Evening star., 1917-11-04
PROTESTS REDUCE
CUT IN OFFICER LIST
New Report Suggests "a Few
More Commissions" Than
Had Been Proposed.
SEE BLOW TO PATRIOTISM

There is prospect that the War De-
partment may let up somewhat in the
matter Of curtailment of commissions
to be given candidates in the training
camp for reserve officers at Fort Myer.
When the War Department let it be
known yesterday that less than half
Of the men at Fort Myer, no matter
how well qualified they may be to be-
come officers, would get commissions
there was a flare Of indignation among
the men, who, for nearly three months,
have been working hard and sacrificing
personal interests under the assurance
that if they made good they would be
given a chance to be officers in the Army
the United States is sending against the
kaiser.
State Views to Officials.
Then some influential friends Of the
men in camp undertook to mako certain
officials see the error Of the course mapped
out. This action was taken not to get
prefermeat in the military service for
the individuals in the camp, but to sug-
gest to the War Department that the
people Of the country do not want to sec
discouraged the spirit OF patriotism
which actuated these men in giving up
their business and professional practice to
serve the country.
They argued that an injustice was being
done these men; that II the country Is
going to have the big army it is pre-.
pairing for, 1t needs officers and the best
officers that can be commissioned, and It
will be hard to get good officers IL those
who put three months Of hard work into
training to fit themselves are summartly
discharged after they have shown quail
dcatfon.
Many protests were fled at the War
Department. it is understood. Protests
were also made that the people OF the
country do not want to see their sons
go into military service under tncom-
petent officers If there are competent
men in Fort Myer and the other train
ing camps who could lead them and
care for them properly in the field.
Result Of Protests Received.
As result of these protests. and Of
minds on a matter in which they are
vitality concerned, since their own men
folk from all parts Of the country will
be under whatever ofhcers are commis-
stoned, indisations have been given E.s that
issued than were promised In the omcial
figures from the War Department. print.
Star Last evening.
ficers recalled that something OF the
same sort was attempted quietly In the
nrst training camp at Fort Myer. but
that outside counsel convinced the war
officials that a grave error would be
made in commissioning men before
any training camps were opened, and
the good men developed in the train
ing camps turned down.
It Is pointed out by officers who
know "the system" that there are GER
tain mathematician in the War De-
partment to whom the task is allotted
of portiohing out the men and COM
missions much as they would measure
of calico or weigh sugar. Instances
maticians figured the proportions down
to fraction Of a man.
However, friends of the 1927 men now
at Fort Myer who face the loss. Of a
well earned commission. are not much
heartened by the possibility that "a few
more" commissions may be issued. They
want to see every deserving man get
the commission he has earned by ear
nest work.
May Await Second 10000
Not all OF the men commissioned when
tne camps Close Will De calicQ TO service
Immediately, under the War Depart
ment plans. In fact, it was pointed out
yesterday that many of them. particu-
larly the lieutenants, might not be
called to active service until the second
soc. 900 men Of the National Army are
organized.
Oficers in charge of the camps are
selecting 1000 men between twenty
one and twenty-seven years of age for
commissions as provisional second leu
tenants in the Regular Army. They
will be attached to regular regiments
for additional training and will be
given provisional commissions in their
grade In the regiments as vacancies
occur, the commissions to be confirmed
II they made good in active service.
After these 1000 are selected the
men remaining will be considered for
the Signal Corps and ordnance bu-
reaus, which are in need of additional
officers. Those selected probably would
be called out Immediately.
Virtually all of tho majors and many
Of the captains of the line commission
ed when the camps close Will be needed
Immediately. There are indications of a
shortage of reserves in this grade
which may make 1t necessary to reopen
the Army to civilians generally IL Of
ficers' "casualties- prove as heavy as is
expected.