New Mexico state record. (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1914-19??, 1920-10-29
PLEbES IN WEST
POINT ARE $50
NEW CLASS HAS MORE FROM
THE RANKS OF THE ARMY
THAN EVER BEFORE.
ENTRANCE IS Facilitated
Seven Preparatory Schools Opened to
Coach Soldiers for the Entrance Elk
aminations - Inducements Offered
for Enlistment in the Navy.
BY JAMES p.

Washington.-The new class of
"plebes" at the United States Military
academy at West Point Is 630 strong
and includes the largest number of ap-
pointees from the ranks of the army
in the history of West Point, with 60
former buck privates enrolled. Prior
to 1916 soldiers could enter the mill
tary academy from the ranks only up
on appointment by their congressman,
but today recruits after one years
service with the c%olors, between nine
teen and twenty-five years of age,
who can pass the entrance examina-
ton, are eligible without political as
%sistance.
Major General Harris, the adjutant
general. that any young
high school graduate enlisting. whose
record is clear, may enter West Point
on the first entrance date after one
year of service. Enlisted men between
the ages of seventeen and t~wenty-four
who have served honorably and faith
fully for not less than one year In the
armed forces of the United States or
the allied armies In the World war,
possessing the other requisite qualifi-
cations, may be admitted on July /,
1921. The other enlisted candidates
must have served for one year In the
regular army prior TO July l, 1921. and
be between the ages of nineteen and
twenty-five.
Seven Preparatory Schools.
Seven preparatory schools have
been opened, at Camp Dix. N. j.;
Camp Deyens, Mass; Camp Lewis,
WASH; Camp Travis, Tex, and Camp
Gordon, Ga, as well as In Coblenz,
Germany, and Panama, for the pur-
pose of preparing soldiers for the en-
trance examinations. These candI-
dates also have the option Of a three
months furlough for special study and
coaching. World war service applies
equally TO young men who were draft
ed or enlisted and includes the Ma
tiOnal Guard as well as the army.
After 1921, & qualifications revert to
Allt otu III vi bll'l''n W lhthis
two for enlisted men. The West Point
course has been changed back to four
years instead Of three.
The secretary Of the navy has d.
rected n special campaign to be under
taken TO fill, the remaining vacancies
In the ranks of the enlisted personnel
of the navy by Offering special induce
ments. Notwithstanding the fact that
the navy Is now recruiting more than
ever before, except In war time, the
realization that the navy man in peace
time Is the one who must be qualified
to defend the country in the first line
of battle In war has resulted In the
navy's never consenting to lower the
high standards of its men.
The secretary says that there are
9,56S young men studying speclalties
In navy schools. From these men will
be drawn the skilled specialists Of the
navy. There are left 400 vacancies
In the schools, and these vacancies
have been thrown open to young men
of the country in civil life. These
schools we're formerly kept for pre-
vious service men. A new policy has
also been developed so that those who
like foreign travel will be given oppor-
.tunities to see the world.
The navy schools are paying special
attention to physical development,
and the latest statistics show an aver
age gain of ten pounds in weight In
four months and gratifying Increases
In height and chest development.
New chaplains Appointed.
Major General Harris announces
the selection and appointment of 50
chaplains for the regular army
out OF 800 applicants who had served
rs officers throughout the war. This
IS In conformity with the new reor-
yanization law providing for 240 chap
Iains, or one to each 100 officers and
men. All the aspirnnts were careful
v examined by different boards Of Of
icers as to their professional, mental
md physical qualifications, and the
survivors, of this test were then care
'ully looked up from the standpoint
clerical fitness through the various
UNCONVENTIONAL agencies. The clergy
men selected have been commissioned
With rank from July 1, 1920.
After careful study by representa-
ives Of the war department, the pro-
of the denominations was ten
atively fixed by Secretary of War
Baker at % per cen for the Roman
,athollc church. 20 per cent for the
Protestant churches and 5 per cent for
ADJUSTMENTS that cannot be made on
trictly mathematical apportionment.
In making the announcement, Cen
raj Harris adds: "Under the new re-
~rganization law full provision has
een made for the moral and spiritual
of our enlisted men. A new
orps of chaplains has been created.
heir entire effort will be along the
ines of character building and proper
uidance for the young soldiers under
heir charge, coupled with the new
rogram of education and occupation
! training for the troops"
Stone Age League Of Nations.
after more than four years Of