The Colorado statesman., 1921-08-20

In the 2S months that nave Eohe
by since the armistice was signed de-
velopments In the production OF uen'h-
dealing instruments of war nave come
with Startling rapidity. The inventive
minds which the war set to work dlu
not cease activity with the signing OF
the armistice. From week to week
and month to month they have gone
right on developing new instruments
for killing men in case of war
The greatest Developments have OF
course. been In the air and gas serN-
Ices. In the meantime, however, hil
other implements of war. whe'her
used by the army or the navy are
being brought to degree of efficiency
never attained before. These deNel-
Opments must be taken into consluer-
alton by the statesmen OF the hNe
great nations. There Is, of course
crying demand that money eXpenul-
lures in preparations for war De re-
duced but after all the big thlng' as
the leading statesmen Of the day view
the situation. is for the great powers
to get together on some plan FOR Inn
iting the use of the new agencies Tor
killing people by the wholesale.
Gas, Too, Must Be Considered.
When it first became known that
the United States intended to invite
the principal allied powers TO attend
the conference here on limitation OF
armaments, 1t was generally assumed
that the conference would devote
most of its time to a discussion OF
naval armaments. Now, however.
partly as result of the experiments
Off the Virginia capes. and partly due
to the fact that IT is going to be gen
orally known that everyone or the
powers is engaged in developing new
poisonous gases, the general unuer-
standing is that the conference Will
probably devote much of its time TO
the question of what limitations snail
be placed on the use of these mouerh
implements of warfare.
Officers of our army and navy say
It is inevitable that civilized nations
in case of another war, would permit
the unlimited use of the destructive
gases that are now in process of de-
velopment. 1t is well known that
some of the powers have developed
gases that could be used in the whole
sale destruction of fleets and vessels
and of arms and men.
Reserves to Be Made Effective.
Under the new military policy
of the government the reserve officers
trimming corps and the citizens train
ing corps become an essential part
of the fighting organization. Avail
able officers and enlisted men of the
regular army may be assigned ap-
propriate duties in connection win
the National Guard, the organized
reserve officers training corps ana
the training camps. Citizen ohcers
on the general staff in the preparation
of policies relating to the organization
and training of the National Guard ana
the organized reserves.
The war force required for imme-
diate mobilization in the event OF emer-
gency is TO be constituted In tiihe Vi
peace and filed as far as practicaDie
through the enrolment or enlistment
of qualified volunteers. Under such a
system ii is reasonable to expect that
the units of the National Guard Will
be maintained at sufficient strength 10
be effective as a first reinforcement
for the regular army. ana that the
units of the organized reserves VIII
at least include a corps of ofhcers'
noncommissioned officers and special
lists organized and trained to receive
and train recruits required in an emer-
gency demanding the large forces.
1t is with the requirements of this
larger war establishment in view that
the peace organization of the regu-
lar army must be determined. Inc
law provides limited number or reSu-
lar enlisted men and number or reg
ular officers in excess of the number
reouired for service with the regular
army proper.
Work for Surplus Officers.
This provision shows clearly the in
tentlon of congress that portion or
The officers authorized are to be en-
ployed in the organization, administra-
tion and development of the National
Guard, the organized reserves, the re-
serve officers training corps and the
citizens training camps. 1t is the
Presidents desire that the regular
army shall be so organized as to carry
out this intent of congress to the full
est extent.
AS the regular army now contains
more regiments and other units than
can be maintained at effective
strength with the authorized enlisted
personnel it is proposed TO retain
suitable number of units at an en-
listed strength effective for immediate
military service and to place the units
thus rendered surplus "out of commits
sion" until such time as congress shall
authorize an increase in the enlisted
strength of the regular army. There