New-York tribune., 1918-11-12
Greatest Task Of History In
Demobilization Barely
Under Way
Draft Calls Stop
On Official Order
Troops Abroad Will Be
Used for Many Months
in Police Duty

to-day than the greatest problem OF
the kind. this country has ever been
called upon to solve came up for dis
cussion--the rehabilitation and re-
patriation of the expeditionary forces
in France and elsewhere at the earliest
possible moment, and the gradual re-
turn Of the navy to a peace basis.
Neither of these great tasks can be
accomplished for months. The last Of
the American soldiers abroad may not
return TO their homes for two years,
owing to the necessity of holding bases
in Germany, of doing police duty in
Russia and elsewhere, and of assisting
in the assemblage and disposition of
war materials. The navy may be called
upon for service in patrolling the seas
and in the removal of mine barrages
which will employ it's entire force until
long after the bulk Of the land forces
have been brought home. Demobiliza
tion of the sea fo,.es is not, therefore,
of such immediate csnccrn.
Early to-day an os'deasfrcn the Pres
ident to Provost Marshal General
Crowder directed the cancellation of all
outstanding draft calls and the setting
aside of the November calls. This will
stop the movement during the next five
days of $4,000 men, already under way.
The November calls would have brought
100000 into service.
Many Start to Camps
A small number of men in Eastern
states commenced entraining at a. m.
to-day for cantonments, and the can
collation. came too late to effect their
status. They will be considered as in
the army, until demobilized.
Men not yet entrained, whether spe-
cially inducted or assembled by general
call, for whom the day and hour of
service had been set by draft boards,
will be considered as honorably dis
charged and SO paid.
The American Army had reached u
total strength OF 1854, ,677 men when
hostilities ceased to-day, according to
official figures at the War Department..
OF that number 100000 had been
sent to France. Italy or Russia. The
remainder were under arms in camps
IN this country.
Calls for the navy and marine corps
are not affected by the cancellation
and entrainment of men for these
services will continue as ordered.
Secretary Daniels announced to-day
that no immediate steps would be
taken toward demobilizing any part of
the naval forces of the United States.
1t was limited at the Navy Depart
rent that the United States, the
sufferer from the war of all the great
powers, might be called upon to do
the greatest share of navy police work
for enforcement of armistice terms.
But the Secretary announced tonight
that he does not regard the conveying
of shipping to European ports neces-
sary. now that hostilities have ceased
10000 from Navy Now in Europe
About 10000 members OF, the naval
establishment. including the marines
with General Perish ing's army, are now
IN Europe. Mr.. Daniels said with
drawol of the marines would be in
accord with the army's rehabilitation
plans, adding that in all previous wars
where marines have been employed
they remained usually longer near the
force.
Early orders withdrawing from SER
vice the naval coastal patrol service
from Canada to Brazil may be ex-
pected, Mr.. Daniels indicated, although
plans in this regard are not yet com
peted
1t was pointed out that the navy
has been charged with the duty OF
training crews for the great numbers
ol merchant ships being commissioned
by the Shipping Board. The Secretary
anticipates continuing that work until
some new plan is provided Since it is
vltal element, both of rehabilitation
ana reconstruction work in Europe,
,hat great merchant tonnage should
DC Immediately available, it was said
10 be improbable to Mr.. Daniels that
any reduction OF the naval forces being
lla,hea TO man. such ships could be
unuertaken in the near future
The majority Of the navy's tenn
yorary construction work ashore has
peen completed, and work on buildings
and other shore facilities now in prog
ress Us largely concentrated upon the
snrse great naval stations at Newport,
X. l.; Great Lakes, Illinois, and Hamp-
ton Roads, Virginia. The facilities
shere VIII always be- needed by the
navy, Mr.. Daniels said and no curtail-
sNH% Va tuis SVHolTuctlOn work Is TO
be expected.
Secretary Baker later announced
Inat so far as practical all men who
rave been called and who have not
yet completed their training will be
Immediately turned back TO civilian
\ life.
Mr.. Baker made this statement after
y conference which included the heads
~,tf practically every important bureau
OF the War Department.
All that can be said now" he said.
is that further calls and inductions
under the draft have been suspended.
ard that so far as we can those men
who have been called, but who have
not completely passed through the
camps, will be turned back to civilian
life"
kilograms to the $500 or more local
draft boards cancelling calls were pre-
pared two days ago, at General Crow
der's orders, and only the word Of the
General staff was needed to release
them.
Hold Boards Ready
II is pointed out IN the orders to
local boards that their work is to CON
tinue, and that the draft machinery
will remain in readiness to function
quickly again, however remote the pos
aibility OF it's necessity.
Practically every man in the 800 600
called TO enter service in November
was a registrant on September I2,
when The eighteen 20 forty-fve year
agc limit became effective. More than