Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1919-12-25
REORGANIZATION
OF ARMY PLANNED
Senate Committee Prepares Bill
in Which Compulsory Military
Training of Boys Is to Fl Will
Be Feature
REGULAR ARMY 100000
Youth within Prescribed Ages would
he Required to Take Four Months
Military Training and Then Act as
Rescrvists for Five Years

Washington. Dec. 21.-Legislation
organization of the army with protec-
ton from outside attack as a primary
purpose and with compulsory military
training for boys from eighteen to
twenty-one years of age as leading
feature has/bcen agreed upon tenta-
lively by the Senate military sub COM
mittee considering permanent mill
tary policy for the nation. Senator
Wadsworth of New York chairman of
the sub committee said tonight that
the legislation would be in final form
during the Christmas recess of Con-
gress for presentation to the full COM
mittee when the Senate reconvenes.
The legislation has agreed upon by
the sub committee, Senator Wads-
worth said. is completely new and
bears no resemblance to the army re-
organization bill drafted by the gen.
eral staff and transmitted to the
House and Senate military committees
by Secretary Baker. While various
minor details of the plan remain to
be worked out, the committees present
agreement. Senator Wadsworth said.
calls for n permanent standing peace
army of 100000. although the commit
tee may possibly reduce this number
in the final draft of the bill. The small
est possible standing army that will
meet the demands of this country is
the aim of the sub committee. chair
man Wadsworth said.
One big army composed Of the regular
army as now recognized and a reserve
or citizens army is provided in the tenta-
tive legislation. OF the latter army the
National Guard would be a part, al
though the details of the organization
of that service remain to be worked out.
Youths within the prescribed age limits
would be required to take FOUR months
military training with provision made for
either the regular army or the National
Guard OF the various States being used
| in furnishing this training. The youths.
however, would be given an opportunity
to select either taking this training in
lump or Of joining the National Guard
for fixed period, during which they
would receive the same amount of train
ing as prescribed for the four months
period
Upon completion of this training. the
recruits would be placed in a reserve
army for period of five years but under
no conditions. Senator Wadsworth said.
could the reservists be called upon to
perform military service except in case
OF declaration of war.
| while the bill will provide for COM
pulsory military training" Senator Wads-
worth said, there will be no provision
made for compulsory military service"
| Legislation also is being worked out
by the House military Subcommittee
which Acting Chairman Anthony said to-
night will have it's army reorganization
bill ready to be taken up in the House
early next month. Under plans of the
House committee, however. the peace
army will include approximately 100000
enlisted men and 1900 officers. Considera-
ton Of the war departments recon-
mendations for compulsory military train.
ing have been postponed by the COM
mittee.
AS now planned the House bill will
maintain the present status of the Ma
tonal Guard.