Evening star., 1921-03-20
THE ARMY

press, quite as much as tine news
paper bunch" The signal for ques-
tions to be fired at the Secretary is
when he says. There is nothing of
importance today"
Evidently the air service is one of
the problems which the Secretary of
War intends to solve. for in calling
his attention recently to volume on
aeronautics which he evidently had
been reading, he was asked: ''Mr.
Secretary, are you studying up on the
air?"
The impression one gains in these
interviews is that the public will be
taken into the confidence of the War
Department as far as good judgment
will permit There is nothing evasive
in Mr.. Weeks interviews. The facts
are. usually frankly stated in brlef.
He does not hesitate to say at times,
Il am sorry, cannot answer 'ha'
question now.
In answer to brief questions dur
ing the past week, the Secretary said:
mo decision has been made as TO
the immediate return or our troops
from Germany.
THE appointment of governor
general to the Philippines will be de-
ferred pending the disposal OF more
important matters.
"The mission to the Philippines of
Gen. Wood and Prof. Forbes regard i
ing their report will consume approx
imately four months.
Bureau chiefs will not be removed
for the sake of change or for political
reasons. With me it is a matter OF
efficiency"
Mr.. Weeks would not commit him.
self to a change in the chief of staff.
but admitted that the subject has
been given consideration.
Every state in the Union has been
represented by one or more reserve
corps or national guard officers to
fill the existing vacancy in the posi-
ton of chief of the militia bureau,
which carries with 1T the rank and
pay of a general.
Regarding the recent promotions OF
junior officers in which there appear
ed some discord. the Secretary ex-
planned that they were made accord
ing to the law, that not even the
President could change the present
status Of the law. Some changes are
expected in the new list of general
officers for promotion. which will
shortly be presented to Congress.
Asked about cable received from
Germany regarding Bergdoll. one
anxious correspondent was met with
a reply that such a cable would be
on the desk within an hour. further
the Secretary humorously remarking
that he desired. however. to read it
first and would then decide as to its
news value.
In feeling his way into the many
big problems before him. Mr.. Weeks
is apparently proceeding with con-
fidence and caution. giving the sub.
jects due thought. Regarding mat
ters of policy, he is non-committal
pending final decision. Like other
members of the cabinet who former
ly served in Congress. Secretary
Weeks win have the advantage OF
knowing pretty well how much as
sistance he will receive from that
source and how best to present his
requests to Congress. 1t will be a
Joyous time for the Washington
newspaper bunch" as one paper ex-
are as gracious and considerate as
the new Secretary of War.
Citizens Training Camps.
In reviewing the pre-war citizens
military training camps. which sup
piled an excellent type of officer ma
terial during the war. much will de-
pend upon the berality of Congress
in making an adequate appropriation
early in the summer and much of the
success of these camps will depend
upon the way these youngsters are
provided for in their initial year.
1t is keen hope of the War De-
partment that its completed plans
for this undertaking will meet con-
gressional favor that it may insure
complete success. 1t is the aim to
make this years course so attrac-
tive TO the young men whose older
brothers served in the war that they
will be anxious to take the three
summer courses. after which. If the
student proves his worth, he is elig-
ible for appointment in the officers
Reserve Corps.
There will be three classes. namely
red, white and blue. The red signifies
the juniors or privates; the white, Sc
lected privates. who might qualify for
non-commissioned grades. and the
training for warrant officers and Sc
lected commissioned officers of
the Regular Army, National Guard
and Enlisted Reserve Corps. also
civilians with view to their appoint
ment as officers in the Officers Re-
serve Corps. Subsistence in camps
will be furnished students at govern
ment expense. including medical at
tendance, laundry service and paw as
provided by law. uniforms and other
necessary equipment.
In the face Of a poor showing in the
strength of the National Guard this
year in almost every state, that i'm
portant service of the national de-
fense will receive a valuable stimulus
in the success of the summer train
ing camps, as many OF these youths
will be glad to avail themselves OF
further training in their home town
upon return from camp. II there is to
reserve force which for it's numbers