El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1919-10-03
u. S. WILL WEI CONE. CEN. PERSFILNG'S
VIEWS ON A LARGE STANDING ARMY

TIE country VIII doubtless feel some qualification in
learning that congress is to consult Gen John ].
Pershng for his opinion Of the department bill which
woed give the United States standing army Of $4,000
officers and Let 1t be understood that this large
would include students under any universal nil
izry training system any national guard organlza-
ton would be the regular standing army, year N and
year out with officers and men ful pay.
The advice Of Cen Pershing VII be welcomed because
Americans consider him probably the best informed OF
army officers ana because too, he hsS hao unoel oD
serTaaz and command the largest body Of troops ever
assembled under the American flag. Pershng IS level
headed and If anybody knows hos large military esab-
hment this country ought to have and what IS TO be
expected from draft troops summoned quickly IN wartime
to form a really large amy he ought to be the man
FRANKLY the country is much in the dark and needs
expert advice Congress needs It particularly There Is
very evident desire have standing army large enough
70 safeguard the United States bat equal desire also
to keep expenses down Just much possible On account
Of the already high taxes.
It is not though all high army officers were unani-
nous in opinion Tie general staff has proved II the past
that It had rather sound judgment but he personnel Of
the staff changes and its estimate Of the military require
snts the United States for adequate defence Of the
country and its possessions may not be accurate
Theu too senator George E. Chamberlain, Of Oregon
one Of the foremost advocates complete preparedness
has come out against the department bill branding
It as anitsrisn gone mad" He thinks It calls for lar
too many troops.
Moreover, MAJ Gen. Leonard Wood, author Of the
Patsbur training camp plan and second only 70 the ate
Col Roosevelt champion Of preparedness has assured
the senate itarv affairs committee that the army OF
more than hall million men, asked BY The war depart
ent IS twice as many the country needs-uness the
department has in mind project Of which Gen Wood
has not been informed
chief opposition 10 standing army Of the size sug-
gested BY the department IS based On the annual Dill
Of expense which, It is ssmaed would approximate one
billion dollars Admittedly that Ilgure IS ralner sag
qsrng n peacetime-
BIT in contrast to the adverse opinion advanced BY
senator Chamberlain and Gen Wood IS the affirmative one
Of Gen Peyton C. March, chief Of the general staff Wno
-atr-s1l- arrroVeg The bill because he Of Its
trainers. he says.
aFor this war congress appropriated and there
spent for the army Sl4soo400OO0o we were
fortunate in hsFing wals created by the atlles,
bshi.5 which could train our men We do not
want similar experience when we may not have
such a protecting wall We want to be II
position to meet every emergency mere are
nauv men n the army and IN the country thor
e-shlv trained now and we want to have always
as Izree number Of trained men With the
prevailing spirit Of unrest Throughout the world
al nations must Be the alert.
aVVnston Churchill has proposed an army Tor
England Of 100000 men. France has the eonscipt
system and can raise ct once an army o. any SIZE
We suggest an army OF $4,000 The outside est
mate Of the cost Of such an army would be about
se0OO0OC00 q year, were everything to be sup
Piled new. But have uniforms, equipment
arms and supplies ard We estimate the years cost
Of such an army would be about s5o30ooO00
That Is less than the interest cost to the country
Of the erm7 IN the past Is months. No nation
IS now reducing its arnaments
Mai Cen Tohn T. O'Ryau New York national guard
officer who commanded the 9th division N France test
fed before the senate military affairs committee that ne
was opposed to the department bill because he saw
in such an army the abandonment Of real preparedness n
the form Of great citizen army after the model Of
Svit1srlsn1
So men VIA 5ught know have expressed very diverse
opinions ard congress and the counry VIII welcome the
further enlightenment they likely to receive nom Ger
PsrshinE-
n restless times ike these It is better to De safe than
sorry better to large army, but one which
can Be scaled down IN size than toe small an army 70 meet
an emergency
The Generals and others Who have been entering into
he discussion do not appear 70 have touched OF one phase
If the natter # America is to have an amy OF $4,000
in tine Of peace the troops VIII have 70 oe secured y
draft IN nc conceivable way car the establishment re
rsised about 10000 BY the volunteer system
With winter coming on the coal dealers are beginning
10 remind Us to keep the hume fires burning.