Evening star., 1923-08-12

Have Faith In Massachusetts," a
book which contains the speeches
and addresses Of President Coolidge,
not only indicates that he believes
In preparedness. but that he is
close student of military affairs.
During the great war the President,
then Governor Of Massachusetts,, gave
his hearty support to speed up the
war and he was an ardent supporter
of the selective draft act and other
war measures. That he Is a stanch
believer In the amended national
defense act Is further evidenced by
the attendance of one of his sons in
the Citizens Military Training Camp
at Camp Devens, Mass.
Along In September Of 1918. when
the American Army was making
steady advances, the President said
in part;
ing overwhelmingly won. A righte-
GUS purpose will not only strengthen
our arms abroad. but will exalt the
nation at home.
THE great work before us is to
keep this new spirit in the right
path. The opportunity for military
training, the beneficial results of Its
discipline. must be continued for the
youth OF our country. The sacrifice
necessary for national defense must
hereafter never be neglected. The
virtues OF war must be carried into
peace"
Eight days before the armistice was
signed the President delivered an
other address in which he declared
that the science OF national defense
should be made universal to the
youth OF the nation. On this subject
he said
"One of our first duties is military
training. The opportunity hereafter
for the youth of the nation to receive
instruction in the science OF national
defense should be universal. The
experience has brought Is the devel-
opment of man power. This includes
many questions. but especially public
health and mental equipment. SAM
tation and education will require
more attention In the future"
Throughout the book there are
number OF his speeches which reveal
the fact that the President Is be-
lever in an adequate Regular Army.
The slashing OF the War Department
appropriations by the last Congress
prevented thousands of young men
throughout the country from taking
a course Of military training at the
various citizens military training
camps. i ne National 1udrO mas Iikc-
wise suffered in this respect. as has
also the Reserve Officers Training
Corps and the Reserve Officers Corps.
Whether or not the War Department
budget estimates. which will be sub
mitted TO the next Congress. will be
cut 10 the bone by the pacinst ele-
ment. time alone can tell. but II is
stated that the President has a mind
of his own on this most important
subject.
Regulations dealing with the pro-
motion Of non-Commissioned officers
are now being drawn up by the War
Department. Although the prepara-
ton OF these regulations has been
going on for some time, there is so
much detail work 10 be done on the
subject that il is not expected that
they will be printed and distributed
to the services before January l. 1924.
and il may be later The various
branches in the War Department are
being consulted relative to questions
pertaining to the many perp!exing
problems arising out of the numerous
promotion tangies. The proposed
regulations are being reviewed by
the different chiefs OF branches. on
completion of which they are re-
turned to the War Department with
their comments and recommendation
Little information is obtainable re
garding them. due to the fact that
AS obtains at the present time
regimental promotions will rest with
the regimeutal commanders. A change
will be made in the promotion Of
ION commissioned officers OF the staff
corps, IN that advancement in these
branches will be based on a competi-
tive examination and promotion list
be created.
The regulation will prescribe the
various requirements which must be
possessed by each candidate who pre-
sents himself for examination for
promotion. In certain grades it is
stated that a candidate must have
served a certain length of time before
he can be eligible to take the exami-
nation. Those non-coms who sue
cessfully pass the competitive exami-
nation, il is understood. will be placed
on an eligible list from which the
promotions will be made and which
will be effective for twelve months
Should promotion be rapid due TO
deaths. retirements and other un-
foreseen developments and the list in
! any grade or branch become exhaust
| ed. IL is probable that another ex-
! visions made which would tempo
| rarily take care of the emergency.
At a point near Maria, Tex. near
| the Big Bend district, the 1st Cavalry
| Division will be concentrated for
| its annual maneuvers for a fifteen
day period on or about September %.
| has been placed at the government 8
| disposal for the holding of these an
! nual war games.
The maneuvers will not only Illus
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