The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1923-06-04
Maj Gen. Duncan. in Bis.
marck, Says World War
Shows America Not In
clined That Way
VISITS FORT LINCOLN
JPays Respects to Governor
Is Entertained by Local
Committee Here


paration will make a militaristic ma
tion out Of the United States, Major
General George Duncan of Omaha,
Neb., commanding the seventh corps
area, U. S. Army, said today in Bis
marck. Gen. Duncan with Col. Heaton
is here on an inspection, having not
visited North Dakota, which is in MS
area, before.
This talk of militarism amuses
me- said Gen. Duncan. I'VE had A.
100000 men in the army during the
World War and about 100000 in
France and when it was all over they
~ said "No more for me-" At the
Same time every one Of them would
answer the call again. That's the
way our people are and all this talk
about the country becoming militar-
iStic is just rot" The general added
that 81 was as glad to get home as
the rest"
I General Duncan, met at the train
When he arrived shortly before noon
by Major Harold Sorenson of the Ad
jutant Generals department and a
group of citizens, was in civilian
clothes and on an entirely informal
visit, he said. He planned to call
upon Governor Nestos, discuss Ma
tonal Guard affairs at the Adjutant
Generals office and visit Fort Lin
coin.
Economic in Army
Gen. Duncan said that the country,
being in period of readjustmert
and great economies being demanded
by Congress the War Department had
cooperated in this spirit. The num-
/ ber of civilian employees had been re-
duced to within five percent of the
number before the war, he said. Con-
sideringe the troubled state of the
world today, he said, the size and al
lowances Of the army are perhaps a
little below the margin of safety.
During the war General Duncan
commanded many North Dakota boys.
He went to France as commander of
the first brigade of the First Divi-
sion, became major-general in COM
mand of the 77th, or New York, div-
sion and the Send division, the ALI
American division. The latter divi-
sion he commanded during the Ar
gonne forest battle under a longer
period of sustained action than any
other division.
Great interest was evidenced by
General Duncan in the reserve corps,
apd the civilian military training
cJmps and the r. o. T. c. units IN
the universities and colleges.
Praises Guard
The manner in which the National
Guard had been handled in Moth
Dakota by Adjutant General Fraser
and Major Harold Sorenson, was
highly satisfactory, he said. The es
tfmates of expenses and ALLEGATION |
of funds for the guard "are models
of excellence and show an apprecia-
tion of the necessity for economy"
he said.
W. c. McFadden of Fargo was
praised for his leadership in the
work of selecting applicants to the
civilian training Camps. 1t is the de-
sire the General said, to give oppor-
tunlty to young men in all sections |
to enroll in these camps, rather than |
fill up the number from a few CEN
trail points, as could easily be dee. !
He also remarked of the fine work
being done in the r. O. T. C. units
at the University of North Dakota
and Agricultural College, and said
that he regarded this training as zone
OF the most important factors in
keeping within the margin of safety
in military preparation"
Visits Fort
Regarding his visit to Fort Lin.
coin he said that it had no bearing on
any possible reoccupation of the mil
itary post. Fort Lincoln, he said, Is
one of number of posts not occupi-
ed now by the War Department be-
cause facilities are greater than che
personnel of the army. He wished,
he said, to acquaint himself with
conditions at the post SO that il any.
thing with regard to reoccupation
came before him as commander of
the seventh corps area he would oe
informed.
General Duncan was entertained at
luncheon at the Grand Pacific hotel
|and an Association of Commerce COM
'mittee accompanied him, Major Dor
enson, w. G. Black, state engineer,
and w. P. Gettleman, of the highway
commission, on the visit to Ft. Lin
coin.