Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1921-07-02
HARDING PROTESTS
ARMY'S REDUCTION
To 10000 MEN

WASHINGTON, June 3O.-Presi-
dent Harding sent message to con-
gress today strongly dissenting from
provisions in the army appropriation
bill which requires the army to be
reduced to 10000 men by October 1.
The president announced mis- ap-
prevail Of the bill, but warned con-
gress that he does not feel justified
in asking the secretary of war to en-
piration of enlistment as would be
necessary If the provisions of the
measure are carried into effect.
The president said this provision
will cause very great embarrass-
ment" to the army and will be de-
moralizing to the spirit of the army
itself, robably causing serious diff
Guilty in securing enlistments to the
future.
TO Ask Legislation
The restriction was vigorously OPP
posed by Secretary of War Weeks
who declared it a violation of con-
tract" with enlisted men.
President Harding advised con-
gress that he would probably ask adj
ditional legislation to remove the re-
strictions and said that while the
secretary of war will seek to avoid
creating any deficit prohibited by the
bill every effort will be made to deal
justly with enlisted men.
The secretary of war;" said the
president in his message to congress,
will seek to avoid the creation Of
any deficit, but if a probable deficit
develops in a just procedure to re-
te.&A r
to the congress at the earliest posi-
Bile day and ask it to relieve the en-
barra of the secretary of
war;
The president is understood to
have adopted this course instead of
vetoing the measure because the fis-
cal year for which the bill appropri-
ates funds begins tomorrow.
Mr.. Harding sent this message tt
the senate and house:
Text Of Message
"I am advising the congress Of my
approval Of H. B. 500. a bill making
provision for the maintenance anC
support of the United States army
for the fiscal year. ending June 80
1922. I cannot resist calling to the
attention of the congress at this
time the very great embarrassment
in carrying out it's provisions while
dealing justly with the enlisted
call for a slight modification may
not be wholly without notice.
"The bill necessitates a very large
reduction in the enlisted personne
of the army, and it is doubted thai
| this reduction can be brought about
| without the summary dismissal o.
| many thousands of men who have
| a right to expect at the hands Of
| the government the same moral obi
cation which the government re-
| quires Of them when they enlist fol
| service.
In perfect good faith the secre-
| tary Of war will proceed to reduce
the army to figures contemplated
| by the congress. The normal expir-
alton, Of enlistments probable will
approximate one-half the reduction
which the congress has directed and
every effort will be made to meet
the requirements of the congress at
the earliest possible day. L would
not feel justified in asking the sec
rotary of war to enforce the dis
missal of men who have enlisted for
a definite term of service. There
seems to be a moral obligation in
volved, the violation of which
would be demoralizing to the spirit
of the army itself and might prove
a very serious discouragement when
enlistments are desired in the fu-
ture.
II have thought I ought to say
these things to the congress now be-
cause in it's earnest desire to re-
duce the army personnel and limit
army expenditures the congress has
especially provided that no deficit
shall be created. The secretary of
war will seek to avoid the creation
Of any deficit, but if a probabl def
icit develops in = a 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 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