10 

 DEMOBILIZATION OF ARMY. 



Much interest naturally attaches itself, now that fighting has 

 ceased, to the matter of reconstruction or readjustment of industry 

 and of agriculture. This involves, of course, the demobilization of 

 the Army and the return not only of millions of men from military 

 life to their former civilian pursuits, but also the release of a great 

 number of laborers from industrial establishments which were greatly 

 expanded to meet special war requirements. The process of demo- 

 bilization is under way. Plans are on foot to vacate the camps in 

 this country and to send back within a very few days a quarter of a 

 million men. I can not speak officially as to the time or method of 

 withdrawing men from France. How many men we shall have to keep 

 there for a considerable period, I do not know. The war is not yet 

 over. We are still in a state of war. We shall have to assist in the 

 military occupation of German territory. Even if there were no work 

 for any part of the Army in France, we probably could not get all 

 our men back, under the most favorable transportation conditions, in 

 much less than a year. We must expect that they will be returned 

 by installments. Naturally those outside of the regular Army who 

 have been abroad longest will be brought back fust. This, I assume, 

 will be the guiding principle. It would be impossible to act exclu- 

 sively on the principle of returning men by occupations. Such a 

 plan would disrupt the Army units, but, within all possible limitations, 

 in withdrawing men due regard will be had to essential occupations, 

 including agriculture. 



OPPORTUNITIES MUST BE GIVEN RETURNING SOLDIERS. 



What shall we do with the men when they return from France 

 and what will become of those engaged in specialized war industries? 

 Is it likely that we shall have to be concerned with the larger per- 

 centage of our boys? Will not those who have come from the farms, 

 who own farms, or who lived on their father's farms, as a rule, return 

 to them as quickly as possible? Certainly the farms need them. 

 Many others have professions, trades, or occupations awaiting them. 

 The experience of some of the nations to date, especially Canada, 

 would seem to indicate that the greater percentage of the returning 

 men will not call for special action on the part of the Government. 

 Canada has been in the war nearly five years. Many men have 

 returned who could not be sent back to the Army. A Canadian 

 official recently told me that 90 per cent of the returning men did 

 not wish to be bothered and that they had to interest themselves, 

 therefore, in only approximately 10 per cent. However, no one will 

 hesitate to say that every consideration must be given to returning 

 soldiers who have no places waiting for them and who will be seeking 



