The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1919-04-01
NECESSARY IN EUROPE

Editor Tho star our iikhN On
the policy ef the government Ia ~
tanning men IN tho military service
in France and Belgium for the pur'
pose cf building roads, indicates
that you have entered upon Il either
with insufficient Information or with
too little consideration.
As YOU probably know, the army
tries to he. in 40 far AK It's life and
operations are concerned "A acif.sun.
tanned unit 10 does all the work
connected with making It's campo.
store houses, and transportation.
except for construction OF pcrma.
ncnt character. Tho work Il a
wholesome and beneficial part OF the
daily round OF mon. who. otherwise.
are engaged upon a too monotonous
round Of drills. or else who must be
given work TO keep up their physical
condition and keep them out OF mis-
chief. At this time. whom they have
recently finished very vigorous
round OF military training and have
very little future prospect OF fight
Ing. too much drill is most dlstaste-
D AMA anu AfAN WI ~ WIN - hAtFtH -
suit In some temporary physical dts
comfort. Is decidedly beneficial.
You should not regard these men
as being kept there for the purpose
OF building roads. but as being kept
there because IL may be necessary to
use them ia tho enforcement OF the
terms Of the peace treaty" In
fact. most military students are OF
the opinion that both the United
States and Britain are demobliizing
altogether too fast. In view Of the
very unsettled conditions In Europe.
since Il may be necessary 10 garri'
son large part 81 Germany and
Austria and 70 operate good many
OF the governmental agencies. and
especially the means OF Transports.
ton and custom houses. until a
large part OF the indemnity - paid,
large force will be needed for
these purposes. During this whole
period Il viii also be necessary 20
have a large mobile army capable
OF enforcing order and overcoming
any serious uprisings. SO that while
many OF the men must be disap-
pointed at not Immediately return
ing home. they should be patient. re.
alliEing that they are sim serving
In a time OF war and that their ser.
vice IS. at least. as useful. tho. Of
course. not SO thrilling as Il was dur.
ing tho period of active fighting.
Much OF the dissatisfaction has been
accustomed by miscouception Of the
condition which now obtains. An
armiatice IL merely a temporary ecs-
sation OF hostilitica. and the state Of
war continues until the peace
| treaties" are actually In effect All
the cnlistments were 10 terminate a,
the end OF the emergency. 1. e. after,
I peace was signed. and IN. dis.
! charges which have recently been
given were because the services OF
the men could be spared and the
[ government was disposed TO cut
down It's military force as rapidly
as possible.
The failure OF congress TO pass
the army bin." which would have
provided regular army OF 600.
coo men. Il responsible for keeping
many men In tho service who
would have otherwise been dis
! charged. IL was tho intention OF the
war department to replace the army
OF occupation by regular army
l troops. and II congress had passed
the act most Of the men would have
been under orders to embark by this
/ time.
To agitate for tho discharge Of
these men. under present conditions.
merely adds 90 discomfort OF those
who are thoughtiessly complain
ing because they have no other trou-
blcs to kick about. for the agitation
can be OF no benefit and il harmful
in increasing the already large num-
Der OF disseminated men.
Respectfully yours.
tSigneh l.. -. LEWIS.
Late Major. Air Service.
7oT Securities Bldg.