The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1920-10-28
PLEBES IN WEST
POINT ARE $50
NEW GLASS 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
amnations - inducements offered
for Enlistment in the Navy
BY JAMES ?. HoRNApAY.

BY JAMES P. HORNADAY.
Nashington.-The new class of
''plebes' at the United States Military
academy at West Point is $50 strong
and includes the largest number of APP
pointees from the ranks Of the army
In the history of West Point with 90
former buck privates enrolled. Prior
TO 1916 soldiers could enter the mill
tnry academy from the ranks only up
on appointment by their congressman,
but today recruits after one years
service with the colors, between nine
teen ana twenty-five years Of age
who can pass the entrance examina-
ton, are eligible without political as
sistance.
Major General Harris, the adutant
general, announces that any young
high school graduate enllstng, 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 twenty-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 l,
! 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 Cobenz,
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 MS the army.
! After 1921, age qualifications revert to
the old limits Of nineteen TO twenty
two for enlisted men. The West Point
course has been changed back to four
years instead Of three.
The secretary of the navy has di-
rected 0 special campaign to be under
taken to fill the remaining vacancies
I'm 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
| navys never consenting to lower the
| high standards of its men.
The secretary says that there are
| 9.5GS young men studying speCialtieS
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 were 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-
tunitles 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 ChapIains Appointed.
Major General Harris announces
the selection and appointment of 80
new chaplains for the regular army
out of 300 applicants who had served
as officers throughout the war. This
| is In conformity with the new reor-
! gani2atlon law providing for 240 chap
lains, or one to each ] 200 officers and
men. All the aspirants were careful
| ~ examined by different boards of of
fcers as to their professional, mental
and physical qualifications, and the
survivors of this test were then care
! fully looked up from the standpoint
Of clerical fitness through the various
UNCONVENTIONAL agencies, The clergy
men selected have been commissioned
with rank from July /, 1920.
After careful study by representa-
tives of the war department, the pro
portion Of the denominations was ten
tatiycly fixed by Secretary of War
Baker al - per cent for the Roman
Catholic church. 70 per cent for the
Protestant churches and 8 per cent for
adjustments that cannot he made on
strictly mathematical apportlonment.
In making the announcement, Gen
eruI Harris adds: "Under the new re-
organization law full provision has
been made for the moral and spiritual
training Of our enlisted men. A new
corps Of chaplans has been created.
Their entire effort will be along the
lines Of charncts building and proper
guidance for the young soldiers under
their charge. coupled with the new
program Of education and occupation
al trimming for the troops.
Stone Age League OF Nations.
After more than four years OF