Abbeville progress. (Abbeville, Vermilion Parish, La.) 1913-1944, 1919-10-25

ne accomplished by TINS establishment
between now ana June "a, 1920 The
army has important work 10 DO before
that date. and the retention Of tenn
porary officers must be based upon
their fitness to do this work rather
than as "A reward for their services
during the war
Ranks Must Be Readjusted.
The war department has fixed the
number of officers that there may be
in each grade of the 1900 officers
thereby terminating the opportunity
for extensive promotion that has OK
listed during the war. In getting In,
$4,000 officers into these grades, Their,
must be sacrifices of rank and PAY
throughout the service; necessary
consequence of readjuSting the ranE
of officers from that held in a military
force having 100000 officers To thos,
they can properly hold in a force hay
ing only $1,000 officers.
The temporary officers TO be retained
will be largely applicants for perma
nent appointment. These officers
along with all others have reached
grades in the large army raised durin-
the war that they cannot expect t.
hold in the small peace-time force. y
determination Of the decrease in rank
of these officers in order to properly
fit them into the new commissioned
force will be made by the war depart,
ment and announced in orders.
Much Treaty Legislation Needed.
Ratification of the treaty of peace
with Germany will not end the
responsibility of congress in con.
nectiOn with the pact. There will
still remain the question as to how nu-
merous provisions of the treaty are to
be administered. 1t is reasonably GER
tain that congress, in enacting legisla-
ton that will be necessary in order to
put into effect many provisions of the
treaty so far as the United States is
concerned, will see to it that broad
powers are retained by the legislative
body, or at least by the senate. Assum-
Ing that the treaty, with the League of
Nations covenant included will be rati-
fled with certain reservations. ii will
be necessary for the United States
to have representatives on large num-
Der of international tribunals.
The treaty is silent as to how these
Representatives of the government shall
be appointed. Should congress fail to
act, ~ -presidenae-Assa- apps8A in
every Instance. But congress, sGtnss
leaders in the two houses say, has no
thought of failing to act. 1t will pro-
vide, through legislation, IL present
plans are carried out. that all repre-
sentatives Of the United States on the
international tribunals shall be nomi-
mated by the president and confirmed
by the senate.
When the treaty goes into effect
there will be opened up an entirely
new field of international activity. 1t
Is q field that will call for trained
men of the best type. Congress will
fix the salaries Of these men and will,
of course. have TO appropriate money
to meet the expenses Of the United
States In participating in the numer
Gus new international activities.
Will Require Many Experts.
There will have to be mixed arbi-
trail tribunal established between each
of the allied and associated powers on
the one hand and Germany on the
other within three months after the
ratification of the treaty. Each of these
tribunals is TO consist Of three men,
bers. The United States will, In case
the treaty is ratified, appoint one mem
Der of the tribunal which is to repre-
sent It, Germany will appoint one men,
Der, and the two thus appointed will
choose the third. There will also have
to be created a permanent commission
which will advise the council of the
League of Nations on military, naval
and air questions. 1t will also be nee
essary for the United States to name
members of more than a score of other
commissions that are to deal with
problems rowing out Of the war.
A typical commission is the one pro-
vided for to deal with the Saar basin.
This commission, 1t will be recalled, is
to consist of five members chosen by
the council Of the League of Nations
and will include one citizen of France,
one native inhabitant of the Saar ba-
sin. not a citizen of France, and three
members belonging to three countries
other than France or Germany. In
thic Dorticulor case thp treaty docs nor