The Waterbury Democrat., 1935-02-14

second to none, each with com ponent air forces to meet modern needs. will be demanded by the Reserve Officers Association of the United States in connection with lts program for National Defense Week, February 12th.22nd.
 Departments and chapters of the association throughout the country have been urged to sign and circu- them at once to members of Con. gress, that the legislators may know. of the sentiment for what the association characterizes as Ian adequate national defense"
 In addition members of the as- n0ciation are asked to solicit the interest of senators, representa- lives and other public officials In the plans for National Defense week, and to make the widest possible use of the press and radio to impress on the country the need for q more comprehensive prepa- ration for defense on land and sea.
 Local Chapter Endorses
 Executives and members of the Waterbury chapter of the Reserve Officers association have approved of the plan in general and will undertake to stimulate local in- terest in their success. In addition to publicizing the program of the national organization local mem- bera intend to present resolutions to Connecticut's representatives in congress.
 Considerable enthusiasm locally was generated by the recent na- tionaI defense night as sponsored by the Waterbury Veterans coun- ell. General Fox Conner, conI- manding officer of the first corps area was the principal speaker.
 The movement has been en- dorsed by Secretary of War George H. Dern and Gen John J. Pershing, commander of the American expe- diti0nary force.
 "In connection with the sec-
 ond observance of National
 Defense Week, February 12-
 a, by the Reserve officers As-
 sociation of the United States,
 am exceedingly gratified by
 your patriotic endeavor. which
 should lead to a better under-
 standing of National Defense
 problems by tn epeople of our
 nation.
 'The dates selected era par
 ticularly significant, beginning
 as they do with the birthday
 of the savior of the Union Abraham Lincoln, and ending
 with that of the founder of the
 Union-George Washington"
 Sincerely yours,
 GEORGE H. DERN,
 Secretary of War.
 0eneral John J. Pershing also endorsed the project as is attested by the following communication over his signature:
 "It is very gratifying to me
 to learn that the Reserve
 Officers Association of the Uni- { ted States will sponsor again
 this year the observance of
 National Defense Week, dur
 jug the period February 12th-
 sSnd next.
 'The Reserve officers, cov-
 Seing the entire country and
 representing every community,
 are in a particularly favorable
 position to guide our citizens
 in the right direction, and in
 their patriotic endeavors to
 maintain the country in req
 sonable state of readiness may
 always count upon my sincere
 and earnest support.
 with the active participa-
 tton of every chapter of the
 Reserve Officers Association,
 am sure that your program will meet with the complete | success we all hope for"
 Cordially yours. JOHN J. PERSHING.
 General of the Armies. The First Corps Area, United States Army, one of nine in which the country is divided for purposes of defense, embraces the six New England states. It was organized in 1920 from the old Northeastern Department It's commanding general since 1850 has been Major General Fox Con < ner, who, in June, will complete forty-one years of service in the army.
 Personnel Contrary to general belief, the United States army forces in New England are not large. They num- beF in fact approximately 450 conn < rfissioned officers and 4100 enlist- ! ed men, a force less than twice the size of the Boston police depart meUt (ZZUU OHlcerS aHu HleU). III" fantry troops number only 1862, cavalry but 183; field artillery 57l; coast artillery 649 and air corps but 16 men. In other@words the combat troops of the U. s. Army in New England number about $500 men. The corps of engineers in the six states numbers not more than enlisted men; the Signal Corps but 29; the Finance Depart ment, II; Ordnance, 65; Chemical Warfare Service, 2; Quartermaster Department, 25O; Medical Depart ment. 156; and there are on duty in connection with the civilian c0mponents approximately 200 !, others.
 By states, the United States , army in New Englandn is dlstrib- uted as follows: Massachusetts ....... 1,153 Maine l,l49 New Hampshire ...... 22 Vermont ............ S53 Rhode Island ...... 394 Connecticut ........... b33 The Coast Artillery troops are grouped in the First Coast Artil- lery District. commanded since 1890 by Brigadier General Aston Hamilton. Headquarters are in Boston.
 Infantry troops are grouped in the 18th Brigade under the com