The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1921-07-08
ARMY CUT IS NEXT
MOVE IN CONGRESS.
PRESIDENT HARDING SIGNS am
REDUCING ARMY OF UNITED
STATES TO 100000 MEN
congress informed That Secretary OF
war Would Not Be Asked
To Discharge Men In For
Certain Time.

"a$h.ngt"n-PTr>',"n, Harding sent
message +" cs:.zr-<> Thursday
strongly dissenting r.4n provisions IN
the army nr9r rr'Hr:n b:U which r.
qu'res the army z, ne reduced tn ia
ND mrn by Ors"l.r !.
The president ANNOUNCED h.. hat
signed the bin. hur warned congress
that he does n0t feel justified in AK
ing the secretary Of war 70 enfar g
the dismissal Of men prior 10 exp.ra-
ton OF enlistment IL would be nac4~.
sary If the provisions Of the measure
are carried into effect.
The president said this proyfx:o7
Will cause ''yery great embarrassment,
to the army and will be der7oraEjz:n.
to the spirit Of the army itself. p-oF.-
ably causing serious difficulty in 81
curing ffIiSrmenrs in the future.
The restriction Was vigorously o.
posed by Secretary VI War Weeks
who declared il Il violation OF con-
tract" with enlisted men.
President Harding advised congress
that Il" would probably a>E ADDITIONAL
legislation 20 remaye he restrictions
and said that while the secretary Of
war Will seek to avoid creating a.r
deficit prohibited by the bill every #
fort will be made 70 deal justly with
enlisted men.
The message WIS a very plain Sao-
ken document auJ j The first sa-.u4<
disagreement hrcweel Hardin. and
leaders in congress.
Harfing'S message follows:
4 am advising the congress Of my
approval of H. L. 900. a bill making
provision for the maintenance and sup
port Of the United States army for the
year ending June 80. 1922.
Il cannot resist ealing the attention
OF the congress at this time to the very
great embarrassment in carrying out
its provisions while dealing justly with
the enlisted forces Of the army 50 that
a later Gail for Il slight mobilization
may not be wholly without notice"
The bill neceSSiratps very large
reduction in the enlisted personnel Of
the army and il is doubted thar this
reduction can be brought about witl'
out the summary dismissal Of many
thousands Of men vino have a right 10
expect Al the hands Of the government
the same moral obligations which the
government requires II them when
they enlist for service, In perfect
good faith the Secretary Of war viii
proceed TO reduce he army 70 he tig
IRE contemplated by Inc congress. The
normal expiration If elLis,m-nEs prfb-
ably will approximate one-ha!t the re-
duct:on which the congress has directed
and every effort will he made 10 Meet
the requirements III the congress IL
the earliest possible day.
4 would not feel Justified in asking
the secretary OF war 70 enforce the
dismissal Of men who have enlisted
for a definite term OF service.
There seems 10 he mnrssI oAi:ga-
ton involved, the violation OF which
would he demnra,iZin= ~ the SEsri, Of
the army itself and might prove very
serious Encouragement when enlist
ments are desired in the future.
have thought l ought 70 say these
things to the congress now because in
its earnest desire 10 reduce the army
personnel and limit army expenditures
the congress has especially provided
that no deficit shall be created The
secretary of war will seek 10 avoid
the creation Of any deficit, but if
probable deficit develops in just pro
cedure to reduce our enlisted forces
will report to the congress at the EARL
est possible day and ask it 10 relieve
the embarrassment OF the secretary OF
war and make such provision as Will
be necessary to deal justly with our
enlisted men while attempting to keep
faith with the congress to the fullest
possible degree"