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

in England by the fact that the de-
mobilization Of the United States
troops had proceeded 80 much more
ezpeditieusly than the rehabilitation
Of the British.
"Sach results would have been sim
ply impossible had IL been attempted
to discharge Immediately every soldier
who made individual application on in
d1strial grounds. There are hundreds
Of Thousands Of men now returned to
their families, home communities, and
industrial employment who might not
have been released for months If the
War Department had attempted to in
augurate q scheme Of rehabilitation
based largely upon individual requests
for individual discharge. The absorp-
ton OF these men into the general life
Of the country-their return to pro-
ductive employment-has assisted In
the permanent revitalixation Of indus
trial life and has expedited the return
Of the country to Its normal peace
time conditions.
"While the War Department real
ised the impracticability Of discharg-
ing IN army Of between three and four
million men under q scheme based pri-
marty upon individual applications for
discharge, yet the need OF some elias
ticity In the scheme Of rehabilitation
was always recognized.
1T h recognized that . certain
amount Of complaint and discomfort is
inevitable. The soldier who sees his
neighbor leave while he In held il
sometimes inclined to overlook the
relative reasons therefor and declare
himself . victim of negligence and in
competence. Criticism was to be ex-
pected because Of the conflicting inter-
1tS o& hundreds Of thousands Of indi-
viduals, each naturally intent on his
own case alone. The accomplishment
OF this enormous number Of discharges
j. task Of technical completely, re-
curing patience and broad vision.
The statement has just been made
on the floor Of the House of Repre-
sentatives that the orders for demobil-
ixation Of the army were not being
carried olst in good Faith, and that off,
GERS failed to grant applications for
discharge, because, by reducing the
force under them, they would lose
their commissions, and that some Of
these officers wish to keep q large
number OF men in the service in order
to make their jobs more important and
more permanent. It il the purpose of
the War Department to release all
members OF our temporary forces in
tlsis country except those whose ser-
vices are essential to the administra-
tian Of cur rehabilitation and con-
vaaesgsnt centerA ports Of debarka-
tion, supply dePoeB, gnFTiooned posts
and seaEi0ns along the Mexican border
snd n Gun insulaT posssssiona.
TIE ouly question ID how this de-
mobilization can be done in the
pr0mptest, fairest and moat eGscient
manner. Where individual requests
for discharges have not been granted
IN the past, such rcfusals have been
based upon considerations Of the
greatest good for the greatest number.
lie IN believed that under the pres
eut instructions al applications for i'm
mediate individual discharge which
p0ssesU merit will be approved and
tIAa3 from now ON the men in this
country still remaining IN units not ye,
ordered discharged BY units win be
discharged largely 10 individuals to
enable them to resume employment
where positions ere. waiting for them
Il have written at this length be.
czuse ! wish to make it clear that de-