El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1919-08-14
LACK Of POLICY
CAUSES DISSENT
Congressman Criticise At
titude Of the Secretary
of War.

Washington, D. c.. Aug 14.-Undal
the announced policy OF the war de-
partment. the army is TO be reduced
to the strength authorized by the ma
tional defence act before October l.
The secretary OF war has taken the
position that even a force Of $4,000
cannot be maintained with the ap-
populations made by congress. Con-
gressional leaders have protested
against this policy and are insisting
that with the proper distribution OF
the funds. It would be possible to
maintain a larger force. The bill was
passed upon the assumption that
there would be a gradual reduction in
the army strength to $4,000
In this connection. the secretary OF
war is being blamed bp congress for
the dealy in adopting permanent
military policy Attention is being
called to the fact that no recommen-
dation for a permanent policy have
come from the department, and that
unofficial statements have been made
that the department would not be
ready to make its recommendations
until the treaty of peace was ratified.
The inference has been thrown out
from administration sources that the
military policy Of the country depend
largely upon the character OF the
covenant Of the league Of nations
For Universal Training.
When he was abroad. chairman
julius Kahn, Of the house committee
on military affairs. on a number Of
occasions announced that conditions
in Europe were such as to make IL OF
vital Importance for the United States
TO adopt a military policy based upon
universal training Chairman WaQs-
worth. who also made an extended
trip through Europe took similar
view, and both of the chairmen are
supported by the advocates OF prepar-
edness- Their support IS not con
fined to the Republican side Of the
house and senate.
7 am not a pacifist." said chair
man Kahn, land neither are the ma
5Ority Of the members Of the house
committee on military affairs We
simply want an accounting from the
war department as 10 the expendi-
lures Of army appropriations during
the war we have appropriated in lump
sums with scarcely asking any ques-
tons as TO what it was to be expended
for. In fact. millions have been ex-
pended for which the war department
has given no account to congress
Feared Decentralization.
THE authorities Of the war depart
ment were never able to give any sat
fsfactory explanation as to why the
army ElQl4A De AAaAAAAAnE4 aA q
strength Of 10000. The members Of
the house became convinced that If
the war department was given apprO-
priation for 100000 men. that de-
mobilization would be delayed. The
soldiers wanted TO come home and the
people demanded that the army de-
mobilize at the earliest possible date.
7 believe that II the war depart
ment wanted to retain a sufficient
corps Of emergency officers in the
service. TO complete the demobiliza-
ton. II could find funds from the ap-
propriations that have been made 10
pay them. I doubt whether the sweep
ing reductions that have been author
lied by the department is necessary
All that congress was seeking aside
from a reduction from all unneces-
sary expenses was the early demob-
ilization OF the army. I am delight
ed to see that the war department has
awakened to this fact.
with early rehabilitation pro-