The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1921-11-19
France to Discuss
Land ArmSments
Premier BRAND to Go into
Matter at Open Session

took the first step today toward
bringing the question of land
armaments, of armies, before the
Washington conference.
In concurring for France in the
essential principles of the Ameri-
can proposals regarding naval es-
tablishments. Premier BRAND
touched upon the army problem
as far more vital to France. BY
agreement, NJ. BRAND probably ar
a public session Of the conference
later this week. will present most
fully as Secretary Hughes stated,
"the views of France with regard
to the subject of land armaments
which we must discuss.
There was no intimation in the
remarks of NJ. BRAND that he had
definite plan for reduction OF
armaments to suggest. He did
say, however, that he was salts
fed that the conferees would be
convinced that France. after the
necessities of safety and life have
been adequately secured, harbors
no thought whatever of disturbing
the peace of the world"
NJ. Brands statements were con-
strued generally as showing his
purpose to explain fully why
France regards it necessary to re-
tain the great force in her armies.
AS the nation with the largest
army. the premier pointed out to-
day, it was appropriate for her to
take that question up, but neither
at the conference nor in any other
quarter is there suggestion that any
such sweeping proposal for reduc-
ton of armies is to be expected as
the naval plan put forward by the
United States.
SO far as the United States is
concerned, the army question is
largely academic. The American
army, now far below it's used
strength of 100000 men, is cut to
the bone. Further reduction would
be opposed by both civil and mill
tary chiefs of the war department.
No American plan of army reduc-
ton will be presented and it may
be that there will be only nominal
discussion of the subject.
AS it now stands, the American
army is looked upon by its leaders
as no more than the national po-
lice force for which there is al
ways need. Records of the war
department show that prior to 1903
through the twenty-five preceding
years, the army was called into ac-.
ton in some quarters for nom
military work, duty that had
nothing to do with war, more than
500 times. In 1906. it was used
to auell more troubles in the Phil
ippines and to aid citizens during
San Francisco earthquake and fire;
in 1907 the army went to pacify Gu
ba and dealt with a Ute Indian up
rising; in 1908 it made a second
movement to Cuba; 1910, forest
fires in Montana, Idaho, Washing
ton and California; 1911-MeSisan
border protection and police WORK,
in Mindanao, Philippine IslapGs;
1912. relief for Mississippi Valley
food sufferers; 1913 border patrol
and food work in the Ohio and
Mississippi valley; Carmel Valley.
California; fires on Mount Tarnal-
pias, California; Omaha tornado,
lower peach tree. Alabama, cyclone:
forest fires in the Adirondacks;
1914, Vera Cruz occupation and
Colorado mine disturbances; 1915.
border duty and Colorado disturb
ances: 1916, Columbus raid and
Mexican punitive expenition.
In 1917 came the world war, and
with the absorption of the regulars
and national guard in war. it be-
came necessary to organize mill
tary police force to take their
places home. The force was the
United States guards which watch
ed over property where local po-
lice protection was inadequate to
the task.
deal with Industrial Workers Of the
World troubles in Arizona; race
riots in Nebraska and Arkansas;
flood relief in Texas; steel strike
situation in Indiana. and Tennes-
see: coal strike duty in West Vir-
ginia. Pennsylvania, Utah, Wyom-
ing. New Mexico. Kansas. Okla
homa and Washington; strikes x
Louisiana. more race troubles in
Arkansas and in Kentucky. preserv-
ine order at trials of alleged agi-
tators in Washington and strike
duty in Montana.
There have been many similar
employments for the army since
then from stopping coal strike
civil war in West Virginia to guard
ing mail from bandits and it is to
be noted. officials say. that no Sec
ton of the country is wholly i'm
mune from possible need and quick
need. of federal police force of
such discipline that it can be de-
pended upon to function in any
kind OF an emergency.
With less than 100000 soldiers
OF the regular establishment in the
United States. the distribution by
corps area provides some ele-
ments of the troops within quick
reach of any possible scene of in
ternal emergency. Yet they are SO
far scattered that it would be a diff
hcuit matter to get together in any
one area overnight as much as s.
/ 600 men and if 10000 were needed