Evening star., 1925-07-12

the latter part of this year
Emphatic denial was made by Lieut..
Col. John Scott. executive officer, of
the report circulated this week that
a plan had been discussed in the
War Department under which de-
fense tests could be held independ-
entity in each of the corps areas.
Though selecting July 4 made it nee
essary for the War Department to
modify its original plans for conduct
ing the test, the War Depart
ment was gratified with the results
obtained. Preparation will be made
by the General Staff of a detailed
study of the defense test results. and
until this official report is submitted
10 the Secretary of War it cannot
he ascertained just what will be con-
tained in the recommendations for
holding the 1926 test. That the War
Department will recommend the hold
ing of the defense test in order to
carry out the provisions of the ma
uonal defense act is assured. Upon
being questioned as to the probable
date on which the 1926 defense test
will be held, Maj Gen. John L. Hines.
chief of staff. held 10 the view that d
comparison of the 1924 and the 1925
defense tests conclusively proved that
a Fall date is preferable to July I
or any other date in the Summer
months.
In commenting upon the defense
test, Col Scott said:
"One hundred and forty-nine years
ago, July 4, 1916, our forefathers an
nounced TO the world their declaration
of the rights of the thirteen colonies
TO be free and independent States,
indicating that the united colonies
were willing and ready to fight in
order 10 gain what they considered
their rights and their freedom. On
July +, 1925, the people of the United
States went through the defense
test to show that their independence
and prosperity, gained by the sword,
was worthwhile keeping - by the
same means, if necessary.
"In approaching this Defense day,
numerous difficulties presented them
selves. In the discussion and delibera-
tions preceding July 4, 1776, many
more difficulties were encountered, as
the action of our forefathers in 1875
meant a sure and bloody struggle; in
1925 we were taking out insurance
against war. We were following the
plan of national muster inaugurated
by the great Washington.
THE Reserve Corps of the Army
of the United States met the apparent
difficulties of this day in the spirit
that obstacles are something for a
red-blooded people to overcome The
costly factor in the beginning of our
past wars has been the lack of
leaders who were trained, classified,
and assigned to begin to operate at
once as officers, as leaders of their
fellow countrymen.
THE Reserve Corps consists of
about S6, 900 officers and a smaller
cadre of keymen, non-commissioned
officers and specialists. The majority
of these officers are those of the
World War, trained by service in
war. They are classified for the duty
for which best fitted, and are assigned
to the service they will render when
the emergency arrives.
I'm Washington and vicinity the
Reserve Corps has about 1900 terri
torial assignment and about 500
branch assignment and general as
signmeTH officers. These officers are
assigned to their war units or duties;
they keep up in the midst of peace
time occupations their military train
ing to prepare to qualify as leaders
when war comes. Organized Reserve
headquarters in Washington are al
located 3S major units of all arms and
all staff corps. The duty of the
Reserve officers on Defense day was
TO report in person and to fill up their
organizations with one-day volunteers