The sun., 1918-11-14
Subject Will Be One of
the Most Important Be-
fore Congress.
PLAN BEING PREPARED
Existing Law Provides for a
Permanent Establishment
of 375,000 Men.

WASHINGTON. Nov. 13.--Plans for the
reorganization of the War Department
and the army itself now are in process
OF formulation by the General STAFF
and soon will be before Secretary
Baker. Orders for the actual break
ing up Of the army cannot be pro-
mulgated until these plans finally are
completed, as the rehabilitation pro-
gramme is dependent to some extent
upon the adoption Of reorganization
policy.
The Secretary has indicated that
new legislation will be necessary to
carry out the reorganization and is ex-
pected to lay q definite programme be-
fore Congress at the earliest possible
moment. This will reopen the whole
question OF universal military train
ing and many officials anticipate n
long legislative struggle before the
passage of the measure
Existing law authorizes the mainte-
rance OF a regular army OF approxi-
mately $4,000 men. While It is not
of American troops that must be EN-
ploved in Europe. even after the peace
treaties have been signed. military men
believe now that the authorized regular
establishment. cannot provide an ade-
uuate force for all purposes at home and
abroad
Only 100000 Obligated.
OF the 100000 men now under arms
probably not more than 1905 are un-
der obligation TO serve beyond the res
toration of peace. There were some 1000
officers and about 10000 men in the
Regular Army when war was declared.
Expiration OF enlistmeIHs, however
probably has served 10 reduce this con-
siderably, and all war time eniistments
are for the war period only.
Thousands OF the officers now in SER
vice are on temporary commissions In
the regulat establishment These COM
missions were issued for a definite PEE
riod of years. and the men might be
held, although the general attitude OF
the Department would not indicate any
intention Of holding such officers against
their will when the war emergency has
passed.
The number OF men necessary to be
maintained In Europe probably will be
worked out by Gen. Pershing's stan. and
since similar calculations for the United
States and Its possessions are being
made here 1t is expected that the size OF
he army, for which II will be necessary
70 provide soon. will be arrived at.
Universal Training Probable.
The General Stars recommendations
as to the way the army is TO he formed
are expected to embody the principle OF
universal military training A bill pre-
pared by the staff just before the United
States entered the war outlined the gen.
ersl scheme which Is likely TO be again
advocated. modified In the light of war
experience and the results OF the opera
ton Of the selective draft system.
At this time II was planned to con-
tinue the garrisons for the Philippines,
Hawaii and Panama on voluntary
basis by selecting men who elected army
life after they had passed through their
periods of training. Outside or these
overseas forces. however, the stan pro-
I.oscd TO remodel the standing army into
a strictly training force, composed OF
officers and on-commissioned officers.
who should be developed into experts In
getting raw material quickly into shape
and through whose hands, year afte:
year. should pass the classes called to
the colors for training.
President Is Uncom mitted.
Both the commissioned and non-com-
NA.Ia nlValR
It was planned. should be recruited from
men who displayed ability during their
training. There is reAson. TO expect that
some similar project will again be
brought forward. although neither Presi-
dent Wilson nor Secretary Baker Is now
committed to universal training as a
national policy. In his last annual re-
port Mr.. Baker said II was not ques-
ton which should pe decided while tho
country was at war.
Demobiliza tion OF the existing Officers
Corps, both line and stan, forms sep
Srate element OF the present problems OF
= ihe War Department 1t is certain that
efforts will be made to keep nneng who
have shown themselves qualified In such
relationship with the Government that
their services can be quickly reobtained
at need. Pending the completion OF
plans designations are being discouraged.
Plans for returning officers to their
civilian status are expected to provlde
for an Army Reserve Officers Corps
similar to that used In building up the
present army. Similarly II is regarded
aa probable that steps toward the or
ganization OF an ample enlisted reserve
will be taken. The form Of the reserve.
aowever. whether by voluntary obliga-
ton or by order. Will depend upon the
military policy 20 be adooted,