Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-08-17
TRAIN ALL FOR ARMS, .:
PROBABLE u. S. POLICY
Secretary Bakers Letter, Practically Announc-
ing His Support of Plan, Bolsters
+ 4" Hopes for System.

I that the Regular Army shall be COM
posed of $4,000 officers and men. In
their opinion this is far too large and
| too expensive an organization to un-
dertake. and also should be unnec-
essary. 1t is the claim, on the other
hand. of officers Of the general staff,
that an army of this size will be re-
quired to constitute the backbons of
I, the military forces of the country in
| time of emergency and also for the
proper training of the $4,000 young
who each year will present them
selves for training.
There doesn't seem to be a ghost of
a chance that Congress will authorize
standing army of $4,000 men, 1t
Is unlikely that it will agree to
permanent standing army of more
than half that number, and il NAV
be made even smaller. In spite of
the fact that recruiting for the
! regular Army has been progressing
| satisfactorily in recent months and
mas reached about the 100000 mark
since the call for recruits went out.
there Is good reasons to believe that
IT would be very difficult to recruit up
and keep an army of $4,000 men dur
ing the piping times of peace.
Presents Elaborate Statement.
Inc general staff, through Gen.
March, the chief of staff. has present.
ed a very elaborate statement of the
COSTS which would be entailed by the
proposed plan for a Regular ARMY or
| $4,000 men and a universal tra;n,,r
system which would give to each
young man of 10, physically fit and
not exempt for other reasons than
physical disability. an intensive MILL
tary training lasting three months.
| In round numbers. it is estimated
that it would cost the country $780,
100000 to $1,000. 100000 a wear for
Doth the Regular Army of SIG, 600 men
ana Tor the training system. But the
COST OF the Regular Army of that size
would be between $500. 900 and
S'oo'Voo'o0o, while the universal
training system would cost in the
nelghborhood Of 500. 200, 900 only.
Before the war the United States v.s
spending about $12o.oQo.ooo year for
standing army Of approximately 100000
men. The country has learned a NAM
Der OF lessons during the war. One of
tnem is that it is a foolish policy to he
unprepared for emergencies. There is
little inclination to go back to the old
unprepared condition. But nevertheless
tne country is not inclined to GO
INTO q billion-dollar-a-year expenditure
for its Army il it can be avoided
oiiiion7 dollars is beginning to look a
great deal bigger again than 1t did dur
ing the war. when for the Army some
thing like $14.ooo.o oo. 900 was expended
There is war debt of many billions to
De paid and the taxes on the people
must continue high for years to come
Also the military resources of the
country in trained men are very consid
cradle and will be for years. When the
armistice was signed nearly f.0Oo0oo
men had been placed in the Army and
100000 OF them were in France These
men who have had their training will be
subject to call in the event of another
war. But they cannot last forever
They will get old So the advocates of
universal training are wisely planning
for the future
-
VIII Result in Development.
One of the strongest arguments oaz,G
for universal training is that it winrp-
suit in the physical and mental develop
ment OF the men OF the country. 1t win
give the country a chance to take stock
CT the physical health of the young n1dr
and to correct faults and upbuilds he
men. The period of training also win
give an opportunity to instilI in the men
| orderly habits and discipline which vii
/ be invaluable to them in whatever wall
Of life they find themselves later. 20 y al
There is considerable discussion as
| to the proper length of the training.
The general staff has proposed a period
OF three months training. 1t is urged
| by the supporters of this brief period
| that men were trained as soldiers
actually fought well in France at the
end of that period. 1t is also urgeG
| that the briefer the period of training is
made the less it will interfere with the
lives of the young men and the ecoao--
mic development of the country. he.
1t is true that some of the supporters
Of universal training desire that he
periods be extended to six months, I'm
nine or even eleven. But it is also tr,e
! that those who believe in uniyersi,
training will be glad to see any peviod
OF training establish, no matter s,Sot,
! short. II it is found necessary or Sd
visable to lengthen the period later tie
law can be amended. But it is Most
necessary that the system be establish
GU e' soy .soi1o
l When the training camps for Officers
[: were established during the var H.
period Of training was three month";
Surprising results were obtaine ~ EHHc
intensive training which was givth Nd,
at these camps who had not had All
previous military training. This, f53h}r
| holsters up the arguments Of tI1oye
who favor the three-month plan..yxt
Continue National Guard.
1t looks as though the National Guard
organizations will be continued as be-
fore the war, with the provision that
they may be taken into the federal
service in the event Of emergency. There
will then be the Regular Army, the
men trained under the universal train
ing act. and the National Guard to call
upon in time OF war. IL this plan l.;
adoned