South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1922-06-05

I
1900 offices and 10000 enlisted
There Z apparently is absolute
unanimity of opinion among admin
istration officials and army experts
as 20 the inadequacy Of the bill
passed by the house From Pres't
Harding down II has been con-
demned as reducing the number Of
officers and men 10 a point where It
is no longer possible TO carry out
the provisions Of the national de-
Tense act. or properly TO perform
the prescribed missions of our ma
| tional military forces.
"Our present national defense law
establishes an economical and demo-
cratic military policy thoroughly
consistent with our national tradi-
tons" said Pres't Harding in SPEAK
ing on this subject. 1T provides for
a small regular army, 20 be aug
mented by great citizen forces IN
the event of national emergency.
This is our traditional military poll
icy But whereas in the past these
! larger war forces have been extern
ported after the occurrence OF an
| emergency the new law wisely pro-
vides that the framework of their
organization shall be established
and developed I'm time of peace. In
SO far as this is practicable through
the voluntary service Of our patriot
ic young men.
Should Encourage Development
"The army of the United states
as defined i'm the new law comprises
the regular army. the national
guard and the organized reserves.
Every patriotic citizen should en-
courage the development Of these
forces. each within its proper
sphere"
The house bill according 10 the
war department. reduces the officers
and enlisted men of the regular
army below the minimum required
for its many misso3s; retards the
healthy growth of the national
guard by failing 70 provide the nee
essary training and attempting 10
break up national guard divisions;
provides no training for the organ
ized reserves. and seriously reduces
the bureau of the budget allow
arces for the citizens military trair-
ing corps. If made a law. war de-
partment officials assert, it means a
return 10 "the stupid policy OF un-
preparedness which has entailed un-
necessary sacrifice If lives and the
wasting Of billions of dollars in the
past"
Secy. Weeks is particularly out
spoken in his condemnation Of the
house bill
SAYS Reduction Unwise
ct cannot think Of greater folly
than attempts 10 economic by un-
wise reductions of our forces below
the minimum required for the de-
velopment Of the national defense
system sanctioned by the national
defense act" he said. The entire
structure rests upon the soundest
economic foundation The best tai
ent we have in our country, trained
in the service before the war. with
the added experience Of service dur
.ng the war and with the fullest
appreciation of our economic re-
qu.rements. is unanimous in the be-
lief that we should not reduce our
regular forces below 10000 men."
Gen. Pershing takes an extremely
seriously view of the situation.
"A careful consideration OF the
work in hand" said he. If the in
itial weIl-iaid scheme is not 20 be
seriously curtailed and many es-
sential activities abandoned. leads
inevitably 20 the conclusion that any
further reduction would be disas-
trous"
Gen. James G. Hartford. who as
Cen. Pershing's chief executive Off
Ger speaks as a technical expert on
the effects OF the house bill. said:
Il believe the appropriation as
-passed by the house OF representa-
tives IS dangerously small and I'm
perils The national defense. particu-
larry striking az the national guard
the organized reserves the reserve
civilian military training camps and
50 reduces the regular establish
ment that the purposes % the ma