South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-11-17


Gen. March, chief of staff,
made this announcement to-
day, outlining the war depart
ment'S plans in answer to the
questions the Country has been
asking since the day the armis-
tice was signed and it became
apparent that the war was over.
He said orders already issued
would send 100000 men back
to civil life within two weeks,
and that when the program was
in full swing, about $4,000
would quit the army daily.
No Prediction of Start.
Fighting divisions of Gen. Perish
ing's army in France will be de
modified as far as possible in their
home communities. The chief of
staff would make no prediction as
! 20 when the first division would
start home. II appears probable.
however. that the flow Of returning
troops cannot be in full tide before
Feb. I. Quarters will be available
for them at the cantonments by that
time. Some officers regard il as nos
sible that certain divisions may he
recalled in advance Of the general
return movement Gen. March in
dicated that the 42nd (rainbow) di-
vision. because il is composed of
men from 26 states, and in recogni-
tion Of the fighting record il has
made in France, would be marked
for special treatment. The 26th
CNew England national guard and
the 41st (sunset) divisions are in
the same class. so il would not cause
surprise. therefore. If these three or
CARNATIONS should be designated by
Gen. Pershing as the first TO return.
With six weeks of 1918 left il is
possible that they may be home be-
fore New Years day
Supplementing Gen. Marchs
statement. Sec'y Baker said il would
not he necessary TO maintain all the
existing cantonments for demobil-
ization purposes. and that study
was now being made Of those desir-
able for that purpose The others.
with all the divisional camps. he in
dicated, viii be abandoned as soon
as the men now occupying them
have been mustered out
Order of DcmObillzation
The demobilization will be carried
out in the following order
First - Development battal-
ions. Il in numbers and COM
prising 9S,199 men.
Second-Conscientio objec-
tors not under arrest.
Third-Spruce production di-
vision.
Fourth - Central training
schools for officers with some
notifications
Fifth-United States guards.
now numbering 135. 900 men.
SiXth-Railway units
seventh, OF brigades
Eighth Placement units
Ninth-Combat divisions
we have in the United States
now something like 100000 men
and to muster out a force Of that
kind OF course, will take come
time" said Gen March Each man
has 10 be examined physically. his
I final accounts made. So that the men
may get compensation they are en-
titled to Blank forms are being
shipped 10 the various camps for
use as these orders 60 into effect
The orders that have already
/ been issued affect some 200, 900 men.
. Z g.-
weeks When the machine is in full
( operation. we expect 10 release So
I OO0 men a day
Subsequent Training. Problem
"In handling this problem OF de
mobilization one Of the features
which had 90 he considered was the
subsequent retaining Of men for the
regular army. or what VIII he the
/ regular army. when congress passes
T the laws reorganizinE that army.
+ When the war broke ont there we're
only a limited number OF such men
. i'm the service and the great number
. of men who filled out these units
were men who voluntarily enlisted
for the period OF the war SO we
\ have offered those men who came
i'm for the period OF the war the op-
tiQn Of re-enlisting If they care 20.
we have offered an immediate
/ honora bic discharge with a furlough
OF one month upon re-enlistment.
and we propose 20 ask congress 10
i give every single man who has been
honora bly, discharged one months
pay. whatever his grade is. as a
bonus Every man who is dis
charged from the army is entitled 10
wear his uniform for "A period OF
three months. that is a very neces-
sarv thing. because the releasing 10
civil life OF three or four million
! ccoNTINUED on PAGE FoITR1