The Cordova daily times., 1919-02-18
SOLDIERS Are
DENIED RIGHT
OF RELEASE

According to advices received from
Fort I,iscum the commanding officer
there refuses to accept Applications
from the men to be discharged, not
withstanding that War Department
regulations issued many weeks ago
would entitle them to release from
service. The regulations promulgated
long ago by the War Department au-
thorizes the discharge Of men from
the service who have positions await
ing them, business that demands their
attention. and for other reasons,
where they make the proof OF the
situation. There are many soldiers,
say discharged men, at Fort L1scum'
who, under the regulations nave a
right to be discharged, and who are
very anxious to be released. But, they
say, the commanding officer refuses
their APPLICATIONS, and the applications
must be made through military chan
nels, which means that they have to
be filed with the company commander.
The War, Department has directed
officers to assist men who desire dis
charges.
In the meantime, men are being dis
charged from the army by the hun
,dreds of thousands throughout the
United States, and the purpose of the
War Department is to release the men
needed elsewhere as fast as they can
show the need. In fact, the War De-
partment is keeping more men than
are needed in the service, only IN
order that it might receive just such
proof as the boys recently discharged
from Fort Liscum say many of the
men at that place are prepared to
furnish, and would furnish If they
had the opportunity. ..
AS a result of this situation, it is
said, great deal of discomfort pre-
walls at Fort Liscum among the en-
listed men. The men recently dis
charged agree that the fault is not
that the War Department or any one
in Washington, but they believe the
whole trouble lies at Fort Liscum,
and think the officials at Washington
are not informed of the exact s1tua-
-tion which prevails.
Commanding officer, Captain Chas.
L.. Hewes, has written to the Terri
torial Council of Defense and the Ter
ritorial Bureau Of Publicity, who have
taken up the matter Of the release OF
the soldiers at Fort Liscum, upon the
request OF the Cordova branch of the
Council of Defense, in which he says
that the men are needed at the fort.
His letters follows and is self-eXplana-
tory:
81. Your telegram of January rs re-
ceived and replied to as per copy
herewith Private Penttinen is a
member of Company B, and positive
orders have been received that this
company is not to be mustered out this
month but it is expected the company
will be relieved by detachment or
regular troops very shortly.
"2. This company has been reduced
to the smallest possible number con
sistent with military requirements.
SO. It is presumed that the Council
of Defense realizes the necessity OF
retaining troops at the docks to guard
the properties Of the Alaska Engineer
ing Commission, bridges, docks and
other large industries. Peace has not
been declared nor has there been any
orders received to relieve any of the
various detachments. At the present
time the men are doing frequent tours
of duty; more than is allowed by regu-
ilations, but this is compelled by ne
scessity. It is hoped that the Terri
4 torial Council of Defense will assist
the military authorities as far as is in
their power and endeavor to retain a
position for the soldiers of this post
until they can be properly discharged.
~. The cases of each individual
member Of this company who has
made application for discharge have
been taken up personally by the COM
manding officer of this fort and every
effort made to discharge the men who
come under the provisions of orders
and circulars authorizing discharges.
%. Your cooperation in these mat
tiers is earnestly requested as the men
are doing their full duties as soldiers
and their services are required at this
time"