Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1924-04-03
US, WAR FORCES
To Be Modified
DEMONSTRATION OF PREPARED
NESS SEPT. IL, DAY BEFORE
GEN. PERsRlNG RETIRES.
Rv EDWARD B. CLARK

BY EDWARD 3. CLARK
Washington-Thi year on Septem-
Der 13 Gen. John J. Pershing retires
from active service in the army. On
the day before his retirement, Septem-
Der u, which happens to be the ami
versary of the battle of ST. Mihiel in
which the American troops wrenched
the salient Of that name from the
grasp of the Germans, there will be
mobilization of the military organiza-
lions of the United States.
General Pershing will return to
Washington from Europe in April and
then he will be asked to give final ap-
prevail to the tentative plan OF the
mobilization which already has been
given the sanction of John W. Weeks,
secretary OF war.
The plan for the mobilization of the
troops, regulars, National Guard and
organized reserves, was one OF Per
shings own, for he suggested 1t some
time ago as a means of demonstrat-
ing the practicability of the new mill
tary system as provided for in the
National Defense act which was
passed by congress three years ago.
The adiutant generals of all the
states already have been notified OF
the plan and have been given 1nstruc-
tions concerning the part in which the
National Guard shall play. The ar
rangementS for the mobilization al
ready are well advanced. Under the
a.
service peace establishment OF the
United States includes the regular
army, the National Guard of each
state, and the organized reserves. To
gether these form the basis for COM
plete and immediate mobilization for
the defense of the country in ma
tional emergency.
Will Move as If Called to War.
Next September it is proposed that
these three branches Of the army shall
i move as If they had been called to
service by declaration of war by
the United States congress. It is pos
gible that the units Of the American
Red Cross will be brought into the
| scheme of mobilization. 1t also is pos
sible that the members of the various
draft boards that operated during the
World war will be asked to meet just
as they would if actual war had de-
scended on the land.
There is a further suggestion, but 1t
is somewhat doubtful as yet as to
whether it will be. accepted. 1t may
be that the various posts Of the Amer
lean Legion will be asked to take part
In the demonstration which is expect
ed to prove that such active and re-
serve forces as we have quickly can
be reinforced by former service men
in time Of the nations need Regular
army troops will take part in those
activities at the camps and posts
where they are stationed which they
would be called upon to engage in II
an order for war mobilization had
gone out. The whole thing will be
done exactly as it would be done If
i war had come and the mastering of
the defense forces were necessary
The National Guard troops and the
organized reserves will mobilize at
their home stations and will prepare
themselves as If in readiness for an
actual call to war The whole scheme
Is to test the efficiency of the plans
OF the general staff for action in case
of threatened hostilities.
Military Parades Suggested.
1t is more than possible, in order
to give additional interest to the op-
GRAFTON, that after the mobilization
proper has been completed there will
be military parades in the various
cities and towns of the country which
are in contact with the troops 1t is
not known whether or not there can
be a demonstration Of the Industrial
preparedness of the United States for
war at the time of the mobilization of
the troops. The War department has
prepared complete plan for the di-
recting Of industry into the paths of
service to the country in time OF war.
It readily can be understood, however,
that demonstration of this kind Of
preparedness is much more difficult
than one which is purely military.
i PLANE for industrial mobilization
have been drawn and the industrial
chieftains of the country already I'M
derstand the situation and know what
Is expected of industry in case war
shall come. 1t is the hope of the gov
eminent authorities that if another ma
tional emergency shall arise the de-
LAYS and the mistakes Of 1917 can be
avoided
The whole plan is to have the coun-
try in all its ramifications of military
man-power and Industrial man-power
prepared to give itself instantly to the
service of the government. It is fully
expected in Washington that as soon
as the peace societies, the |. w. WIS,
and the communists catch sight of
the uniforms on September II, a wall
will go up that the United States is
preparing to become m1l1taristic In
endeavor and in practice. This of
course is expected and has been dis
counted in advance.
The entire work of the government
authorities has been simply to make
It certain that If war is forced on
Uncle Sam, he shall have proper means
at hand to protect himself from in
yasion and to save his land and his
properties from the enemy.
Convention Gossip.