The Washington times., 1923-12-07
PERSH||VG PLEAS
FOR INCREASE
Of ARMY
Chief Of Staff, IN Report, Says
Present Appropriations
Are Too Slim.
BY SEARS TAYLOR.
international News Service.

HWB6EMt3BAOhll4A
The present War Department
appropriation provides only for
the .living expenses" Of the mill
tary establishment and does not
adequately care for its upkeep or
progressive development. declared
Gen. John j. Pershing, chief Of
staff Of the United States army,
in his annual report to the Secre-
|tary Of War, made public today.
Supplies are Exhausted.
WAR stocks Of supplies have been
utilized to the maximum advantage 7
said the report. "and many articles
are now exhausted The temporary
shelter built during the war has in
most instances become unduly ex.
pensive to maintain and is unfit for
occupancy.
Essential measures for the de
Tense Of the Panama Canal and
our overseas possessions have been
held in allegiance, although a num-
Der. Of years would be required for
their completion.
Practice Economy.
General Pershing declared that
ra other Government agency had
co-operated more sincerely than the
War Department in the effort to
effect economies in appropriations.
With appreciation Of the need FOR
economy, however, he urged that
the regular army be brought back
to the strength Of 10000 enlisted
men and $4,000 Officers. Other
recommendation were as E0ilc,ws
4. That appropriation befrnale for
the suitable housing Of officers and
enlisted men.
2. That the army be enabled to
conduct annual n1aneuverB on q
moderate scale.
3. That the National Guard be
given the support necessary TO per-
NIT its progressive development to
strength of $4,000
4. That the skeleton organization
Of the organized reserves be aGle-
Quately maintained.
5. That the funds appropriated
permit reserve officers 10 receive
an average OF fifteen days training
in each three or four years.
6. That the reserve officers train
Ing corps units be further developed
and that provision be made for a
gradual increase In the number &C.
commodated annually in the citizen
military training camps.
Expect Disruption.
In commenting on existing con-
ditions in the army today, General
Pershjng declared that the tempo.
rary disruption OF the regular army
was to be expected during othe
initial phase Of reorganization under
the national defense act, but EN-.
plnasized the fact that this condi.
ton "can be but temporary phase. !"
He declared that the regular or
Plantations Of the army must once
more receive the training necas-
sary to make them models Of e.
ficiency and to prepare them TO
take the field at any moment. He
pointed out that funds should be
made available for maneuvers TO
gl~e military leaders at least some
practice in the handling Of units,
large and small. in the field. This.
he declared, can
COIIl0 only lA4OuSH lkI0 VIlCESdS0 III
strength recommended and through
adequate appropriations, which will
enable the personnel of the regular
army to perform it's double task.
Are we making real progress
toward the modest goal which we
have set for ourselves, or are
we falling back into the unpre-
pared condition which has here
tofore existed in this country?"
General Pershing asks. at sin.
cerely hope that it is the will
Of the American people that we
should carry out conservative
and balanced program for the ma
tional defense in preparation for
whatever emergency we may be
destined to encounter.