Albuquerque morning journal., 1922-03-15
PE:RSHING SEES
DANGER IN PLAN
To SLASH ARMY
National Defense Project
Put Through in 1920
viii Be ImperiIed If Cut
Is Made, Declares.

ASSOCldleu Press III OuSe apprO-
priation committee proposals to cut
the regular army to $4,000 en-
listed men and 1900 officers,
aroused General Pershing today to
a renewed declaration that the
whole national defense project put
through in 1920 would be imperil-
ed if the slash recommended was
made by congress. Success of that
sound military policy and system
Of national defense" he said in a
statement to the Associated Press,
depended upon adequate provision
for the military establishment,
Army's Fiber Tested.
'The fiber of the regular army
has been thoroughly tested GEN
eral Pershing said, "by the strains
placed upon it, not only in time of
war but in times Of peace. when it
has had to withstand the on
slaughts made upon it in the name
OF economy or pacifism.
1T appears now. due to the de-
mandS for economy in our national
expenditures, another critical hour
for the army and the national de-
fense is at hand"
Referring to the frequent
slashes" in army strength made
by congress since the war. General
Persbing said "a vacillating
course" with respect to army per-
sOnnel discouraged competent men
from entering the service and low
cred morale and efficiency within
the army until II was difficult il
not impossible to use to advantage
the services of even the best of
such personnel"
1t VIII Not Quit.
But whatever congress may see
fit to grant" the chief of staff
added, the army will. as it always
has, apply itself to giving the ma
ton as much national defense as it
can. 1t will not quit, no matter
how badly crippled,
1T does ask, however, not
self interest but in the in
terests of the country. that its mis-
sions, its personnel and its means
Of accomplishing the missions be
given some permanency. and that
It be permitted. through continuity
Of effort, to give the country full
return for its expenditures for ma
tional defense"
General Pershing made no direct
reference to the proposal to slash
overseas garrisons. but in explain
ing the missions OF the garrisons
he made it clear that the war de-
partment does not believe that the
forces in Hawaii or Panama can
be reduced with safety and that
here is no thought in the depart
nent of reducing the Philippine
garrison until the various treaties
worked out by the Washington con-
terence becomes effective.
outlining the disposition now
made of the army under th> au-
.horization for 10000 men and
1900 officers. which Secretary
Weeks has asked for the coming
,ear, the chief Of staff said that
the organized citizen soldiery is
our main line Of national defense. "
''In time Of war" he added. "be-
1ind the thin outpost line of pro-
'essional soldiers, the standing
lrmy, it must mobilize, complete
is training and take the field"
Plans for this organization and
and training had been
made, General Pershing said. based
rot upon our sumption of a
.abre rafting attitude. as some
would have us believe. but upon
having the means with which to
lefend ourselves and meet force
With force, If necessary"
Overhead Organization.
The overhead organization of
he regular army was not only for
is own administration but for the
whole military establishment, reg
liar, reserve and potential" Cen
raj Pershing said. Thorough |
tudy of the requirements had |
ixed the necessary overhead per-
onnel, he added, at 1900 officers
nd 14.700 men to deal with gen
raj direction. administration and |
for the entire establish
1ent. Supplementing this was
he army school system designed /
0 provide 1000 officers for "high
ommand and staff duties" which
yould be the number required,
ieneral Pershing said, "for the
irst mobilization in any national
The personnel re-
uired now for the schools, he add
d, was $3.50 officers and $500
zen. Now assigned 10 organized
eserve units, General Pershing
lid, were 1000 officers and 1,SOO
len and the numbers must be in
'eased as the system developed to
least 1850 officers and $3.50
ZEN. In the continental coast de-
,nses placed along 1880 miles of
past line, AIS officers and 1850
zen are stationed. he added. say
g:
ALREADY many of the less i'm
1rtant defenses have been strip
I'd of their garrisons. the few Of
GERS and men now available be-
e concentrated in the more inn
1rtant defenses."