Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1921-current, 1921-07-01
ARMY MUST LET OUT 100000
BY OCT. /; HARDING DOUBTS
In His Special Message
to Congress, President
Says Changes May Be
Asked to Prevent u. S.
Violating Its Obliga-
tons to Enlisted Men.

Washington. June 30.-President
Harding informed congress Thursday
that while he had signed the army
appropriation bill with it's provisions
| for reduction of the regular army to
| 10000 men by next October 1, it
might be necessary to ask for a modi-
ficatiOn of the measure later to avoid
embarrassment to the secretary of
war.
In a special message sent to the
senate and the house. he said that
summary dismissal from the army of
men who had enlisted for longer
period than October 1 would seem to
involve a reputation of moral obi
cation by the government which would
have its effect upon the morale of the
army and possibly influence enlist
ments in the future.
The nature of the notifications
which might be asked for later was
not disclosed, nor did he explain how
| it was proposed to meet the moral
obligation to the men and. at the same
time, carry out the direction of con-
gress to reduce the force by 10000
men in the next three months.
10000 Civilians Out.
He did say, however, that every
effort will be made to meet the re-
quirements of congress at the earliest
possible day.
Secretary Weeks, in discussing the
bill, said that if the war department
succeedGd in meeting the limitations
imposed by congress, some 10000 civil
ian employees of the army besides the
10000 enlisted men, would be thrown
On the labor market to cou1plicate the
situation. He added
shat the war department still hoped
to be able to avoid the summary dis
missal of any enlisted men in reducing
the army.
The presidents message to congress
said:
Il am advising the congress of my
provision Of the maintenance and sup
port of the United States army for
the fiscal year ending June 80, 1922.
Moral Obligation.
II cannot resist calling to the at
tention Of the congress at this time
to the very great embarrassment in
carrying out its provisions while deal
ing justly with the enlisted forces of
the army so that later call for a
slight modification may not be wholly
without notice.
1.-THE bill neeessitates very large
reduction in the enlisted personnel OF
the army and it is doubted that this
reduction can be brought about with
out the summary dismissal of many
thousands of men who have a right
to expect at the hands of the govern
ment the same moral obligation which
the government requires of them when
they enlist for service.
In perfect good faith, the secretary
of war will proceed to reduce the army
to figures contemplated by the con-
gress. The normal expiration Of en-
istments probably will approximate
one half the reduction which the con- !!
gress has directed, and every effort |
will be made to meet the requirements |
of the congress at the earliest possi- |
bic day.
Must Preserve Morale.
IT would not feel justified in ask
ing the secretary Of war to enforce
the dismissal of men who have enlisted |
for a definite term of service. There |
seems to be a moral obligation involved /
the violation of which would be de-
to the spirit of the army
itself, and might prove very serious
disbursement when enlistments are
desired in the future.
Il have thought l ought to say these
things to the congress now because in
its earnest desire to reduce the army
personnel and limit army expenses,
the congress has expressly provided
that no deficit shall be created. The
secretary of war will seek to avoid the
of any deficit, but if proba-
bic deficit develops in just procedure
to reduce our enlisted forces I will
report to the congress at the earliest
possible day and ask it to relieve the
embarrassment of the secretary of
war, and make such provisions as will
be necessary to deal justly with
enlisted men while attempting to keep
faith with the congress to the fullest