Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1924-08-02
PLAN AND MOTIVE
FOR DEFENSE: DAY"
GIVEN IN DETAIL

WASHINGTON, July 30.-Plans
| for the observance of September II
| as Defense day, a project which has
become a subject of much public con-
| troversy, are laid down in detail in
! instructions sent by the war depart
ment to the chiefs of all its branches
and to the commanding generals Of
all corps areas.
! AS made public by the department
FLOR the first, time, the instructions
say that the general plan for the
w." patriotic demonstrations and a
test mobilization" BY way of pre-
face, it is explained that in lieu of
extensive field exercises, which for
economic reasons cannot be held dur.
ing the present calendar year, the
secretary of war has decided to
initiate for continental United States
mobilization demonstration which
will serve as an occasion for assem-
lie manifestations Of loyalty and
practical patriotism.''
The document, several thousand
words in length, continues in part;
1T is expected that the initial
mobilization plans will be in such a
state by September -, 1924, that
it will be practicable on this occa-
sion to subject the underlying prin-
ciples thereof to analysis and tests.
Based, as they are, upon the expert
ence Of 1917 and 1918, the policy is
embodied wherever believed to be
practicable. Local mobilization, a
special feature in the new moblliZa-
ton plans, will be emphasized and
tried out. by this test. This should
eliminate much of the delay and co1-
fusion caused by hurried eXpediency
in the past.
For Public's Publication
'"The plans and the decenrralized
auth GRITTY to be exercised by corps
area commanders and state officials
depend for their effectiveness upon
the public realizing the methods of
operation. Each person should know
something OF the agencies which
guide the efforts of his community.
Consequently, wherever there are
military units of any character on
September u, 1924, the procedure
of mobilization will be demonstrated
as fully as is prac ticable without eX-
ira expenditure of public funds. Eff
forts will be made to test the value
and reveal the defects of the plans.
ut is the purpose of the war de-
partment to prescribe the general
plan only, leaving to the command
inc generals of corps areas and the
district of Washington and to chiefs
OF branches in connection with ac-
tivities under their control, the de-
tailed plans for carrying into effect
the general plan which has two
main detectives, namely, patriotic
demonstrations and a test moblllza-
ton"
In connection with the patriotic
demonstration, corps area COM
manderS are informed that the pur-
pose SIS to depict the progress OF
mobiizati ton, the dependency OF
units on the community to which
allocated and the contribution in
personnel that would be expected
from each community in the event
Of IA national emergency
For that purpose the commanders
are diVected to make efforts in CO.
operation with state and municipal
officials to see that every communi-
ty in the country holds some form
of observance on the day Of the
test. 1T is pointed out also that the
occasion will afford opportunity for
patriotic meetings and for local pa
rades of military units which
SHOULD be conducted under the aus
Il Of
mittees named and supported by
state executives with full assistance
and cooperation of corps area and
subordinate commanders"
Civilian Committees
The commanders were directed to
take up the matter confidentially
with state and local authorities as
to appointment of civilian commit
tees as of the date the instructions
were issued, April &c, last. The
civilian committees it was added,
would represent state and local
agencies (which would be used in
procurement under either a volun-
teer or selective service system of
the men necessary to fill up the
ranks of all branches of the army
Their functions in this respect
should be demonstrated in each
community by filling the ranks of
the organization stationed in the vi
entity" the circular of instructions
continued, "the personnel for which
may be secured through invitations
to civilians of military age to serve
for the day only with specified units
during their participation in parades
and. patriotic demonstrations"
1t was pointed out also. however,
that it may not be expedient in
some localities" to bring about this
voluntary assembly of men of mill
tary age, and the instructions added
IhaJ such an effort should not be
undertaken in an yterritory without
the al roval of the iacai Elooliiya-
ton committee