The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1917-12-15
GUT OUT DEAD WOOD.
WAR DEPARTMENT WILL PICK
ONLY COMMANDERS WHO CAN ,
ENDURE GREAT HARD.
SHIPS.
bosrds Bosy Examining and Already
NUMBERS Have Been Found Ply
sically Unfit for Duty In France.

Washington. Dec. 11.-Command-
ers for American troops at the fight
ing front are to be selected only after
rigid investigation of physical condi-
ton and efficient qualification for their
task. Early announcement of the
rctiroment or discharge OF some OF
the general officers IN to be expected
as medical boards already have re-
ported against men in both the regu-
lar and National Guard service.
Secretary Bakers statement fol-
lows:
The secretary of war announced To.
day that all general officers Of the
regular army and the National Guard
are being examined by medical boards
and efficiency boards. with the view
or determining the advisability OF
sending them for service abroad.
The conditions OF foreign service
In this war are unusually severe, re-
curing that general officers shall bc
not only adequately grounded In mil
itary science and adequately alert
physically to acquire rapidly the les
sons which the new form OF warfare
requires. but able 10 endure prolong.
ed hardships.
The determinations OF these boards
are impersonal and In the interest OF
the success OF our armies and the well
faro both OF the leaders and the men
and will be affirmed by the depart
ment. This policy will no doubt COM
mend itself to the people OF the coun-
try as being in the public interest.
and even whore II is necessary to
deny the opportunity for foreign ser.
vice 10 soldiers Of long experience 1t
Will be understood to imply nothing
In any way prejudicial TO the officers
involved. .
boards OF this kind have already
found some general officers of both
ths regular army and the National
Guard physically disqualified Such
-fndIng does not in any way refiec,
upon. the past services of the officer or
upon his present zeal and willingness
to make personal sacrifices in the fur
ther service OF his country, but tho
question TO be determined is one of
capacity TO perform a highly special
ised and arduous type OF service"
The general officers OF the Nation
al Guard were taken into the federal
service with their State units with
out examination OF their protest. nal
qualifications. Some Of them had seen
service on the border during the
guard mobilization and all OF them
nave been under observance since
the guard was called into fed
eral service for the war.
Most OF the present regular army
onicers and men OF lower rank
have been given general officers COM
missions FOR the duration OF the war
- ~~' WV SoicStcuNSO IuT AS the
hne ofncers are concerned. by the
same process which Is followed with
the nomination of men to permanent
commissions in general grades OF the
army. BY this process it has been
the rule that seniority was followed.
unless the record OF an officer for.
oade this promotion.
The new order undoubtedly will
eliminate very considerable number
OF general officers. even of the grade
or major general.
Today's announcement recalls the
fact that soon after the outbreak of
the war France found it necessary to
shelve a large number OF officers OF
high rank and that similar process
was followed later In the British ser
vice.
Secretary Bakers statement carries
warning that no appeals from the
board will be considered. The dead
wood Is to be cut out with a firm
hand. II is said
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