The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1919-11-23
Standing Army of 100000,
Backed BY Y sssy;.ssszI Training,
Adequate, Says GeneralMarch
Annual Report Of Chief of
Staff, Which Probably
Forecasts Recommends
tons to Be Made by War
Department, Made Public

Washington, November "a standing
army of about 260, 600 men. backed by a
universal military training system to sup
ply reserves, would meet the peace time
requirements or the United States, Gen.
Peyton c. MARCH. chief of stan. declared
III his annual report, made public today
and which probably forecasts reeoin-
menaations to lie made by the war de-
partment when Congress reconvenes
Geenral March founded his judgment on
lessons of the world war. That proved
conciusively, he said, that ability to Le
self-sustainins fol- an indefinite period,
PROVIDED the army was adequately pre-
pared, was the nations greatest military
asset
So far as purely naval operations are
concerned he added, the United States
has nothing 20 fear from ANY conceiy-
able combination of naval powers; but
must oe prepared to prevent seizure Of
bases by an enemy controlling the sea
and intent on landing troops.
WITHOUT the possession of such bases
in France" the report said. I'VE could
not nave landed our army, irrespective OF
the TACT that the allies had control of the
seas"
URGES FIVE CORPS
General March recommended fixing the
strength Of the regular army at FIVE army
corps maintained at half strength II,
peace time. The proposals the department
presented tentatively to Congress during
the special session called for $4,000 men
and the statement of the chief OF staff
was taken to Indicate this would be
scaled down to 10000.
The report defended the present gen
eral staff system with authority central
lied in the chief of staff Proof OF its
efficiency could be found, it said, in the
fact that the United States had sent mora
than 100000 men and vast supplies over
seas. TITUS becoming "a positive factor in
the concluding military actions of the
war"
The war produced new practices. but
not new PRINCIPLES, the report said, and
was not won, as some predicted, by a
new ana terrible development OF modern
science but ty men, munitions AMI
morale"
The American military achievement was
possible "only because of the assistance
of our allies General March said, and
in urging an adequate military policy
adde1:
Surely we can never expect to pre-
pare for defense against the attack of
powerful and determined army again
under such unfavorable conditions to
ourselves
Military experts are agreed. General
Mdrcn Said. tndt the nulWafk OF amer
lean power is its ability for self-sus-
tenance.
GREATEST ASSET
This, involving. as it does, our un-
limited resources or manpower and
wealth' he said. Constitutes our
greatest military asset, provided, and
only provided. we are prepared to pre-
vent the landing on our shores of an
enemy of the size which our own per-
formances has demonstrated to the
world can be landed by a first-class
power under certain conditions. These
conditions are that lit shall have con-
troll OF the sea and proper basesA for
debarkation.
1T is. accordingly. one of the very
important lessons of this war that rea-
sonable provision and sound military
policy demand there shall be at all
times an organized force to insure. in
connection with our fixed coast de-
(Continued On Page Eleven)