The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-12-16
ARMY OF 100000
WAR HEADS AIM
Swift Reduction Contemplated
by Department, Congress
Committee Learns.
no UNIVERSAL TRAINING
Republicans Will Decide Flu
ture Military Policy Of
United States.
Special Despatch to THE Sun.

WASHINGTON, Dec ia standing
army Of about the same size as before
tho war is contemplated by the War
Dsnartment, according to information
reaching members of the House Mill
tsry Committee and the House Appro-
,nations Committee. The War De-
partment has not yet disclosed its
plans for next year in full, but suffi-
c,ert information has come to these
House members to gain a fair knowl-
edge OF the plans OF the Secretary OF
War.
The national defence act of 1916
authorized an army on a peace basis
Of 100000 men. to be expanded in time
q war TO $4,000. When this country
entered the war the standing army
strength actually was 10000.
Appropriations are being asked on
the basis Of an average army of 100000
during the fiscal year beginning July l
as at first it appeared that the War
o Department planned to maintain an
army of that size. This, it was pointed
out to-day, is not the case. 1t is the
average number of soldiers the War
Department estimates must be cared
tpr during the next fiscal year. The
only Interpretation of this possible,
members OF the Military Committee
rointed out to-day, is that there will
he considerably more than that many
soldiers under arms on July l next
and considerably less than that num-
Der a year later.
No Hint of Universal Training.
On the basis OF the War Department
estimates it is virtually certain now
that the War Department will not
recommend the institution of a uni
yersal military training and service
plan No money is being askeS for
,uch a system and no hint has come
from the War Department that 1t Is
IN contemplation at all.
The formation OF an after-war policy
for the army rests to a large extent
with the Republicans on account OF
the coming change in control OF the
Senate and House and therefore of
the military committees of the two
branches Of Congress. This will not
preclude a determined effort to secure
universal training during this session.
Senator Chamberlain tOregon), the
present chairman OF the Senate Mill
tary Committee, is q strong advocate
OF the system
Kahn to Consult PershinR.
Representative Kahn California;,
who will be chairman of the House
Military Committee next session, II
was learned to-day, intends to go TO
france Immediately after the close of
the present session and seek the views
u Gen. Pershing and other American
commanders on the proper military
policy TO pursue. That his plan will
include universal training is known,
Of course, but it is the application of
the policy and the details of II on
which Mr.. Kahn will seek expert mill
tary advice based on the lessons of
the war.
Universal training. Mr.. Kahn
pointed out. will not preclude the ne
esslty Of small professional army. Ill
addition TO the training of yearly in
crements of youths under the univer-
sal training plan this professional army
would be needed TO garrison the Philip
pines, to maintain the usual two bat
talions in China, to garrison the Alas
ian posts and forts. the posts in the
United States and TO take care OF the
Panama Canal zone.
An army OF $4,000 men. Mr.. Kahn
estimated roughly, would be SUFFICIENT
tor these purposes