Evening Republican, Volume 18, Number 293, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 12 December 1914 — General Hills Says That Citizen Soldiery is Worthless. [ARTICLE]

General Hills Says That Citizen Soldiery is Worthless.

Brigadier-General A. L Milfe„ chief of the division of military a? fairs of the war department, in his annual report severely criticizes the state militia, saying that in numbers they are far below the required minimum and that in point of training they are deficient Based upon comparison with the regular troops with whom training is a da'ily requirement General Mills is right The militia is little more than a nucleus for the speedy organization of an effective army in time of need. Since the federal government took over the state militia it has imposed many requirements that have removed entirely the social features that at one time made the militia interesting and this has caused deterioration in some 'Ways. Officers and many non-commis-sioned officers, however, have made a considerable study of the military profession and all Who have served an enlistment have received training that makes it possible to be of inestimable value in the training of others. Practically every company has trained a number of riflemen to a considerable degree of efficiency, developing marksmen, sharpshooters and experts fiom among their numbers and thus doing a work of great importance If the criticism of General Mills was directed to the precision of close order drills alone it would be entirely correct, but if it is a Charge against the advantage taken to gather a general knowledge of all military training with a view to preparedness and field efficiency it is not well founded. General Mills explains that his criticism is wholly impersonal and tba't the needed reform can be brought about by placing the militia under federal pay, a fact well known to all Who have had 1 to do with the enlistment, and training of Citizen soldiers, whether they belong to the regular army or in the state militia. The report of the adjutanbgraerals of the various states shows that the enlisted strength of the militia is about 16,000 less than contemplated and this is equal almost to the infantry component of the United States army.