The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1936-08-05
u. S, STRENGTHENS DEFENSE
ORGANIZATION AS WAR DRUMS
ARE RESOUJNDING In EUROPE

the army faced difficulty in get
ting appropriations for congress.
Then the breakdown of disarma-
ment efforts, Japan's march into
Asia, Mussolinis Ethiopian con-
quest and the general unsettled
condition of the world appears to
have changed both congressional
and public psychology.
In late months the army has
been strengthened in these ways:
/. Its enlisted personnel has
been increased from $4,000 to
10000 men, a step which Gen.
eral Douglas Macarthur, recently
chief of staff, said would double
its combat effectiveness"
2. An increase of 5000 in the
strength of the national guard
was authorized by congress.
3. The air corps has begun a
program which will give it 1000
fast ultra-modern planes within
two years.
4. The enrolment at the U. S.
military academy was increased
from 1874 to 1850, which Off
GERS estimate, allowing for fail
ures, will provide more than 400
new officers each year.
5. A general headquarters air
force was instituted with a sys-
tenn for consolidating fighting
planes from all over the country
in a few days.
6. The army adopted a rapid
fire shoulder rifle capable of
shooting a clip of eight bullets as
fast as a trigger can be pulled.
1t is expected vastly to increase
the firing power of troops. Thus
far only $500 have been issued
but eventually it will replace the
Springfield as standard equip
ment.
Meanwhile, the war department
has drafted an efficient system
of industrial mobilization"
Plants throughout the nation
know in advance what war sup
plies they will be expected to man.
ufacture. They have worked out
with the army a plan of close CO.
operation. Even contract forms
for purchases have been drawn
up. Like a giant well-oiled ma
chine, the system of purchase and
supply will start grinding out ma
terials if war comes.
Thus, at the moment, the mill
tary machine of the United States
consists of:
l. A standing army of $4,000
officers and 10000 enlisted
men.
2. A national guard, the "sec-
ond line of Defense" of 1880
officers, POI warrant officers and
172,224 enlisted men, with an in
crease of 5000 men authorized.
3. An organized reserve" of
1880 officers, of whom 81, 1855
receive periodic training. They
are counted on to furnish the
leadership for civilian army of
100000 men which, some au-
thorities say, could be put into
the field within a few months.
Statistics show, however, that
this army is relatively small COM
pared to that of other world pow
ers. The following table gives a
comparison:
Standing Trained
Country army reserves
British Empire 800, sos 632.053
France 600, sos 100000
Germany 426, 800 l $50, 900
Italy ILL., 93 8,214, 1868
| Japan 100000 100000
Soviet Russia 1,1S5,000 1880, 200
United States 177,000 29S,385
Although advances in prepared
ness have been made recently,
there are several steps which the
war department now is agitating.
Among them:
/. An increase of 2,000-from
10000 to 14,000-in the corps of
officers.
2. Strengthening the national
guard by another $4,000 men.
3. Placing of educational or
ders" for munitions and other
supplies to give manufacturers ac-