Evening journal., 1918-12-06
MARCH WORKS On
new ARMY PLAN
Chief of Staff Carefully
Avoids Any Details in
His Annual Report
UNIVERSAL SERVICE
MAY BE AGREED ON

WASHINGTON, Dec. 6.--When hos
Utilities ceased the American military or
ranization was In It's full stride and had
accomplished what the Teuton COM
manders believed TO have been an I'M
possibility. Starting from almost total
uupreparedness In April. 1917. In sixteen
months the entire resources OF the ma
tlons were placed under central control
This amazing feat was accomplishing
almost the impossible. from a military
point of view, General March, Chief o!
Stan OF the army, pointed out In his
annual report to the Secretary OF War,
made public yesterday.
Without the prompt passage OF the
draft law, wrote General March, The
men necessary for vlctoryzeould not
have been supplied. General March
Justified his consolidation OF the Regu-
lar Army, the National Guard and the
National Army into the United States
Army. The varying titles were source
OF possible disturbance from a military
point OF view, and as all replscements
were made with drafted men the single
title was thought best.
There was, In fact no actual differ
snce between these divisions with re-
spect TO efficiency" the report stated.
-All have done high grade work, from
whatever source drawn. All have shown
courage and capacity for quick absorp-
ton Of the fundamentals OF modern
military training and Irresistible dash
and force In actual lighting"
The change from the seniority system
to the selectlve system In promoting Of
fcers, inaugurated by General March, Is
referred TO by the Chief OF Staff as an
other move Of the greatest consequence
from military point OF view.
Without this principle" his report
said, "the success which has been at
tanned would have been literally out OF
the question"
The report then gave the details Of
the plan formulated by General March
for placing eighty divisions In France
BY June 80. 1919. with O reserve OF
eighteen divisions In this country. Car
rylng out this plan made necessary the
extension OF the draft age limits TO t6
and as years and the appropriation OF
seven billion dollars more than the
former program called for.
General March then detailed his. reor-
ganizatlon Of the General Staff From
an organization limited by law to nifty
1--WE officers, not more than half OF whom
could be stationed IN Washington since
the war began and under the necessity
Of providing an extensive and co-ordl-
mated efficiency organization, the Cen
eral stan has grown to 1922 officers and
the clerical force has been increased
from i07 to 1854. The report then gave
IN great detail and at considerable
length the growth OF the organization OF
The branches of the General Staff and
the work accomplished.
General March said the General Staff
was now at work on a plan for the
reorganization OF the army on a peace
basis. No hint OF what the plan VIII
be is contained In the report. The high
tribute to the efficiency OF the drafted
men and the absolute necessity OF the
draft law IN winning the war. cOnsld-
cred with this statement led to the be-
lief that universal military training and
service will form a part OF the new
plan.
General March concluded his report
with a tribute to the American forces
in France. their progressive develop
ment In military experience and ability,
the fine staff work, and the modesty
and gallantry Of the individual soldier"
General Pershlng and his command
''have earned the thanks OF the Ameri-
can people," the report stated
Appended 10 the report Is a chr0n0l-
ogy of the major operations Of the
American forces in France. It begins
with the occupation Of a sector In the
vicinity OF Breteull. northwest OF
Montdidier, by the First Division on
April 1929 OF this year. II covers every