The New York herald., 1921-01-11
SENATE RAPS BAKER,
URGES 175,OOO ARMY
War Secretary Charged With
Defying Congress in Con-
tinued Recruiting.
1000 NOW ADDED DAILY
Vigorous Effort Will Be Made
TO Force Withdrawal
From Europe.
1000 NOW ADDED DAILY
Special Despatch TO THE New YORK HERALD
New York Herald Bureau.
WASHINGTON. ID. C., Jan. 10.


New York Herald Bureau.
Washington, ID. c., Jan. 10.
Strong indications that the Senate will
Ak the size of the army at 175,0O0. and
possibly at 10000 developed in the SEN
ate to-day during debate on the Senator
New (Ind.) resolution which provides
for suspension of recruiting by Secretary
OF War Baker and for discharges until
the army contains 175.000.
1t further developed that vigorous ef-
fort is to be made either this session or
next to force withdrawal from Europe
OF the American forces, approximating
about 20, 900 men. Secretary Baker was
sharply criticised by several Senators for
alleged defiance of the wishes OF Con-
gress in recruiting the army to more
than the number for which pay has been
appropriated.
Mr.. New asserted that the Secretary
had gone not only beyond his authority
in recruiting, but that he is still per-
sisting in 1t. and is carrying on expen-
sive advertising for recruits.
"It is very plain" said Mr.. New, that
the Secretary of War. as in so many
cases, like that OF the Muscle Shoals
water power project, has no regard for
the spirit Of Congress or to carrying out
the will of Congress. The Secretary has
construed the maximum limit of 900
as mandatory on him and has proceeded
by every means known to enlist as many
men as possible.
1000 EnIistments Daily.
Last Friday they got 1900 men. The
rate of enlistment now is at least 1000
| a day. A statement of the size of the
army last night would show It to be
about $4,000 or 23S,000 men. The de.
| sire of Congress and of our committee is
| to cut down public expense and at the
same time leave the country in the pos
| session of Il military force that Will meet
| our reasonable requirements"
Senator New made it plain that 1t Is
not the purpose of the Military Affairs
| Committee to reduce the number of of.
ficers. because he believes a skeleton or
ganization should be retained, sufficient
to manage a large army should ii bt
needed. He estimates that II enlistment:
are halted and discharges granted at the
rate proposed the army will be reduced
/ to 1850 by about the first of Septem.
| Der next
Senator Lenroot (Wis.) offered ar
amendment TO the New resolution to-day
to fix the army at 10000. This MIR
New opposed. He called attention to the
various troops now stationed abroad and
said that In Germany these numbered
nearly 10000. with 1000 in Hawaii. $500
in Panama, 10000 in the Philippine Isl
ands. 1900 in Porto Rico and about / 1,4oC
in China.
II think that our forces now In Ger
many ought to be returned" said Sem
ator New in reply to n question from
Senator Lenroot. but I do not believe
We ought to reduce our army below
115.00o yet. The reduction I propos,
would save US between $35 5000 and
s40,000.000 a year In the army appro
priation."
Something should be done to reduc,
the size Of the army at once" interposed
Senator Jones (Wash.). I'VE ought not
to be obliged to go on until September
paying soldiers that we do not need at
the expense of taxpayers already bear
ing heavy burdens"
Fear Abrupt Action.
Both Senators New and Wadsworth
| On. W opposed this idea, saying that
to cut the army down abruptly instead
OF gradually would demoralize the SER
vice and cripple its needed effectiveness "
"If we did that we would lose men
we wish to retain in the army" said
Mr.. New. Our proposal is based on
the idea that We will retain valuable.
experienced men and non-commissioned
officers"
Senator Borah suggested an amend
ment permitting any man to get out OF
the army who wanted his discharge,
but those in charge OF the measure
opposed this.
1T would smash all discipline" said
Senator Wadsworth. Men would rush
for their discharges as soon as they
wer~ likely to be disciplined, even for
minor offences, and, OF course, under
your proposal their discharge would
have to be granted"
Senator Boran broadly intimated that