Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1922-01-24
FUTURE
ARMY POLICY
Is REVEALED
Weeks Opposes Any Effort
To DestroyIts Eff
cheney

e. .fa t.E rAE .t-t .'-. ID, Ffr. ..f""i e'"agy -
Washington, Jan. 2;.-Politics 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 accented nv
some officials as revealing for tho
first time since the armament con-
ference met, tho administrations poll
icy for future treatment OF the army,
10 REGARDED A. showing that while the
secretary recognizes the demand for
economy and has already effected
lars. he OPPOSE any effort to destroy
either h efficiency Of the army or its
organization along existing Nnes.
Following action Of the Armament
conference with regard to the gas,
aviation and other scientific develop
ments Of warfare. the letter shows
that steps already have been taken to
Careful Study.
The department has initiated =
careful study" the letter says, ''of
h influence that modern scientific
Developments will have upon the
technique OF warfare. especially with
regard to aviation, gas and tanks.
Widely divergent views appear now to
exist even among professional soldiers
rs to the real owe and limitations
Of the new weapons and the possible
effect Of their use upon practical for
nations in another great war. -
"'By 4 methodical study Of these
divergent views it is hoped to deduce
q reasonable doctrine to govern meth
DDS of training and to assist both
military men and the general public
to a proper viewpoint" f'
Although the letter omits reference
~ to details of the study. 1t is under
stood that missionaries dealing with
every phase of scientific warfare have
been prepared by the general staff
and b~roadcasted throughout the army.
r. Officers to Give Views.
Commanding officers of troops in
the United States = required to sub
NIT nswe to tho questions. giving
not only the thoughts of their troops
on gas. aviation and other weapons,
but to reflect the prevailing civilian
opinions as well. These v will
It is expected that a policy will be
shaped in accordance with predomi-
mating beliefs of the nation.
The letter refers at length to de-
velopment Of the army Of the United
States in its three components. the
regular forces. the national guard and
the organized reserves. Perplcxing
problems involved in the reduction of
the regular strength to 16o,oeo en-
listed mel have been met. 1t says, and
organization of the units allotted to
the national guard has progressed.
Training Planned.
In eighteen national guard divisions,
IN average Of IS per cent completed
units Is reported. with New York 50
per cent and Pennsylvani4 - per
cent complete. The first strength re-
port even submitted of tho organized
reserves. the letter adds. shows q
strength of $500 reserve officers AZ
signed to units and $4,000 others
available for assignment.
summer FOR training the 10000 ma.
tional guards, 10000 reserve ohcers
training corps members. 10000 re,
serve officers. 10000 reserve enlisted
men and $1,000 civilians.
For the purpose of further train
inE Of the national guard by the
states. the letter announced the de-
partment's decision to offer to the
states, under revocable licenses. tbs
wartime cantonments and real estate
ut Camp Lee. Virginia, Camp Jack
jackson. 8. c.. Camp Dodge. Iowa,
Camp Pike. Arkansas, and Camp
Grant. Illinois. In each instance. the
states would be required to bear the
maintenance expenses involved.