Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1922-03-15
ARMY SLASH IMPER|LS
WHOLE DEFENSE PLAN
General Pcrshing Warns of
Dangers of Further
Reduction.
CRITICAL HOUR AT HAN,
Continued Cry OF Economy Threatens
Emcicncy and Morale of Fighting
FOrce-Garisons Reduced to Low
est Point Possiblc,
lKy Associnted pre,s.l

81
WASHINGTON. March 14.--House
Appropriation Committee proposals
TO cut the regular army to $4,000
enlisted men and 1900 officers
aroused General PerBhing today to
a renewed declaration that the
whole national defense project put
through In 1920 would be impcriled il
tho slash recommended was made by
Congress. Success OF that Sound
military policy and system of ma
tiOnal Defense" he said in state
mcnt 10 the Associated Press. de-
pended upon the adequate provision
for the military establishment.
The ibcr OF the regular army has
been thoroughly tested General
Pershing said, by the strains placed
upon IL. not only in time OF war. hut
In time OF peace. when II has had ~
withstand the onslaughts made upon
II In the name of economy or pacihsm.
Critical Hour nj Hand.
1T appears now. due to the de-
expenditures, another critical hour
for u. army and the national do
f.nsc is ut hand"
Referring Ia the frequent slashcs"
In army strength made by Congress
since tho war. General pcrshing said
a ''yaciilatinE course" with respect
to army personnel discouraged com
rctcnt men from entering the service
and lowered morale and efficiency
within the army until II was DIFF
hcu!t. II not impossible. To use to
advantage the services OF even the
beat OF such pcrsOnnel.'
But whatever Congress may sec
1T tn grant the chief OF staff add
cd the army viii. az IL always has.
apply itself to giving tho nation ar
much national defense "a II can. II
viii not pnit. no matter how badly
crippled.
SrcLs prrmRprncy OF Foley.
III does ask. however. not through
scif-intcrcst. but In the interests OF
the country. that It's missions, its
personnel and it's means Of accom-
piishng the missions he given some
pcrmancnCy and that II he permitted
through continuity OF effort. to give
the country FUN return for it's ex-
rcndituros for natiora! defense"
General Pershing made no direct
reference To the proposal TO slash
overseas garrisons. Tut in explain
ms III" missions or I'll. Rarrisons he
made II clear that the War Depart
mcnt does not believe that the forces
in Hawaii or Panama can he
duced with safety. aud th1t there IN
no thought In the department 81 re-
ducing the Philippine garrison until
the various treaties worked out by
the Washington conference become
effective.
Outlining the disposition now made
OF tho army under the authorization
for 100000 men and 10000 officers.
which Secretary Weeks has asked
staff said that the organized citizen
soldiery is our main line OF national
defense go 49,
Must Train for Defense.
Plans for this organization and
mobilization and training had been
h. III tNnr rad
not upon our assumption OF ssher-
rafting attitude. as come would
have us believe. but upon having the
means with which 30 defend our
selves and meet force with force II
necessary"
"The overhead" organization OF the
regular army was not only for It's
own administration. hut for the
whole military establishment. reSu-
lar reserve and potential" General
PershinE said. Thorough study OF
the requirements had fixed the neceS-
sary overhead personnel. he added. at
c,3G0 officers and 1890 men To deal
with general direction. administra-
ton and supply for the entire cs-
,ahlishment. experimenting this was
the army school system designed 10
provide l 500 officers for high com
mand and staff duties" which would
he the number required. General
Pershing said, for the firs, mobiliza-
ton in ans national emergency"
The personnel required now for the
schools. he added. was 1850 officers
and $500 men.
Must Add to Reserve Units.
Now assigned to organized reserve
units, General Pcrshing said. were
1000 officers and $500 men. and the
numbers must be Increased as the
system developed TO at least 1850 Of
icers and $3.50 men.
In the continental coast defense
placed along 1880 miles OF coast
line, AIS officers and 1880 men are
stationed. General Pershing said. add
ing:
Already many of the less impor-
tant defenses have been stripped OF
their garrisons. the few officers and
men now available being concentrat-
ed on the most important defcnses"
These various employments. applied
against force of 10000 men, Cen
eral Pershing said. would leave $4,000
men for the mobile army In the
United States. and even now II is
necessary to keep at least $4,000 men
on the Mexican border. about $500