The spectator., 1920-11-02
PLEBES IN WEST
 POINT ARE 630
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 Ex. aminations - Inducements Offered for Enlistment in the Navy.
By JAMES p. HORNADAY.

By JAMES p. HoRNADAY. | 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 mili- tary academy from the ranks only up on appointment by their congressman. but today recruits after one years service with the colors, between nine- teen and twenty-twO years of age. who can pass the entrance examina- ton, are eligible without political as sistance.
 Major General Harris, the adjutant general, announces 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 twenty-four | who have served honorably and faith fully for not less than one year in the | lUSu loi CcS Ol tllt OHittu ESldtCS ol the allied armies in the World war, possessing the other requisite qualifi- cations, may be admitted on July 1, 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-two.
 Seven Preparatory Schools.
 Seven preparatory schools have been opened, at Camp Dix, N. J.: Camp Devens. Mass: Camp Lewis. 1 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- 1 dates also have the option of 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, 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 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 l ever before, except in war time, the realization that the navy man in peace time is the one who must he 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 specialties in navy schools. From these men will be drawn the skilled specialists of the navy. There are left 4,10O vacancies in the schools, and these vacancies have been thrown open to young men of the country fin 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- 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 So 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- ganization law providing for 240 chap Iains, or one to each 1900 officers and men, All the aspirants were careful ly examined by different boards of of ficers 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 denominational agencies. The clergy men selected have been commissioned with rank from July l, 1920.
 After careful study by representa- | tives of the war department, the pro- | portion of the denominations was ten tatively fixed by Secretary of War Baker at 25 per cent for the Roman Catholic church, 70 per cent for the Protestant churches and per cent for adjustments that cannot be made on strictly mathematical apportionment.
 In making the announcement, Gen eral 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 chaplains has been created. Their entire effort will be along the | lines of character building and proper guidance for the young soldiers under | their charge. coupled with the new program of education and occupation al training for the troops"