The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1918-10-31
j. S. WAR PHRASES
BINDING IN PEACE

The country. Congress, officials, and
the army for many months have heard
and read the words, "for the present
emergency in connection with the
organization OF the army without fully
realizing just what the words mean.
However, the words were not put
into the military legislation made
necessary by the war by accident, and
there is every reason to believe they
will serve a useful purpose which will
he fully recognized whenever the time
comes that an armistice is arranged, a
peace conference held and q peace
treaty or treaties signed.
The vast existent army OF the Uni
ted States is in being not simply for
the war. but "for the present emery
ency," or for the existing emergency.
A New EIpreSsIOn.
This is q new expression in the
military history OF the country. The
force of it will be appreciated II, as
appears probable, It will BE needful
for the United States to keep a strong
army in Europe not merely through
the time when peace comforting Is
going on. but for some time after
peace is established.
1t Is quite conceivable that after
peace is declared the allies will be
unwilling for some time to lay aside
their weapons. They are quite likely
to want to stay on their guard until
they see for a certainty that Germany
is not plotting mischief. not planning
another sudden spring 1T France the
moment the eyes OF tie world are
turned away.
Armies OF occupation along the
French and italian frontiers and In
Belgium may have to BE- Iployed for
an indefinite period, as ~ eli as In the
Balkans and in Turkey.
The French, Belgian. AMI Italian
frontiers, OF course, will be The ones
which directly concern this country.
How to dispose of the armies OF the
allies for the period through which
there are peace negotiations and for
months later is sure to be a real
problem. No doubt the best brains
Of the allied war council and allied
commanders will be utilized in solv-
ing 1t. American troops, necessarily,
Will have z large part to perform.
Postwar ProbIemH-
The emergency" for which the
American army is organized will
cover this trying period. II the troops
were simply in the service ''for the
war" the Government would have
trouble in keeping many of the troops
once there was peace treaty.
Not only is IT or value under such
circumstances that the army Is not
organized simply for the war, but
there is this further fact to be con-
sidered: The return OF the American
troops from abroad and their de- 3
will be a work of much |
time and magnitude. The period |
needed for that work will be a part !
Of the emergency" The Government /
will have the same firm hold on the |
army through that period as If war /
were actually on.
The significance OF the fact that the |
army is engaged for the present I
emergency" is fully appreciated in /,
one quarter. namely, the general stan |
The staff does not know when the j
war is going to end, but II IL looking /
ahead 10 the vast work II will have /
to perform whenever rehabilitation /
and the return OF the troops are or Z
derod. and il will have plans made |
long ahead. II Is pointed out by army 4
men that the close Of the civil war /
found many OF the troops unwilling /
70 serve further. Some Of thJm did l
not even wait to be mustered out. In |
the present case, there win be no 1
such unorganizcd performance. The |
troops needed will be kept while /
needed, and the process OF dcmobili- (,
zatIon will be as orderly, and proha-
bly, more so. as formation Of tho !
a rr1y has been