New-York tribune., 1919-01-28
Entire Army
May Be Home
In Six Months
Return and Decentralization
of 100000 Troops in
That Time Is New Plan
Bring 10000 Monthly
Veterans Last TO Arrive:
All Here Now OUT in
Month, Says Gen. March

WASHINGTON, Jan. o. Return
home and demobilization within six
months OF all the remaining 800 900
troops overseas are possible under plans
worked out by the War Department
and laid before the Senate Military
Affairs Committee to-day by General
March, chief Of staff. Should the
President decide upon a force Of ap-
proximately ten divisions as an army
Of occupation, General March said, the
task could be completed in less time
At the same time, General March an
nounced that the plans Of the War De
partment contemplate the demobiliza-
ton within thirty days Of every one
of the $4,000 men in the home train
ing camps, except q small number re-
taired for "overhead duty"
Return Of the troops in France, in
volving the transportation to this coun-
trv of 300 900 men monthly, would be
possihle, General March said. by the
use. in addition to American tonnage,
Of ships allotted by the Allies and the
German passenger tonnage to be placed
N service soon under terms of the
armsticc and later agreements.
To Hold Veterans Until Last
General March indicated that the re
turn OF a number Of the veteran di-
visions must not be expected soon. He
told the committee General Pershing
and the War Department had agreed
that the army of occupation should be
composed of experienced divisions, so
they would mot unduly excite the Ger
mans" and would be "able to run over
them if necessary"
The length of the period during
which an army of occupation must be
maintained, War Department officials
have said Tands entirely on decisions
reached by the associated governments
at the peace conference and upon CON
ditions in Germany.
Discussing demobilization plans,
generally, with the committee. General
March said retention Of an American
standing army of 100000 was pro
posed
Standing Army of 100000
we don't ever expect to reduce be
low 900 men if we can help 1t,
ne said.
Tonnage sufficient to transport 800,
600 men monthly will be available, he
explained, through ships allotted by
the Allies combined with German pas
senger tonnage, and the negotiations
are practically completed
With about 800 900 Americans
still overseas, the chief of staff SAID
4 shipping capacity Of 100000 monthly
should make It possible to return and
demobille all within six months.
"If the President agrees to leave ten
divisions, whatever number, in .he
army of occupation,' he SAID, eve can
make it in less time. From the be
ginning. General Pershing was in
structed TO return mon as fast as ship
ping was available"
Speaking of the 7S5,O0o men still in
camp at home. General March said:
Every single man Will be out Of
camp within ono month from to-day.
oxceDt those retained for overhead
duty
Several Senators said they had re-
ceived many complaints because
divisions which had seen long service
overseas apparently were to be the
last sent home.
This policy. General March said. was
strictly in accordance with military
plans to hold experienced men in the
army Of occupation, adding:
at viii keep men who viii not un-
duly excite the Germans or will be
able TO run over them if necessarv