A comprehensive plan of Army reorganization was prepared by the War College Division of the General Staff.  This plan was thoroughly discussed last summer at a series of open conferences held by the Secretary of War and attended by representatives from all branches of the Army and from Congress.  In printed form it has been distributed to Members of Congress and throughout the Army and the National Guard, and widely through institutions of learning and elsewhere in the United States.  In it, for the first time, we have a tentative chart for future progress.

Under the influence of this study definite and effective steps have been taken toward Army reorganization so far as such reorganization lies within the Executive power.  Hitherto there has been no difference of policy in the treatment of the organization of our foreign garrisons from those of troops within the United States.  The difference of situation is vital, and the foreign garrison should be prepared to defend itself at an instant’s notice against a foe who may command the sea.  Unlike the troops in the United States, it can not count upon reinforcements or recruitment.  It is an outpost upon which will fall the brunt of the first attack in case of war.  The historical policy of the United States of carrying its regiments during time of peace at half strength has no application to our foreign garrisons.  During the past year this defect has been remedied as to the Philippines garrison.  The former garrison of 12 reduced regiments has been replaced by a garrison of 6 regiments at full strength, giving fully the same number of riflemen at an estimated economy in cost of maintenance of over $1,000,000 per year.  This garrison is to be permanent.  Its regimental units, instead of being transferred periodically back and forth from the United States, will remain in the islands.  The officers and men composing these units will, however, serve a regular tropical detail as usual, thus involving no greater hardship upon the personnel and greatly increasing the effectiveness of the garrison.  A similar policy is proposed for the Hawaiian and Panama garrisons as fast as the barracks for them are completed.  I strongly urge upon Congress that the necessary appropriations for this purpose should be promptly made.  It is, in my opinion, of first importance that these national outposts, upon which a successful home defense will, primarily, depend, should be finished and placed in effective condition at the earliest possible day.

THE HOME ARMY

Simultaneously with the foregoing steps the War Department has been proceeding with the reorganization of the Army at home.  The formerly disassociated units are being united into a tactical organization of three divisions, each consisting of two or three brigades of Infantry and, so far as practicable, a proper proportion of divisional Cavalry and Artillery.  Of course, the extent to which this reform can be carried by the