Evening star., 1919-01-23
OFFICERS REMOVED
TOSAVE SOLDIERS
Interesting Disclosures May
Follow Investigation De-
manded in Congress.
CASES REVIEWED IF ASKED
by JINIUS h. WOOD.
Cablegram to The Evening Star ana
ChicnSO Daily News. Copyright, 1910

BY JGNIUS II. WOOD.
Cableeram to The Evening Star and
Chicago Daily News. Copyright. 1919.
COBLENZ. Germany, January g.
The congressional investigation of the
35th and 25th divisions, the latter dc
manded by Representative James A
Gallivan of Massachusetts on account
of the return to the United States OF
Maj. Gen. Clarence r. Edwards and
other officers of the Goth Division, may
result in train of disclosure intensely
interesting to the American public.
Whether these facts which are now
of the expedition will prove pleasant
to the officers and their friends is
problematical. The possibility that
any investigation will show discr1mf-
nation on the part of the expedition
leaders against former National Guard
officers is extremely doubtful
Causes Kept Secret.
During the stress of the fighting
summary reductions in rank and sud
den transfers from the command of
troops at the battle front to quieter
tasks in the rear areas or even back
home were frequent. Out of considera-
tion for the officers the causes of these
changes were not given publicity ex-
cept ny the underground wireless
which always runs through the Army.
-. IL. ~,
were reviewed by cooler judges in the
rear areas away from the turmoil of
the fighting and in several instances
the officers were restored to their
commands. Later Investigations show
ed that they were not responsible for
the acts which caused the demorali
zation of military plans.
However, when plans went awry in
surroundings where the lives of thou
sands of men were at stake, there
was only time to act and remove the
officer supposed to be responsible,
leaving the winnowing of the facts
for a subsequent investigation.
Cases Reviewed When Asked.
Every officer requesting it was able
to secure an investigation and review
of his case. It is hard for these who
watched the inside workings of the
expedition to believe that favoritism or
discrimination was shown for or
against either the regular National
Guard or reserve officers zs1ss
An officer unable to make good was
decapitated regardless of the source
OF his military trailing.
A record of such reductions in rank
eral shows that twenty-five generals,
graduates of West Point, broke down
on account of their age and ineffici-
ency during the weeks of ffgting and
that many more were transferred to
the rear areas or sent home for
similar reasons though they were per-
mftted to retain their rank.
OF the officers who were sent home on
account of their military mistakes and
tnefhciency many had reached the age
limit of sixty-four years. They were
unable to pass the physical examine
tions or withstand the intensive strain
of active campaigning. Each officer
knew personally the causes of his with
drawal from active service at the front
and almost without exception they were
content to accept the laudation be-
slowed upon them by the folks at home
going too deeply into the reasons for
their return.
Comparison of Casualties.
The 35th Divisions casualties were
less than those of the 1st Division, which
it in the same fight 1t is ex-
tremely proud of the record of it's Off
GERS and men. At the same time it is
admitted that the division had dark
days which hitherto have not been men
toned and probably will not be unless
an investigation forces the opening of
closed pages in the divisions history.
Maj. Gen. Edwards was one of the
most popular officers in the expedi-
tion among the men and was well
liked by the general officers. Friend
ships. however, cannot rule where
lives are involved.
May Open Controversy.
1t is extremely possible that the in
vestigation may be the opening shot
in the starting of an unfortunate con-
troversy between the advocates of diff
ferent methods of military training.
the thousands here wearing
the American uniform the launching
of criticism the moment the war is
ended against those who led the ex-
pedition to success and won victory
for the allies is resented
1t is looked upon as being in strik-
ing contrast with the appreciations
which other nations are showing
these leaders.
SPEAKER CL ARK HAS CHAT