AMERICA'S ARMY AND NAVY.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 286, 12 May 1915, Page 3

AMERICA'S ARMY AND NAVY.

WILL GERMANY BLUFF UXCLE SAM'; Like ourselves, America raises her army by voluntary enlistment. In the event of war the United States could put into the field about (H),0l!0 regular troops and about 80,000 or 90,000 partially-trained National Ouanl, which belongs to different States. The American nation relies, however, on being able to add to this 150,000 in case of emergency a great volunteer urmv.

If sufficient numbers were not forthcoming the reserve militia could be obliged to serve for two years; but this army, whether its ranks were filled by voluntary or compulsory recruitment, would practically be a new creation. Tlie reserve, or unorganised militia, comprises, with certain exemptions, the

whole of the manhood of the nation between the ages of eight een and fortyfive. all being legally liable to serve in a national emergency for a period of two years.

Their estimated number is 15,000,000, but tliev are only partially trained. In addition to the regular United States army, there are fifty-two companies of Philippine Scouts (natives), each of three olileers and 104 men; total, s!tli. There arc also the Indian seventy-five in number.

In the regular army enlistment is for seven years, of which four year 3 are spent with the colors ami the remaining three "on furlough"—practically in the reserve. lie-enlistment for a further term of seven years is allowed in certain circumstances.

The pay of a private in any branch of the service is lodols. a month (about 2s a (lay) at first; but the soldier can obtain "continuous service'' or "re-enlist-ment"' pay, so that after three years he may he drawing lSdols. a month, equivalent to about 2s fid a day. The minimum height is nominally sft 4in, and the chest measurement 32in; but a certain relaxation of standards is allowed.

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

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

According to the ordinary arrangements for Ifllo, America, has a fleet of thirteen effective Dreadnoughts, nineteen prc-Drendnoughts, fifty-six destroyers, aliout fifty submarines, twenty-five tor-pedo-boats, twenty-four armored and protected cruisers, and a number of scouts, monitors and old protected cruisers for subsidiary service. The most powerful of America's Dreadnoughts the Pennsylvania No. 3!), whose principal armament is twelve 1-lin and twenty-two sin guns. The speed lias not been revealed.

A peculiarity of the American navy is that there are no midshipmen. The two years' cruise for midshipmen was abolished hv Act of Congress in 1!}12, and all •'middies" at sea were immediately commissioned as ensigns.