Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1919-09-03
4 New Military Policy

THE War Department is urging upon Con-
GreSs the Importance OF creating a regu
lar army OF not less than $4,000 men and
is giving persuasive reasons why SO large
q force might be required for at least u
decade even II league of nations is founded
and gradual disarmament by its members
begins. Congress is still considering the
weight OF these reasons and will take plenty
OF time 10 arrive al conclusion regarding
the necessity for large army and the ad-
visibility of large regular army.
There is a phase OF this question which
might be approached and which the
House and Senate would do we'll to examine
very carefully before committing themselves
upon the policy which the general staff OF
the army has fathered. This concerns the
future OF the National Guard and the ap-
parent determination OF the professional SOL
diers OF the country to destroy it as part
of the Federal system OF defense.
Two bills are now before Congress- both
Of which proceeded from the general staff
through the medium Of the Secretary OF War.
One lays down plan for the reorganization
or the National Guard on a purely militia
basis. That is, the guard may be re-created
as sort OF domestic police force 1t may
serve only within the territorial limits OF
the United States and may not be subject
to more than three months active service
in any one year. The second of the Baker
bills ignored the guard entirely.
This legislation is not acceptable to the
old officers Of the National Guard. They are
opposed to any military program which gives
the State organizations no place whatever
In the first line OF defense They are op-
posed to being made mere home guards"
or military patromen. II there is to be a
federalizcd National Guard the men who
made the old organizations worthy OF the
obligations they assumed, insist that this
branch Of the service be given full govern.
ment recognition, that it be established upon
straight national basis, and that 1t be not
totally subordinated to the regular army's
ambitions.
Most people will feel sympathy with this
Vie" The guard undoubtedly showed its
merit IN the war which has just ended It
went into the federalized service almost TO a
man and it fought as galantly as any branch
of the great Pershing army. Now the guard
no longer exists. When it was mustered ont
OF the emergency army It was automatically
dissolved And II it is to flourish once more
1t must be re-established by act OF Congress
ana 1t must be so tablshed over the oppo
sltion OF the general staff
IL Is easy to see the secret OF the War
Depa ,'meht opposition to the National
Guard as federalized arm OF the service
The professional soldiers in the department
want large standing army They want
more than 100000 men In the regular nc !,
tapllShment. They have declared as mucb
IN their recommendations to the House and
senate. But they know that il thew consent
10 the creation of a National Guard which
VIII nave possible strength OF say. $50 ono
men, ueitner congress nor the country will
appro'e OF regular army of the size now
proposed. The view will be that the hair
million men can be made available bv maxim
the regular army 100000 strong and ,be
guard 100000 strong