Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1922-01-24
Sec. Weeks Tells
of Policies and
Activities War Dept.

ACTIVITIES war Dept.
Washington. Jan. 23.-Policies and
activities Of the war department with
reference to the land forces of the
country are reviewed in a letter to
the chairman of the senate and house
military committees made public to-
day by Secretary Weeks. The letter,
which is accepted by some officials as
revealing for the first time since the
armament conference met; the adj
ministration's policy for future treat
ment of the army, is, regarded as
showing that while the secretary
recognizes the demand for economy
and has already effected savings ag-
gregating millions of dollars, he OPP
poses any effort to destroy either the
efficiency CT the army or its organiZa-
ton along existing lines.
Following action of disarmament
conference with regard to gas. avia-
ton and other scientific developments
of warfare, the letter shows that
steps already have been taken to
apply new methods to army training.
THE department has initiated
careful study" the letter said. ION
the influence that modern scientific
Developments will have upon the
technique of warfare, especially With
regard to aviation. gas and tanks.
Widely different views appear now to
exist even among professional col
dicrs as to the real powers and limi-
tations of the new weapons and the
possible effects of their use upon
practical formations in another great
war.
, by methodical study Of these
divergent views it is hoped to deduct
a reasonable doctrine to govern
methods of training and to assist
both military men and the general
public to a proper viewpoint"
The letter refers at length to de-el-
opment to army of the United States
in its three compononts the regular
| forces. the National Guard and the
organized reserves. PerpleXng prob
lens involved in the reduction of the
| reg uldT SlltDStn 10 I3U,hUU PnI1SIPO
men have been met. it says, and or
ganizaton of units allotted to the
National Guard has progressed. The
first strength report ever submitted
of the organized reserves, the letter
adds. shows a strength of 1900 re-
| serves officers assigned to units and
10000 others available for assignment.
The regular troops will he used by
the army for training 10000 Naticn-
al Guard. 10000 reserve officer train
ing corps members. 10000 reserve of
ficers, 100 900 reserve enlisted men and
1900 civilians.
For purposes Of further training
of the National Guard by the states,
the letter announces the departments
decision to offer the states, under re-
vocable license. the wartime canton
ments and real estate at Camp Lee.
Va. Camp Jackson. s. c.. Camp
Dodge, Iowa, Camp Pike. Ark. and
Camp Grant. Ills. In each instance,
these states will be required to bear
the maintenance expenses involved.
1T is planned to retain Camp
Meade Md. Camp Travis. Texas;
ly in their present condition, s per-
manent stations of three regular
army infantry divisions" the letter
continues.
Camp Devens. Mass. Camp Dix,
n. j.. Camp McClelland, Ala, and
Camp Custer. Michigan. have been
selected for training centers Of the
first second. fourth, and six corrs
areas. respectively"
Referring to economies effected. the
letter says:
"Realzation as to the necessity and
desirability for such action is ZEN
eral throughout the military service.
OF the measures which have been
taken. many were minor in character.
but there has resulted the saving of
many millions of dollars in the ag-
gregate."