New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1919-01-04
B a k G T. " mis-
'StopCalo Army
u [ ) @ @ , @ @ @
More Soldiers Will
Be Discharged From Duly
Within Next Five Weeks
House Hears His Views
Secretary Says No Decision
Has Yet Been Reached on
Universal Military Service

WASHINGTON Jan. 8. NO de
clslon has been reached Inv The Wa,
department on the question of uni
versai military service, Secretary
BAKER told the House Military Com
'hittee to-day, and he indicated that no
UeNnlte project for permanent mill
'ary establishment would be presented
70 Congress until the peace conference
mad concluded its work.
When asked whether it would be
necessary to keep large American
force IN Europe for at least two years,
the Secretary said: We hope that is
not true; we are not planning for it,
He said 100000 men had been dis
charged from the army since the ar
mlstlce was signed and that 4 million
more men would be discharged within
the next five weeks.
Mr.. Baker gave notice that bill
authorizing regular amy Of 100000
men to be raised by voluntary enlist
ment would be submitted shortly to
Congress. together with estimates for
appropriations. This army, he said.
was IN the nature Of a temporary mill
tary establishment, described as a
'stopgap army which would tide
over the period until peace is re
established
Asks Congresses Advice
he Secretary's statement was made
during a conference he sought with
the committee in order to Law before
1T the question of the disposition to
be made of three artillery training
camps. those at Fayetteville, n. c.,
Columbus, Ga, and West Point, XIV.
lie said it was necessary that de
clslon be reached as TO whether these
sites were to be purchased for per
lnanent camps, and he was unwilling
to proceed without the advice of Con
gress.
In regard to keeping the sixteen ma
tional army environments and some Of
the national guard camp sites, Mr.
Baker said it was his personal judg-
ment that the cantonncnt sites should
all be purchased, to be held for di-
visional training centres for whatever
army the nation might decide to main
tain.
Questioning brought out the state
ment that the War Department did
loC anticipate keeping any large pro-
portion of the 10000 men for the
regular army in Europe for any length
Of time.
The question of universal military
training was brought up by Represent
ative Kahn, of California, who will be
chairman Of the committee when the
Republicans organize the next House.
Mr.. Kahn said the whole question Of
the future Of the environments seemed
to him to be involved with the perma-
nent military policy.
as it the policy Of the War Depart
ment," he asked. "to favor universal
military training?"
THE War Department." Secretary
Baker replied. 'has no policy on that
subject. Personally, [ do not believe
II would be wise to attempt to settle
the question of our permanent army
policy now or before the peace confer
ence has arrived at its conclusions"
Action Soon Asked
Representative Kahn asked if the
army of 100000 men was in Mr..
Bakers opinion only temporary estab
lishment The Secretary said he so re-
garded it, and pointed out that steps
for reorganization were Immediately
necessary. since the existing law limits
any enlistment in the army to the
duration of the war.
Mr. Baker said it was proposed to
continue permanently the army rate of
pay fixed for the war period, practi-
cally 81 day for privates.
81 have a feeling that if the volun-