South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-12-03
By Associated Press

the army and Of the war department
itself. sec'y Baker declared today in
his annual report. He recommended
that the emergency organization. re-
duced 10 the peace-time size. be
made permanent. and approved the
general staff bill for a regular es-
adjustment adequate in size 20 be
the nucleus OF any military mobiliza-
zion the country may be called upon
- make" and backed up by a sys-
Gem OF universal training.
In such a policy" Mr.. Baker said.
~the accent IS upon the citizen and
not the soldier; the officers becom-
ang a permanent corps OF experts
end the men a body temporarily de-
voting a portion OF their time 20 mill
vary training In order that they may
enter civil life with a sense OF ma
fional service and with superior
equipment for success"
Kind OF Army is Important
1T Is difficult TO believe" he said
denying any danger OF r0Iitarism.
rthat an army could be formed OF
&mericans. educated in our common
schools, raised in the free and demo-
cratic atmosphere OF our institutions.
which would still be hostile TO those
institutions and liberties. The world
war has shown quite clearly that
armies reflect the spirit OF the peo-
PIE from whom they come rather
than create a spirit OF their own, so
that the size OF the army is not so
important from the point or view
row under consideration as the kind
Of an army"
The seiective service law was ac-
>epted as a fair means OF assigning
men TO military service I'm time Of
war Mr. Baker said, but compulsory
service in time of peace would be
"a poor substitute for the volunteer
principle properly applied" Rails
ing a standing army by financial in
ducement is too costly to contem-
plate. he added. leaving only the
method OF making enlistment in
the army an educational opportuni-
"" 70 furnish the troops.
Need an Efficient Army.
The recommendation for an in
creased standing army. he declared.
should not be taken 10 indicate "A
dlsinclination toward the prospect
OF disarmament
Those who know the spirit OF the
American army" the secretary said.
will not ascribe to it any prOvoca-
tive temper. There is glory left in
the career and the sacrifice of the
soldier, but the mild and spectacular
contests OF an earlier age have be
come a stern and cruel business. and
while there IS cheerful willingness to
encounter the privations and make
the sacrifices which war demands.
the men OF the American army are
abreast with enlightened men every
where IN the hope that more humane
and rational processes Of adjustment
Nill supersede the waste and loss OF
armed conflict. They are, however.
OF the belief that so long as It IS ne
cessary for US to maintain an army
Mt all we are not justified in hav-
fng an inefficient army. and their re-
concentrations are 70 be viewed as
Eetting them apart as men who. by
reason OF their experience, are quail
Fed to speak upon the provision
svhich should be made for the com
mon good and the common protec-
bion should the test OF war become
Unavoidable"
A Physical Asset.
The plan recommended. Mr.. Baker
laid. looks to the establishment Of
systems Of schools teaching the for
nnal branches OF education and add
ing TO them the skilled trades. $50
that al the end or a term or enlist
snent, the young man entering in his
hineteenth year viii go back TO civil
life with the physical set-up which
Ehe open, athletic life OF the army
gives and with the education and
training which viii make him more
valuable in civil pursuits than he
Bould otherwise have been" Social
Ind recreatiOnal opportunities also
must be supplied. he said. so that
bhe graduate from the army will
bring with him the social virtues
which result from education Of mind
Rnd hand acquired in an environ
haent made stimulating by the pres
Snce OF a high purpose and sense
- service. and generous association
with his fellows"
The military policy recommend
ed BY the war department therefore.
involves a new army created with n
nsw spirit, having wide civic use
fuineSs. and OF such size and organ
iHStion as 70 De an adequate reliance
IN case OF need" the report said
PerShing Co Report.
Mr.. Baker said the operations in
France would be dealt with in the
special report being prepared 10y
Gen. Pershing Not even the Allied
war council. he said. had rea rized
the effect upon Germany of the ac-
CELEBRATED movement OF troops and
supplies from the United States. and
AL plans had been prepared for "A
vigorous campaign in the spring of
1918
Had not the great troop move
ment OF the summer OF 1919 been
sarried out" he said. "the practical
b continuous battle on the western
front from March 60 November
would not have been possible. The
saving TO the world in thus shorten
ing the war is incalcuiable alike in
life and treasure"
The text OF the initial order 20