The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-11-11
GRADUAL LETUP

and submarines in accordance with
the terms of the armistice, the Ameri-
can ,dreadnaughts with the British
grand fleet together with most of the
.destroyers and other submarine hunt
ing and conveying craft will return.
Even with hostilities ended however,
much other naval work aside from
that of taking over and guarding Ger
man and Austrian naval vessels re-
mains to be done. Removal OF the
thousands of mines laid by the allied,
American and German navies Will
form no small part of this work ana
undoubtedly the fleet of mine sweep.
ing and laying craft sent out over seas
by the United States will assist in this
gigantic task. The greatest mine field
is that put down in the North sea as
a barrage against German submarines.
The mines were manufactured IN tnls
country and were laid largely ny
American ships.
With the return of all German sub
marines to their bases. allied and
American shipping once more may sail
the seven seas without fear OF mo
lestation and disregard OF the reeu-
latioEs made necessary by Germany
unrestricted warfare. There Wall De
no more running at night wlthoue
lights. with the attendant dangers OF
collisions and zigzagging and diva
ton from established shipping routes
Wait to Plan.
They could not be planned in ad-
vance, as has been the breaking OF
military forces of the United states,
Great Britain and France and the or
derby return Of the millions OF these
soldiers to their civilian status.
In this country the problem has
been taken up with reference to its
two chief phases the strictly military
having to do with the rehabilitation
of the army and it's safe return to
America and the industry which deals
only with the infiltration Of the SOL
diers into the ranks of labor after they
had been released from the army. A
third problem of rehabilitation will
deal with the modified industries OF
the United States.
The military authorities have had
under consideration for some time the
subject of rehabilitation of the army
but the plan which will be used has
not yet been officially approved.
Breaking up of the American expedi-
tionary forces now numbering two and
one-quarter millions of men will begin
in France. If this plan is adopted.
Break Into Segments.
The program entails the gradual
breaking up of the large military units
into segments governed solely by the
location of the home of the individual
soldier.
The United States will be divided in
to two districts, each of which is to
from Galveston to Bangor. Commad-
ing officers of divisions will be in
structed to detach, for instance men
from the first rehabilitation district
which might include men from Maine
and Massachusetts, and entrain them
for a specified French port where ado
quate shipping will be waiting. These
vessels will proceed directly to the
ports selected for the first district and.
disembarking their passengers. will re-
turn on a routine schedule to meet the
next detachment Of soldiers for that
territory
Control the Return.
By carefully controlling the return
tng shipments, military authorities be-
lieve they can to a great degree, regu-
late the flood of discharged soldiers
SO that no single section of the coun-
try will be swamped.
The work of returning the soldiers
to their former civilian status in the
industrial life of the nation has been
turned over to the department of Ia
Dor and is being handled by a special
committee headed by Felix Frank
furter. An organization Is ready for
the use of the authorities, in the same
machinery which has carried out the
provision of the work or fight, order
and it is understood that this will be
used largely in the task of finding po-
sitions for the men. Under this plan
each local draft board will be con-
stituted a central labor office for the
district in which it is situated and will
place the men who were sent by it to
the army, in the positions found va
cant.
Congress Must Act.
While full authority Is held by the
war department for the Rehabilitation
of the armed forces, the return of thu
nations modified industries to
basis II fhnnOht will necaSSi
tate important legislation by congress
to prevent a period of acute disrup
ton in business. Officials here expec
that congress will be called upon sooI
to consider a disqualification bill,
which will deal with this and kindred
problems. Designation of the units o
the army to remain in France over tn,
period of settlement has not been de
cided by the war department.
should be realized officials point out
that even after terms of peace hav'
been signed, a work of stupendou
magnitude will remain. Millions o
tons of material comprising railroad
equipment as well as arsenal supplies
repair and refitting plants and tn
strictly military accoutrements. mus
be collected and invoiced preparation.
to their disposal. either to one of TIL,
allied governments or re-shipment t,
the United States An army of con
siderable size will be needed for thi
ended
Call for Volunteers.
1t has been suggested that the unit
to remain in France for this work b.
obtained by calling for volunteers from
the expeditionary forces Under ex
listing law, authority is given for tn,
maintenance of a regular army up t.
q strength of about $4,000. Militar,
men believe. however. that a mucl
larger force will be required in Eu
rope for possibly two years after tn
signing of the armistice.
The British government began it
preparations for disqualification nearl,
a year ago. Its plans have been 81
thoroly worked out that when a dres
rehearsal was held recently a unit O
the British army in France was sen
thru the machinery to its final opera
lions where each man found himsel
in his native town, clad in civilian
clothes. possessing government
voucher which could he cashed at a n