El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1919-11-01

CERTAINLY the senate and house military committees
- which have been in conference with Gen John J.
Pershng, VIII be much impressed by the statement Of
the commandsrinchisf Of the American ExpejihonaTy
Forces concerning the military needs Of the United States
Gen. PershiHg recommended in a general way, the
maintenance Of standing army large enough TO meet any
external aggression and fulfill the Obligations Of the gov
eminent With respect to foreign powers probably mean
ING n connection with the League Of Nations and ne
also recommended the maintenance Of trained citizen
resere" large enough to meet requirements in time Of
need
Gen Pershing is not in favor Of standing army Of
$4,000, but believes 275oo0 100000 would be suffi
Gent The generals estimate Of the number of officers
and enlisted necessary to meet external aggression
and take Of international obligations seems to have
been guided, however BY the apprehension of expense
He believes army Of 100000; standing army that
IS would cost too much money.
Gen Pershing thus algns himself in opposition % the
department bill and TO agree with the Kahn
Chamberlain bin The department bin provides for
regular army Of $4,000 and for training class
Of $4,000 The age Of the when drafted would be
10 and the length Of active service three months There
ment is estimated at ssoooooooo year It IS argued
by opponents Of this bin (and probably Gen Perhing
had that IN mind that the cost Of single department
would thus amount to as much the cost Of admins
teriEg the whole government few years ago.
Now the Kahn-Chamberlan oil, which Gen Pershing
seems to endorse provides regular army Of 10000
men, annual training class Of $4,000 and the to
be called TO The coors for training at the Of g. Six
months Of service would be required exclusive Of time for
mobilization and rehabilitation and would remain IN the
for ten years The KahnChamberlan BIZ would
cal the number Of for training the de-
pzrteat bill, csl them year earlier, train them three
months longer hold them In the reserve ten years as
against a-aud cost the country $3.50 Ooo
900 year less However It would have regular army
Of $4,000 men less than the war department bin pro
vidss for.
The question which has been upperost in the minds Of
congress members ana which tie expert advice Of
Gen. Pershing was particularly desired, this
The reserve being the under each proposition,
would a standing army Of 10000 be too few for
The protection Of the country in view Of the fact that the
department has asked for than twice that many
Gen Pershing has answered.
Gen Pershings advice desired because he has had
the best Of the army in the past few years Re has
watched the work Of the regulars and Of the dvs
ions Of guard and Draft and is the best Judge Of the
strength ard weaknesses Of troops and Of military
system Moreover better than anyone ese in the United
States Gen Perng knows the strength ard weaknesses
Of European armies and military methods and by copar-
is0ns, ought know what need match up with
what Europe has that nay be able to deal with
whatever situation may arise.
Consequently when Gen Pershing says that 10000 &c
100000 IN the standing army ought to be sufficient
word VII carry weight and give added prestige IN