AMERICA'S ARMY AND NAVY.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 7, Issue 209, 15 May 1915, Page 8

AMERICA'S ARMY AND NAVY.

WILL GERMANY "BLUFF" UNCLE SAM. Like. England, America -raises her army by voluntary enlistment. la the event of war the United States could put into the field about 00,000 regular troops and about 80,000 or 90,000 partially' trained National Guards, which belong to different States.

The American national relies, however, on being able to add to this 150,000 in case of emergency a great volunteer army.

If sufficient numbers were not forthcoming- the reserve militia could be obliged to serve for two years'; but this army, whether its range were filled by voluntary or compulsory recruitment, would practically be a new creation. '- , .

The reserve, or unorganised militia, comprises, with certain exemptions, the whole of the manhood of the nation between the ages of IS and 45, all being legally liable to serve in a rational emergency for two years.

Their estimated number is 150,000,000 but they are only partially trained. In addition to the regular United States army, there are 52 companies of Philippine Scouts (natives), each of three officers and 104 men; total. 5,912. There are also the Indian Scouts, 75 in number. . In the regular army enlistment is for seven years, of which four years are spent with the colours and the remaining three "on furlough"—practically in the reserve. Rc-enlistment for a further term than seven years is allowed in certain circumstances.

The pay of a private in any branch of the Service is 15 dols, a month (about 2/- a day) at first; but the soldier can obtain "continuous service" or " re-enlistment' pay, so that after three, years he may be drawing 18dols. a month, equivalent to about 2/6 a day.

The minimum height is nominally sft 4in and the chest measurement 32in, but a certain relaxation of standards is allowed.

In regard to the navy, all warships, under the requirements of law, are built within the country and of home material.

Approximately, the personnel of the navy consists of 12,000 officers and men.

According to the ordinary arrangements for 1915, America has a fleet of 13 effective Dreadnoughts, 19 preDread noughts, 56 destroyers, about 50 submarines, 25 torpedo-boats, 24 armoured and protected cruisers, and a number of scouts, monitors) and old protected cruisers for subsidiary service.

.The. most powerful ■of America's Dreadnoughts is the Pennsyvania No. 39, whose principal armament is twelve 14-in. and twenty-two 5-in. guns. The speed has not been revealed. A peculiarity of the American navy is that there are no midshipmen. The two years' cruise for midshipmen was abolished by Act of Congress in 1912, and all "middies" sea were immediately commissioned as ensigns.