Evening star., 1922-06-04
THE ARMY

A fitting promotion to chief of stan
anticipated upon the possible retire.
rent of Gen. Pershing two years
hence is that of the appointment by
Secretary of War Weeks of Maj. Gen.
James c. Harbord. Gen. Pershings 5
able assistant. the present deputy
chief of staff
1t is the intention of the War Secre-
,tary to prepare for the promotion OF
Gen. Harbord by proper legislation,
an that the present law for detail or
officers to the general staff will be
amended SO that in event of Gen.
1ershing's retirement in September.
1924, the War Secretary's wishes can
be carried out in the appointment OF
Gen. Harbord as chief of the general
STAFF.
( The Endorsement for future promo
fion of Gen Harbord al this time.
while the general is in Europe, is
fattering compliment on the part OF
the War Secretary. His action Wili
prove popular one, first to Gen.
Pershing. who was responsible for
the commendable appointment OF Gen
Harbord as deputy chief of stan. ana
by others who have come in contact
with the general.
Secretary of War Weeks in a recent
letter to the Senate and House mlll.
tary committees stated that should
Gen. Pershing remain on the acuNs
list he will continue as chief of stan
until two years from next September
when he retires, after which Zen
Harbord. because of his three years
and two months service, at that time
would not be eligible for appoint
ment as chief off staff for longer
period than ten months until ne hdu
served two years with troops
30 course. we cannot look for
ward with any certainty as to what
will happen two years from now,
said the Secretary. but. if | remain
wish to recommend Gen. Harbord 10
succeed Gen. Pershing. 1t is a natu.
raj promotion. Gen. Harbord VIII
know more thoroughly than any
other officer can the workings of the
War Department and the duties or
the chief, and it does seem to ME TO
be good legislation to have a pro-
vision making it possible for the
President to select any officer he
wishes for such high preferment."
War Gas and Guns.
Extensive experiments have been
carried out at Edgewood arsenal IN
the chemical warfare service to de-
termine the effect of chemical war
fare agents on small arms ammuni-
tion. Concentrations of gas were
used greater than those which IN
general could be expected upon the
battlefield. It was found that ma
chine guns would not be put out OF
action by any concentration of cheml :
cal warfare agents which is at all
feasible under field conditions.
The rumor that machine guns or
other weapons were rut out or action
by gas cloud attacks upon the British
front during the war would seem TO
be exaggerated. There were reports
that small arms in the hands of the
British were put out of action due to
the corrosive effect of the chlorine
gas and other chemical warfare
agents used by the Germans.
Tests of Small Arms.
In connection with the investiga-
ton of the new .50-caliber machine
gun ammunition at the small arms
ballistic testing range at the Aoer-
deem proving ground. much interest
ing and valuable data is collected.
Ranges have been obtained up to
: $500 yards, with the expectation that
the ultimate range Will be in the
neighborhood of $500 to 5000 yards.
Range firing is done with a modi-
fed Decanville 60-centimeter fiat car.
which may be operated on the mar
row-gauge track extending the 1uli
vided with a firing mount capable of
being adjusted in both azimuth and
altitude, and which will receive the
various types of machine mounts for
accurate laying Of small arms and
machine guns.
Promotion of Reserve Omcers.
In order that former officers as
class, who failed to take advantage
of the opportunity given them be-
fore enactment of the act of June 4,
1920. to secure appointment in the
grade next above that held by them
at termination of hostilities, might
not be unduly handicapped, pro-
vision permitting the giving of double
credit for active war service in. COM
, pletins the required three years
service in the grade in which ap-
pointed Is now incorporated in spe-