The Washington herald., 1917-02-02
Army and Navy News
Best Service Csiu.n In City.

The Army League will continue its
policy of supporting the recommendations
Of the General STAFF of the army, ac-
cording to announcement by Joseph
Letter. the new president.
1t recognizes the General STAFF as the
highest authority on military affairs,
ne says, "and as consequence, holds
that In regard to the vital question OF
universal military training its policy
should be enacted into law.
ASIDE from favoring the method OF
training and organization which will be
outlined by the General, STAFF, the Army
League stands committed to an absolute
Democratic policy by which the obliga-
tions of serving the country shall be
placed upon the shoulders of all. We
recognize in universal military training
great reform which will prevent the for
mation of classes in this country. Moth
ing Will do more to give us a true
democracy than a system which will train
the rich and poor boys under the same
condltions and under the same tents"
Responding 10 a general public demand
Tor cooperation of defense and patriotic
societies, which has been emphasized by
an appeal from Howard L. Coffin, MEM
per OF the Advisory Commission of the
Councll OF National Defense, preliminary
steps have been taken for the organiza-
ton OF national committee of patriotic
and defense societies, with headquarters
here 1t is no part of the plan for the
creation OF this committee to consolidate
the organizations which are to participate
In the movement
Ihe national committee of patriotic
ana detense societies will be channel
through which the different organizations
can communicate with and get in touch
with the Council of National Defense
Under an act of Congress the Council of
National Defense consists OF six members
or the Cabinet and an advisory commits
sion or seven members. This is step
toward the coordination of the agencies
of the government for the defense of the
nation, and the national committee of
patriotic and defense societies is to oc-
cupy the same relations to the organized
efforts OF the people interested in the
preparedness movement. BY this co-or-
dlnating body II is proposed to establish
direct means OF communication with
the government authorities.
The organization of the committee is
the result of numerous conferences and
extensive correspondence between the
patrlotlc and defense societies. These
eliminated in two large conferences
atives or members of forty societies At
the first conference, witch took place
here on January Is. committee was ap-
pointed to draw plans for the co-ordina-
ton of the different societies,
Field trains have been too greatly re-
duced IN number by the army authori-
tles, according to the annual report OF
Inspector General f. A Darlington.
In fixing the allowances of wagons
etc, for field trains" reads the report
the primary object is, of course. mo-
blllty, but 1t is to be remembered that
mooility may be as readily reduced by
too great a reduction In the number of
wagons allowed as by too great an in
crease in field trains. An unwarranted
reduction in wagons tends to overlooking
in spite of honest efforts to enforce tho
regulations.
When our army is compared to those
of other nations the paucity of trained
soldiers affords a striking Illustration of
the necessity of preserving the health
and, In so far as possible, the comfort of
our men when in the field. To this end
II Is believed that the surplus kits should
be carried in the field trains as was for
merry the regulation. In so far as con-
Germs the infantry. it is essential that at
least spare pair of shoes be carried in
the field trains
"On account OF the general IscL of
ability in cooking among our people. il is
particularly necessary to avoid individual
cooking in our service. 1t is believed that
In the early stages of the present war in
Europe, rolling kitchens were Frequently
kept with their organizations until the
arrival of the units upon the actual bat
tlefield.'