The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1918-11-25

him in reference to the rehabilitation
OF troops, has given out the following
with reference to what is being
done after the armistice was formally
signed, / have issued orders in accord
ance with a plan which we have evol-
we'd for the prompt reduction OF our
forces in the United States / first or
dered the rehabilitation of the eevel-
opment battalions throughout the
country. They are Il in number and
embrace in strength 9S.i99 men. The
second order carries out the demobili-
cation Of conscientious DIRECTORS who
are not serving sentences. Third, the
Spruce production division; fourth,
central training schools for officers,
with certain notifications; fifth, the
United States guards, who comprised
something like $4,000 on paper; sixth.
railway troops; seventh. depot brig
AIDES; eighth. replacement camps; min
tn, and last, combat divisions.
1100,000 Men i'm United States
we have in the United States now
something like 100000 men, and to
muster out force Of that kind. Of
course, will take some time Each man
mas TO be examined physically, his fin
al accounts made, and a copy of his
medical record transferred to the War
Risk Insurance Bureau, so that the
men may get compensation they are
entitled to under the act, which must
be properly safeguarded. Great mass
es OF blank forms have been prepared
IN advance, and they are being shipped
TO the various camps for use as these
orders go-into effect
THE orders that have been issued
affect some 100000 men. expect to
muster them out in two weeks. When
the machine is in full operation we ex-
pect to release 10000 men a day.
In handling this problem Of demo5-
fuzation, one OF the features which had
to be considered was the subsequent
retaining OF men for the Regular Army
or what will be the Regular Army
when Congress passes~laws reorganiz-
ing that Army. When the war broke
out there Were only a limited number
OF such men in the service, and the
great number Of men who filled out
these units Were men who voluntarily
enlisted for tNe period of the war. So
we have offered these men who came
in for the period of the war the option |
or re-enlisting if they care to.
Make Attractive Offer
we have offered an immediate hon |
one month upon re-enlistment, and we |
propose to go before Congress and |
ask Congress to give every single man |
who has been honorablv discharged |
one months pay. whatever his grade |
is. as bonus. These men who re-en-
list VIII net lose their bonus. Under |
present laws every man who is dis
charged from the whole Army is en-
titled to wear his uniform for period |
Of three months: that is very nee
esary thing, because the releasing to
civil life of three of four million men
makes it impossible to eiothe in civ
lian clothes so great number So
there will be a period of re-adjust-
nent during which they Will be wear
ng their uniforms. AS men are dis
charged we take UP the question OF the
officers. The officers are listed in this
way: Officers who want to apply for
commissions in the Regular Army will
De considered; officers who want to put
themselves in a class where they can
,e used for future military operations
will be offered commissions in the Re-
serve Corps. The rest of them will be
In this connection I also
ssued an order to all the Staff Corps
hat the discharge of officers and men
must keep pace with the cutting down
II work, and they have been directed
o submit lists of officers and men
rom time to time as they can be
pared for discharge. II
AT the same time as these orders I
we're given for the troops at home, /
abIed General Pershing. directing him |
o return TO the United States On troop g
all the men who are cas- c
als or convalescents, sick and wound