Evening star., 1915-01-01
Great Problems in Executive Branches oI
the Government Have Been Solved
After Anxious Labor and Hearty
Cooperation Among Officials.
STATE, WAR AND NAVY
DEPARTMENTS.

The wear Just closed has been ono OF
almost unprecedented activities at the
state Department. The last half Of the
wear saw the outbreak of the great
European war, and although the posi-
fion of the United States has been one
Of strict neutrality in this momentous
conflict. many and diverse questions
involving commerce and industry and
the safety of the nationals OF one couh-
try in another all have had their reflex
in the State Department.
Immediately upon the outbreak OF
the war the State Department first was
charged with responsibility for the
safety of Americans in belligerent
countries Millions of dollars were Tor
warded to absent Americans. thousands
of whom were brought back to Amer
ican shores under the guardianship OF
Uncle Sam. Inquiries numbering many
other thousands were made concerning
the whereabouts and safety OF Amerl-
can travellers throughout Europe from
the lakes of Killarney to the Golden
Horn. =,
directed regarding individual Ameri-
cans in Europe, but the State Depart
ment still struggling to solve large
questions involving shipping. embar-
goes and contrabands and other COM
mercial problems so vital to European
countries, both neutral and bellfger-
ent, as well as to the United States.
Watch on Mexico.
Mexico, as for three and half years
previous, has been constantly under the
watchful eye of State Department OBJ
servers as executive has followed ex-
ecutiye in that troublous country.
Minor revolutions in Latin America
have likewise claimed their share OF
attention.
In the field of worldwide diplomacy
Secretary Bryan has negotiated peace
treaties with twenty-odd powers look
ing to the adjustment OF international
difficulties without recourse to arms
through a preliminary Investigation oy
international commissions provided FOR
in each pact.
Closely allied with the State Depart
ment in its activities have been the Navy
and War departments. The dispatch OF
the Atlantic feet to Mexico constituted
the chief naval expedition of the year.
Following the feet went army troops from
Texas City and Galveston, Tex, the en-
tire land forces later being placed at Vera
Cruz under command of Maj. Gen. Fred
erick Funston. Within a month addi-
tional troops have been ordered to the
the patrol maintained there for the past
three years and more.
The inaugura tion of schools of aca-
demic and technical instruction, afioat
and ashore. for enlisted men Of the navy
and the abolition Of the naval officers
wine mess have been two of Secretary
Daniels policies to come into being since
the year 1914 dawned on the horizon.
Three War Chiefs.
Three chiefs-of-staf have guided the
policy Of the War Department during the
year now closed. Maj. Gen. Woods four
year detail expired In April. when he was
relieved by Maj. Gen. Wotherspoon. who
in November retired to be succeeded by
Brig. Gen. Hugh L. Scott. In August
Brig. Cen George Andrews retired as ad-
jutant general, his mantle falling upon
Brig. Gen. Henry P. Mccain, returned
from tour Of Philippine duty.
Secretary Garrison's principal recon-
mendation since he has been at the head
of the War Department came this year
when he recommended an increase in
the enlisted strength of the army by
$4,000 men and the creation of 1000 ad-
ditional commissioned officers. Military
observers opine that this recommendation
alone will cause discussion at least to the
end Of the year now dawning.