Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1918-11-16
Return of Soldiers From
France Is to Be Rapid
as Possible.

| Washington, Nov. 16.-0r-
| ders have been issued, General
! March announced today, for
the gradual demObiliZatiOn of
all troops now in this cOun-
try.
There are now in the United
States 100000 men under
arms, General March said.
Orders which viii result IN the
immediate demObiligatiOn of
20O,bilO men are already issued
and these men Will be at their
homes in the next two weeks.
When the reduction plan is
under full operation. the chief
of staff explained, $4,000 men
each day will be released from
the army.
Regarding the return OF troops
in France, General March said the
order in which the divisions will
| be withdrawn is being left to Gen
eral PeTshing. 1t is the intention
of the war department, however,
so far as is practicable to return
each division to the locality from
which the majority of its men came
and to parade the division in ad-
jacent cities so that the people may
have a chance to give fitting well
comes.
AS an example, he said, the New
England soldiers might be brought
/ to Camp Devens and parade in
/ Boston and other cities.
wounded to Return First.
Orders have been cabIed to Gen
eral Pershing to begin the return
at once of all casuals, sick and
wounded, who can be moved and
/ cOnyalesCents. A steady stream OF
these men should begin immedi-
ateIy to cross the Atlantic.
Camps at home Will be cleared
out to prepare for the return of the
eXpeditionary forces, and the gen
eral indicated that the process
would be expedited. A unit of reg
ular troops will be left at each
camp to guard and police it iu
preparation for the arrival of the
overseas unit.
viii Honor "RainbOW" Boys.
Because of its unusual compost
ton, General March said, and its
brilliant record at the front, the
Forty-second (Rainbow diyision)
viii be given special consideration
in the rehabilitation plans. The
purpose of the department was not
outlined, specifically, but the I'm
preston was gained that the divi-
sion viii be paraded in Washington
before it is mustered out.
Steps already have been taken to-
ward the organization OF the perma-
nent army. All men now in the
army have been or will be offered
an honorable discharge from the
emergency enlistment and an I'm
mediate rcglHstment in the new
forces. A furlOugh of one month
will be given as an incentive to re
enlistment.
Bonus for All.
It was announced that congress
VIII be asked to give each man dis
charged from the army regardless
Of whether he reeulists, a bonus OF
one months salary. General March
pointed out also that all soldiers
are entitled under law, 10 wear
their uniforms for three months aft
CT discharge. This will make less
plying civilian clothing To the de-
modified army.
The return Of commissioned per-
sOnnel Of the army to civilian life.
General March said, would be eff
fected by dividing the present list
of officers into three classes: those
who desire commissions in the reg
Llar army. those who are willing 90
hold themselves available for future
service as reserve officers and those
who desire honorable discharge
from the service.
Instructions have been issued 10
the army staff corps to carry out
reduction in their commissioned
and enlisted personnel lists, keep
ing pace with the reduction OF the
line forces
VIII Hurry Casualty Lists
General Pershiug has been di-
rected TO expedite complete cuE-
ualty lists OF his forces, showing
,he names of very man killed OF
wounded or missing up 20 IL "a. m
Nov. Il General March would rot
hazard an estimate as 10 what the
final total would be-
Replying 10 a question as 10 tho
number of American prisoners ia
Germany. he said official records up
TO OcI. 10 gave the total as 5.T3S-
Yanks Held - Miles.
General March sketched the OIL
cial line held by the allied armies
and the Americans along the west
front when the fighting stopped.
The front held by the First and
Second American armies az that
hour measured 50 miles or the