New Mexico state record. (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1914-19??, 1920-12-17
ARMY ON RHINE
OFFERS PROBLEM
NEW ADMINISTRATION MUST DE.
eide QUESTION OF CALLING
OUR TROOPS HOME.
COST is BORNE BY GERMANY
General March Says the Occupation
Has Been Clean, Dignified. Just and
Foreeful-Good Training and Rec
reation for the Soldiers.
BY JAMES p.

'edtion TOT the soldiers.
BY JAMES p. HoRNADAY.
Washington.-Shall the American
army Of occupation that is being main
tanned on the Rhine at the expense of
Germany be brought home? This Is
q question that will be brought before
congress at the short session through
an effort To attach to the army appro-
priatlon bin a provision that no part
or the money appropriated by that bin
shall be used for the support of the
army OF occupation. 1t Is not i'm
probable that the Legislative body will
go on record as favoring the return of
TINS branch of the army to the United
States, but there Is small probability
OF action of that sort standing up, for
the reason that President Wilson
would undoubtedly veto an apprOpria-
ton bill which failed to provide for
the maintenance of the army Of occu-
patton.
The subject Will undoubtedly be
dealt with in some way after March 4,
when both the executive and legislative
branches of the government will be
under the control of the Republicans.
The total strength of the American
forces In Germany is now 15,413 men
and 137 officers. IL was necessary i'm
medlately after the signing Of the ar
mistice to have n comparatively strong
and complete American army on the
Rhine. The maximum Of American
troops ever In Germany was In Feb
ruary, 1919, when the number totaled
1925 officers and 251 ,S33 men. On
July !, 1919. the army OF occupation
had been reduced to 5,095 officers and
1O0,G95 men, and 1t was on that date
that the designation was changed to
THE American Forces In Germany"
Gradually American troops were with
drawn until the present strength was
arrived at.
Germany Pays the Expenses.
Under the terms of the armistice
Germany is required to pay for the
cost of maintaining the American
forces In Germany. The total expenses
incurred thus far amount to S257,065,-
0S4. Germany has thus far advanced
$32,053. $50 under the terms of the mr.
mistice and miscellaneous credits on
account of government sales have
amounted to ~S2,670,97S, so that the net
resulting amount owed to the United
States government by the German gov-
eminent for the cost of the army OF
occupation Is in round numbers $780,
100000.
General March, chief of staff, in
speaking OF the occupation says that
II has been clean, dlgnlied, just and
forceful, free from tyranny, and char
acterized by n minimum of friction
with the inhabitants. Its success, the
chief Of staff says, has been largely
due to the high character and common
sense OF the American officer and SOL
der; each has realized the RESPONSE
bility devolvlng on him OF maintaining
the prestige Of the United States and
Of Its army. and each has borne him
self accordingly. They have lived up
TO their instructions "to make the
government firm, just. dignIfed, in ac-
cordance with the laws OF war and
the best traditions and practices of
the American army"
Good Training for the Troops.
The military situation has allowed
opportunity for regular and thorough
military training In this overseas
army. Special effort has been made
10 provide the troops with proper and
sufficient recreation and amusement.
Attention has been devoted TO athletics,
including baseball, boxing, swimming,
tennis, golf. boat cruise, roller skat-
ing and polo. The tryOut for the
Olympic meet at Antwerp created
great interest among the soldiers OF the
army OF occupation. In every athletic
between the United States
troops and allied troops stationed
celled. The health Of the troops has
been excellent and the hospital facill-
ties have been ample.
The question Of bringing this army
home will hinge on whether the United
States in Joining the allies in the war.
then in Joining them In the armis-
tIce and later joining them In the MAX
ing Of n peace treaty. Is Obligated TO do
its part toward enforcing the terms OF
the treaty of peace. What is known
ms the Rhine country is held by troops
from the United States. Great Britain,
France, Italy and Belgium. The trea-
ty does not fix n definite period for the
maintenance Of an army Of occupation
and the prevailing view seems TO be
that the duration Of the occupation
will depend on the readiness with
which Germany complies with the
terms of the treaty.
Bringing Home the Soldier Dead.
The removal Of the soldier dead
from France to the United States
g now well under way. On a n
average of once every fortnight fu-
neral services are held in Arlington ma
ional cemetery for the heroes. Many
If the nearest of kin are expressing a
TO have the burials made
n the national cemetery. Women of
he local branches Of the women's leL