The Washington herald., 1917-05-05
Army and Navy New,
Best Service Column in City.

The best account Of how the four
teen citizens training camps will be
conducted is given in an order issued
by the adjutant general at Washing
ton, Brig. Gen. H. B. Mccain. The
details will have to be worked out at
each camp and it will be a strenuous
business, for minutes count. Gen. Nc
Cain says:
During the first month of the camp
those in attendance will be divided
into fifteen companies, regardless of
the arm of the service for which the
individuals are destined. During this
month the qualifications of each man
will be studied, with a view to as
signing the necessary numbers for
further instruction in the separate
arms of the service.
AT the end of the first month men
will be reassigned in due proportion
so as to form nine infantry compa-
les. three batteries of artillery. two
troops of cavalry and one company of
engineers. Other men who will have
been selected for the coast artillery
will proceed to Fort Monroe, Va. or
Fort Winfield Scott, Cal, for the re-
mainder of their training. Those who
remain at the division camps will re-
ceive two months training after the
reassignment mentioned above.
AT the end of the whole period the
regular army officer in charge will
select from each company, troop and
battery the officers for one regiment
of the corresponding arm. Thus we
shall have carefully selected officers
for sixteen infantry divisions and two
cavalry divisions by the time that the
supply departments can furnish equip
ment for these troops and by the time
the necessary machinery can be put
IN motion for procuring the enlisted
men.
Each company, troop and battery
must furnish approximately forty-five
officers. Those who are not selected
for immediate use will nevertheless
be commissioned in the Officers' Re-
serve Corps, If found to be competent
and will be available for use in con-
nection with any additional force that
may be authorized.
Need 10000 Omcers.
THE total number OF officers required
for the sixteen infantry divisions and the
two cavalry divisions is approximately
lO,OOO. These should be preferably ma
ture men and the most experienced nat
uraI leaders that the country possesses.
1t is recognized that there are thousands
of men throughout the country between
the ages of twenty-one and forty-four
who have had more or less military eXpe-
rience, either in the regular army or Ma
tionaI Guard or at military schools,
With the basic experience supplemented
by natural aptitude for handling men as
demonstrated in business or otherwise, a
splendid corps of 1000 reserve officers
should be available by the middle OF
July.
1T is necessary that the first lO.oOt
should be the best that the country has
In planning our military forces we must
assume that the war is by no means
drawing to a close. and that the country
must expand its military forces as rapidly
and effectively as the resources of the
country permit. The sixteen infantry di-
visions and two cavalry divisions ag'
gregate approximately $4,000 men. The
officers of these forces must receive sub
stantial promotion to meet the demands
Of forces TO be raised later It is con.
ceivable that many men who are ap'
pointed in the first 10000 must be pro-
NOTED one. grade with each successive
addition to our military force For this
reason the War Department hopes thai
mature men will seek appointment in the
fist 10000
"Other similar camps must follow this
first camp. Young men must be admit
ted to the first camp, but not to the ex
clusion of maturer men. In the SECOND
and following camps young men will
predominate.
Taxed to Utmost.
g.