Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-10-31
PERSH|NG OPPOSES
WAR DEPARTMENT
BIG ARMY" PLAN
Tells Congress Committees
Upkeep Cost of 100000
Makes 1t ImpracticabIe.
"275,OOO TO 100000,
POSSIBLY LESS" URGED
Held Sufficient to Protect the Ma
ton, Backed by Trained
Citizen Reserve.

tlou, ooChCu w AAoASo
Citizen Reserve"
Disagreeing with War Department rec
concentrations for permanent Army of
100000 men, Gen. John ]. Pershing today
told a joint meeting Of the Senate and
House military committees that he
thought the number could be placed at
IAN outside figure of 275.o0o to 100000
and possibly less
The cost of maintaining large Army.
the general said, was an element which.
in his opinion, would make it impracti-
cable to set the figure any higher.
The general said the Regular Army
should be sufficient to protect the ma
ton against sudden attack and to
meet Americas international obliga-
tions. both on the American CONT
nent and elsewhere, and that this
should be backed by a trained citi-
zen reserve"
Universal Training Essential.
Gen. Pershing, who appeared at a
special session of the committees
which are considering a permanent
military police, said universal mill
tary training was essential to pre-
paredness.
Military training makes better
citizens" he declared. Its benefits
should be extended to ali our young
men. Through service it increases
their physique. it broadens their view
of life and it is democratic"
With universal service established.
he continued, the military establish
ment could be made up first of a
II ms RI n Ia RI hnia
expeditionary forces, which may be
called out to Sustain our obligations
on the American continent" and to
garrison outlying possessions-which
would be backed up by a force in train
ing, and behind that a citizens reserve.
Discusses Reorganization Bills.
Gen. Pershing discussed in detail
the Army Reorganization bills pending
before Congress.
In our experience in France" he
said, lit became evident that a trans
port corps to include all classes of
personnel, rail. water and highway,
should be maintained.
THE experience. with the air serv-
ice makes it certain that this will be
in warfare. America should otshe<Rl-
lowed to lag behind other cd3S{<4Ss.
ut might be well to consolidate
air forces. military. naval and com
sistance to progress"
Would Retain Tank Corps.
The general also urged retention of
tank corps. He also said the nurse
corps deserved recognition and he
praised it's service during the war.
@ In I'M r>f vryra . I,f
the decision as to organization of
corps and service be left to the Presi-
dent" he. said. land 1 believe the au-
thority should be left to him in time
of peace"
Provisions of the Senate bill, Gen.
Pershing said, created too many gen.
eral officers"
Our traditions call for fewer men
of these ranks. he said. Now as to
the general staff provisions, it seems
to me that under them line officers
might suffer in the matter of promo
ton.
Wants General Staff to Remain.
Our general staff has never func-
toned as such. Few officers have
been trained for it. So at the begin
ming of the war it was found neces-
sary to create one from the ground
up"
I'VE came out of the war with gen.
eral stan experience and with trained
officers. There should be no opposi-
ton to it's retention.
Some provisions should be made by
which the President could get rid at
any time of an inefficient man who
happened to become a bureau chief"
Would Broaden West Pointers.
Gen. Pershing recommended that all
West Point students be required
either to attend a training camp or
spend one year in the Army and be
given more opportunity to mix with
other men in the outside world"
should be definitely classified into
three groups-one available for train
ing troops in peace time, one for serv-
ice during any national disturbance
and the other available only in war
time. He declared all of them should
he given standing assignments to
definite military organizations
Given Cordial Greeting.
There was a burst of handclapping
when Gen. Pershing entered the COM
mittee room and the audience rose.
Four officers of his staff accompanied
him. laden with portfolios OF papers.
He had prepared no statement in ad-
vance, the staff men said, but had
worked until Hiohi6he oSSehioiih6
data
Gen. Pershing," said Chairman
of the Senate committee.
1.-The committees are exceedingly glad
to have you with us, to express your
ideas on the military policy of the
country and legislation for the reor-
of the Army"
I'm glad of the opportunity" Gen.
Pershing returned. "The obligation
of deciding upon the definite policy
of national defense is a matter for
national consideration. We have just
emerged successfully from a great
military conflict and the victory was
due TO the great national effort.
Lays War to Unpreparedness.
Our success was not due to our
but to the exceptional
which made it possible to
prepare adequately after hostilities
began. 1t is my opinion that IL we
had been prepared adequately We
would never have been called upon
to defend our rights"
Confronted with the objections of
members who oppose uni
yersal service, Gen. Pershing said he
,ad made no estimate of the cost of
such a program, but thought 1t could
,e nut into effect in such a way that
he expenditure would be well worth
While, not only from military view
,oint, but because it would produce
better citizens.
Would Take "Short Time"
The general indicated that he had
- l. - - Il.