Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-12-19
Imply No Social Differ.
ence, ,andRepresentDem-
ocratic Ideals, Says
Baker.
BY Associated Press

! spOhSe 10 senate resolution asking
whether there are war Department
rules and regulations TO prevent social
intercourse between officers and men
of the army. Secretary Baker to-day
wrote Fice-President Marshall that dis
tinctions OF rank in the army imply no
social distinction. and are solely in tho
interest OF military discipline.
Frequently in countr:' ill., this the
secretary said. the advantage OF edu-
cation and culture is in favor OF the
soldier. Nevertheless, he added, safety
demands that the soldier and officer
acquire by continuous and unvaryins
practice the habit OF instant obedience
to his superior.
Mr. Bakers letter follows:
Il have the honor TO acknowledge
receipt of resolution in the Senate
OF the United States. under date OF
December II. 1917. directing mo TO in
form the United States Senate what,
IL amy, rules or regulations there are
OF the War Department which prevent
officers from having intercourse with
privatcs and mingling with them in
social intercourse. or which tend TO
caste distinction between enlisted men
and commissioned officers when they
arc off duty
ONLY RULE on SUBJECT
IN ARMY REGULATIONS
I'm response thereto submit for the
/ information of the Senate Of the United
States tho following paragraph OF army
regulations in regard to the relation
/ ship between ohicers and enlisted men
as the only rule or regulation now
/ c'istinE relative TO this matter:
Supcriors are forbidden to injure
! those under their authority by tyran-
meal or caPricious conduct or hy
/ abusive language. While maintaining
! discipline and the thorough and prompt
! performance OF military duty, all off,
/ GERS dealing with enlisted men Will
bear in mind the absolute necessity uf
! so treating them as TO preserv, their
/ self-respect. Officers will keep in as
close touch As possible with tho men
under their command, viii strive to
! build up such relations of confidence
and sympathy as will in.urc the free
approach or their men TO them for
counsel and assistance. This relation
ship may be gained and maintained
/ without relaxation Of tho bonds Of dis
ciplinc and with great benefit TO the
! service as II whole
/ I'm this paragraph will be seen an
! cndcavor to arrive at a true balance
in the proper relationship between Of
| iiccrs and enlisted men: on the one
hand. TO encourage an exchange Of.
confidence and cooperation between
the officer and tho soldier. and. on tho
/ other hand. TO avoid personal intiinacics
/ between an officer and any particular
soldier or soldiers which might have
tendency 10 lead TO favoritism or tho
suspicion OF favoritism in assignments
| for duties. or cause discomfort on the
! part of those not selected for special
intimacy by the officer in question.
OFFICERS ARE EXPECTED
TO ENERCISE JUDGMENT
"All officers arc expected to so czcr-
else their judgment under this rcgula-
tion as at all times TO enjoy the sympa-
thy, confidence and respect of the SOL
diers. and it has always been part
OF the instructions given young officers
by their superiors to exert themselves
| to promote this relationship
distinctions OF rank in the army
are solely in the interest Of the mill
! tary discipline. They imply no social
distinction; indeed. in country like
ours tho advantage OF education and
culture will very frequently be found
in favor of the soldier. and vet il Is
necessary that the soldier should ac.
| quire by continuous and unvaryinc
practice the habit OF instant obedience
to his superior. This is as true of
officers as it is of men,
I'm the emergency Of battle. when
ever conditions tend to distract mems
attention and peril is on every side
safety for command frequently lies
only iii it's organized and co-ordinated
activity, and this can proceed from one
inspiration alone-the instant unoues-
tloning compliance by all with the
voice OF authority. There is no time
to debate: no opportunity to consider:
the men must have acquired their rule
or actlon-attention and obedience To
command. This habit cannot be
created in emergency and forgotten
under other circumstances. but must
result from practice which tolerates no
| exceptions either of persons or occa-
sionS.
CONSISTENT WITH RESPECT
AND MUTUAL CONSIDERATION
"The relationship between officers and
men, therefore, must be SO arranged
as to lead 10 this indispensable result;
but this is entirely consistent with
respect. sympathy and mutual con-
s'deration. and the hest officers arc
those who have most completely won
the affection Of their men, Military
annals are filed with splendid stories
OF men imperiling their lives outside
OF the necessities OF military action in
order to save the life OF a beloved
captain.
The War Department. therefore, has
endeavored and is endeavoring by every
means within its power to impress
upon officers the military value of this
cordial relationship-to have them un.
derstand that as Is the officer, so Is
the command: that their spirit and
their actions constitute the example
upon which the spirited actions Of the
men are nodded. While here and