Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1919-11-23
STANDING ARMY
 OF 26O,000 $ PLAN OF MARCH
Recommends Universal Training System to Supply Reserves
 in Annual Report.
II. 2. HAS NOTHING
 TO FEAR ON SEAS
Nation Must Be Prepared to Prevent Seizure of American Bases Forecasts War Depart
 ment's Request.

l ; l Washington, Nov. 22.-A standing army of about 260,00O men, backed by a universal military training sys- tenn to supply reserves, would meet the peace time requirements of the i United States, General Peyton c. March, chief of staff, declared in his annual report, made public to- day and which probably forecasts recommendations to be made by the war department when congress re- convenes.
 General March founded his judg- ment on lessons of the world war That proved exclusively, he said, that ability to be self-sustaining for an indefinite period, provided the army was adequately prepared, was the nations greatest military asset.
 So far as purely naval operations are concerned, he added, the United States has nothing to fear from "any conceivable combination" of naval powers; but must be prepared to prevent seizure of bases by an army controlling the sea and intent on landing troops.
 "Without the possession of such bases in France" the report said," we could not have landed our army, irrespective of the fact that the al- lies had control of the sea-"
 General March recommended fixing the strength of the regular army at five army corps, maintained at half strength in peace times. The pro- posals. the department presented ten tatively to coneress durinp the spec ial session. called for 509.000 men and the statement of the chief of staff was taken to indicate that this would be sealed down to 260,- O0O
 The report defended the present staff system with authority central ized in the chief of staff.
 The war produced new practices but not new principles, the report said. and "was not won. as some pre- dicted, hv a now and terrible develop ment of modern science" hut by "n,en, nutritious and morale"
 The American military achieve ment was possible. "on1v because of the assistance of our allies" General Merch said.
 With peace army of five corns backed up by system of universal military training. "no foreign coun- trv could, in view of OUT performan- ce in this war disregard our rights" General March said.
 The Siberian expandition was un- dnrtaken solely to keep open the Siberian railroad and protect the Czecho-S1ovak forces, General March said, and paid tribute to Mai.-Gen. William s. Graves, commanding the exnedition.
 General March disclosed the fact that German agents succeeded, as early as 1915. in obtaining a cocv of the secret code of the war depart ment. It was replaced at once hv an intricate system of confidential communication.
 American operatives of the in- telligence service. he added. were very successful in solving the methods of enemy spies. "more than !0 inn- portant secret ink snv letters" alone havine been discovered.
 Concluding his report, General March said:
 "The American soldier. from what. ever source. has bv his conduct. and bv his se'f-reliance, cheerfulness. initiative, agoressiveness and velour. won the confidence and the unstinted praise of his comrades in arms of all nations, The magnificent perform ance of General Pershing and his command in this war will always be source of pride to all Americans"
 The report gives in considerable detail the organization of the depart. ment as built up during the war and tells of the work done both before and after the armstice by each branch. The story is told also of the growth of the American military program. beginning with the send ;ne to France of the First division. through General Pershing's project for 30 divisions in France by the end of 1918, to it's ultimate goal oi 80 divisions abroad and 20 at home, worked out by the chief of staff him. self. The actual accomplishment Of transporting and maintaining a vast army across 5000 miles Of sea has added a factor to the military calcu- lations of all countries the report states. and adds that it equalled in scone as a military movement only by the return of the army and its demobolization.
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