Trench and camp. ([Admiral, Md.) 1917-1919, 1919-02-27

The policy Of the War Department.
concerning Generalization has been
outlined In letter from the Chief Of
Staff TO Cougressman Mann, of
u1inois:
The letter, In part, follows:
~The War Department studied the
question Of demsobilization very care
fully before adopting any policy. Two
needs OF the country were kept con-
stantiy IN mind: First, the resump-
ton as rapidly 40 possible OF the nor
mai industrial Me Of the country, and,
second, replacement therein OF iudi-
viduals IN the military forces and in|
occupations which ended upon cessa-
ton Of hostilities. The War Depart
menE gave serious consideration TO the
plan Of malEing the order Of dischaFge|
depend on the availability OF indns-
trial positions TO which the individual
soldier might return 90 opposed TO the
plan of disbanding complete organiza-
lions Ia the order of their availability|
for discharge.
"The former plan was deemed isn-
practicable. Il would have involved
che processes OF appraising tine case of
each solder 40 separate unit, endeav-
cring to compare hin individual rights|
90 discharge with the rights Of all
others, and marstaling the priorities|
accordingly. Even II the likelihood oil
obtaining employment had been con-
sidered BY classes, such 40 farmers,
metal workers, municipal employees,
etc, IL would have been necessary to|
consider further the relative demmnd|
for each class in each separate section.
The preliminary investigation neces-
gary to an equitable determination Of!
such schedule, IL practicable ae all
under present conditions in this ccun-l
try, would have delayed all demobiEi-
zation beyond reason.
"On the other hand, ditbandmenf oil
complete military units could be and
was immediately begun. In this way
the military situation was safeguardedl
and at the same time demobilizatiou|
was accelerated IL q cross section of
industrial or agricultural class dis
charges had been at once cut across|
oil military organizations, the integrity
and efficiency Of every unit would hzve'
been destroyed at the outset, 60 the
confusion Of orderly procedure and.ths|
retardation of the whole demobilisa-
ton pvograE
"Ths determined principle 10 that ar
OF Our soldiers whose services are ne
longer needed are entitled to dis
chaEge. The method adopted, Il II be-
Eeved, viii aecomplish that result VISA
least delay, and without fnvCG to these
who might have influential frisudw sU|
hntercede for thsm OF % tAke IN tl1eir]
casss Individually with the Wa De-
partment.
The military sitmaaien asd the 10
tual mechanism Of demobiIisatiou|
neceaaitAte the retsneioa In the services.
Sor the present of . considerable nuxu-
be1 Of MEN trained on Gtted to do tie
work required Il b doubtless dr.
cult for these indfviduals to reconcile
themselves to being held when their
personal imterests lie In their being
discharged But from this ON there q
no escape For tAem the emergency
L. not ended 11HhwugA the seimuintion
and excitement Of aetivu wzrEwe are
over.
Certain larEs units organised for
Overses service were promptly de-
WoAilised ca bloc. and during that
process the daily discharges ran Wen
Over 30Oo@ In Ills eonneCtiOn, atten-
tiOn Is invited TO- the discomfort caused