The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-08-19

the practice of arms and the theory OF
discipline have undergone many
modern changes. and a manifest need
for such a revision OF these articles as
is here presented has long existed. /.
therefore. the more keenly regret 10
find In the proposed revision of tina
articles OF war provision to which
cannot give my approval.
Sull Officers of the Army.
The original act establishing the
retired list OF the army (act Of August
3. 1s6Il referred to the personnel
therein included as only partially re-
tired and provided that a retired Of
ficer should be entitled to wear the
uniform OF his grade. should he borne
on the army register and should be
subject TO the rules and articles of
war and to trial by general court
martial for any breach of these arti-
cles BY the act OF July "a. 1875, Of
ficers of the army on the retired lis,
were specifically declared to constr.
tute part of the regular army. a
provision which Is found repeated In
subsequent acts affecting the organ
ization OF the army. and other statutes
enacted during this period made re-
tired officers of the army available for
certain classes Of active duty in time
OF peace with their consent and in
time OF war without their consent
BY the recently enacted national de-
Tense act the authority OF the Presi-
dent over retired officers has been fur
Their extended so as to make them sub
tect TO his call in time of war for any
kind of duty without any restriction
whatever. Courts and Attorneys Cen
eral have in long lire OF decisions
held that officers of the army on the
1T thus appears that both the leg
lslative and judicial branches have
drawn a sharp distinction in status
between retired officers. who are re-
garded and governed at all times as
an effective reserve of skilled and ex-
perienced officers and potential
source OF military strength. and mere
pensioners, from whom no further
military service Ia expected. Ofhcers
on the retired list of the army are
officers of the army. members OF the
military establishment distinguished
by their long service, and. as such.
examples of discipline to the officers
and men in the active army. More
over, they wear the uniform of the
army their education and service hold
them out as persons especially quail
fed in military matters to represent
the spirit of the military establish
ment, and they are subject to active
duty in time OF national emergency
by the mere order of the commander
in chief.
They are, therefore members Of
the army, officers of the United States.
exemplars of discipline. and have In
their keeping the good name and the
good spirit of the entire military es-
Establishment before the world. o.
cupying such a relation. their subjec-
ton to the rules and articles of war
and to trial by general court-martial
have always been regarded as neces-
sary. In order that the retired list
might not become source of ten
denotes which would weaken the dis
cipline Of the active land forces and
impair that control over those forces
which the Constitution vests In the
President.
Purpose of Articles Of War.
The purpose Of the articles of war
in times OF peace Is to bring about a
uniformity III the application of mill
tary discipline which will make the
entire organization coherent and ef-
fective, and to engender a spirit of
and proper subordination
to authority. which Will in time OF
war instantly make the entire army q
unit In its purpose Of self-sacrtncs aud