeding fight
Two million i've hundred thousand shells and
shrapnel for our field guns for every hour they
are in action.
One hundred and ninetysix thousand horses
to carry them and pull their carriages.
One hundred and twenty-seyen thousand
mules to haul their supplies and pack their
guns
Eight thousand wagons to transport their
supplies and ammunition.
One million cartridge belts for their anmuni
ton.
One million drstaid packets to bind up their
wounds
One million canteens.
Each Of them must have uniform and equip
ineilf:
ono million shelter halves to protect them
from the weather
One million pouches to keep them dry.
Two million blankets to keep them warm.
Two million pairs Of shoes.
Two million uniform coats, breeches, ieggings
suits Of underwear.
One million hats.
Two million shirts.
-Four million pairs Of socks.
One million hayersaeks to carry their equip
menf.
An army of a million newly-lnade soldiers would,
it is figured out, be in need and very much in need
81 the guiding hands, brains and experience of about
5000 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.
III invasion should take place in the near future,
the brunt of the attack would have to be borne by
few thousand sregularsn until such time as rein
Iorcements Of nearsoldiers, minus uniforms, and
oIcers in the making, could be supplied, and such
would stand poor chance against army of train
cd Invaders. Men Of few weeks instruction would
BE thrown into the field with the expectation that
thew would accomplish what officers Of years OF
training would have grave doubts about attempting
Census experts make the emphatic statement that
.f Isl S has over 1900 900 men Of military age still