Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1921-02-05
PRESIDENT VETOES
MEASURE TO STOP
ARMY Recruiting
Says He Sees No Change to
Justify Restriction on
100000 Minimum.
BELIEVES THIS NUMBER
is NEEDED AS NUCLEUS
Points to Action of Congress in
June, 1920, on Bill to Reorgan-
ize U. S. Armed Forces.

President Wilson today vetoed the
House joint resolution directing the
Secretary of War to cease enlisting
men in the Regular Army until the
force is reduced to lT5,0v0 men.
returning the measure TO the House
The president said he was unable 10
See IN the condition of the world at
large or in the needs Of the United
States any change" that would Justify
restriction upon the minimum en-
listed strength OF 2oV.0UO men pro-
vlded Tor in the recently enacted
Army reorganization measure.
Inc text of the Presidents message
follows:
return herewith, without my ap-
proVal, House joint resolution No.
44o, directing the Secretary of War
10 cease eniisting men in the Regular
army OF the United States, except i'm
the cases OF those men who have al
therein.
Purpose to Cut Enlistment.
The text of the Joint resolution
discloses that it's purpose is to cause
a dlscontinuance of enlistments in
the Regular Army until the number
OF enlisted men shall not exceed I15.-
100. No provision is made in the
resolution for the preservation of
any proportionate strength in the
Il
mere discontinuance of enlistment
would, Tor a long time, preserve the
stan corps Extraordinarily enlisted.
ana the coInbatant corps inSufficiently
manned to maintain the instruction
and training which ought to be as
Sured If an army of l75.0DO men is to
be efficient in proportion to it's ar-
gresate number.
"On the 4th day of June, 1920. 1
signed a bill passed by the present
Congress providing for the reoganiza-
tion of the Army. Because Of the pro-
foundly disturbed condition of the
world, and in order that full benefit
might accrue to the people of the
United States from the lessons of the
world war. as to what, under modern
conditions. is required to be the nucIe-
US OF an efficient army. the War De-
partment had recommended an Army
of approximately 100000 men.
tes Action of COngress,
THE Congress, after prolonged con-
sideration, determined to authorize
and did authorize. the reorganization
OF the Army on the basis OF an enlist
ed strength Of approximately ESQ. 900
men, including in the organization new
arms like the air service and the
chemical warfare service, the uses of
which were developments of the war
and provision for which is a necessary
addition to the prewar strength Of the
Army.
The act authorized for the first
time in our history a practical or
ganization of the Army, resting upon
divisions as tactical units, and re-
quired the training Of national
guard and the organized reserve in
territorial areas of the United States
in association with the divisions Of
the Regular Army. At that time the
Congress plainly regarded the provi.
sion then made as the minimum
which would provide for the added
arms and new duties imposed on the
Army. and for that efficiency which
the peace time Army of the United
States should have as the nucleus of
mobilization in the event of a ma
tional emergency.
Il regret that I am not able to see
in the condition of the world at large
or in the needs of the United States
any such change as would justify
the restrictions upon that minimum
which is proposed by the House joint
resolution"