The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1919-04-14
Creation of a Standing
Force of 500, 900 Is to
Proceed.
CONGRESS TO ACT
What to Do With OFF,
GERS of High Standing
is the Difficult Prob
lem to Solve.

Washington, April 1S.--T'he re-
vised covenant OF the league OF
nations will not disturb the plans
of the builders OF American war
ships and the organizers of the
new standing army
The creation of the army OF
500, 900 is to go on until the coun-
Gil OF the league makes sugges-
ton for a reduction. and then the
United States will consider the
proposition. In the meanwhile.
too, Secretary Daniels, Admiral
Benson. Rear-Admiral Sims and
yice-Admiral Henry b. Wilson
will get together on the new style
of battleship which is to take the
place of the proposed battle
cruiser of present construction.
Ship building will continue inden
niteiy.
Both the army and the navy are
nevertheless looking arxiously toward
the next session OF congress II the
new body 'tempersr the bills for the
army and the navy it will undoubt-
eddy reward patriotism in the war just
ended.
HONOR TO PERsHTNG.
General Pershing. It is sa-r viii be
offered the honor OF q generalship for
life and the command of the stand
gets will be allowed to retain their
rank in the standing army.
Admiral Sims, now president OF the
navy war college at Newport. will be
made admiral, and Henry b. Wilson
and Henry r. Mayo probably win be
made permanent vice-admirals
It ts expected that congress, even IL
IL does not retain the 500, 900 officers
and men at present in the navy, will
no 81 ~
ciai acts honor men like Sims. Wilson
and Captain ]. r. Pringle, who had
charge of the torpedo destroyers that
rid the EcAs OF submarines.
The beafcfe II general in fact that
the lapse Of tho emergency ranks.
" hich would compel Pershfng. Bliss
and March. who are now full gamer
rails. to resume the rank of major
generals, Is q question that congress
course. not feasible to have three gem
erals for an army OF 100000 men.
but II Ia pointed out that General
Pershing could be active general,
March general ex-oticio II he were
retain I'D as chief OF STAFF. and Bliss
title OF brevet general could be con-
tinued after his actual retirement.
The same honc-s could be con-
ferred II the old army OF 1907 men
"Gtc AcPh nS @AAS o"S~AA~AA6 A'NA%~S
force
REDUCTION CONTINUES.
Between now and Septemb Der there
will be an increasing reduction In the
number OF officers in the army At
the signing Of the armistice there
were In round numbers about 200. 600
officers, including three full generals
More than one-half of the number
OF officers have already been dis
~ h,,< yrrh} rf sr,-
ciude West Pointers" will be re-
tanned.
These number only about 10000,
and 10000 will be needed for the
army of 100000.
The general army staff Is stan ding
pat on the proposition that congress
will not interfere with its program for
100000 men, and IL that be realized
there will be a chance for the reten-
ton in the regular establishment OF
a bout 10, 900 of the emergency officers
who fought we'll in Europe or did val
liable service here for the army in
Europe.
It in indicated today that II the
army is organized by congress as 5oo.-
oeo mon the marine corps. which so
itself in Europe. will be
permitted to retain its present
strength. In that event there Is no
doubt that Major-General Barnett.
who now commands the corps, will
be give nat least the permanent rank
of ma tor-general.
The armistice has not affected the
navy as seriously as ii has the army
in the way OF demotions. Admiral
Sims, however. was the shining exam
Pile of demotion in the navy. When
he stepped ashore for shore duty he
lost his rank and became a rear
admiral.