WAR NOTES

Evening Star, Issue 16995, 18 March 1919, Page 6

WAR NOTES

-—• [Bv Impehiai. Yeoman, for Dunedi ‘ Star. LONDON, January 22DEMOBILISATION. There is no question connected with the Army at the present time which attracts greater attention Chan that of demobilisation, It is perhaps only natural that some dissatisfaction is felt at whit appears to be dilatory methods. Matters are improving, however, arid it is quite evident that the authorities are doing their ’ Ibest to 'be fair to the men, and at the ! same time do that which is most benc- , fioial for the Empire. OiT the one hand ! there is the natural wish to release men i first who were volunteers, and who can show three or more years’ service. That this section of the Army shall receive conj sideration is very right and proper. There is also the question of what may be termed pivot men. That is to say, men who in. civil life filled an important part in our industries, and whom it is necessary to gel back first, so that they may organise various businesses and enterprises, and so prepare the ground for the return of the rank and file. Now seme of these pivot men are naturally well on in years, and entered the Army towards the latter stageof the fighting. There is sure to be a good deal in " the way of grumbling because these men are released before many younger men with longer service. It must j be recognised, however, that the good cf the community must be considered. Another matter in connection with demobilisation is this: If the authorities were prepared to release, say, a million men, o ■ . even half that number, within a shor ' period, it wcu’d certainly do more ham ‘1 ' than gjod. The all-important problem of finding work for the men released from the A Army must be dealt with. Coupled with ] this is the fact that a very large section J of workers who have been engaged on the * production of munitions and other war ; , material are also competitors in the labor 1 | market. It is, of course, recognised that j tho fi hters must have the preference, and , 1 unless this matter is handled careful l j there will be serious trouble. If men wh, 1 ! gave up rood positions in many cases ti 9 i do their bit return to civil life and fir. 9 | it difficult to secure employment owing 1 9 the presence in workTiors and elsewhere 011 those who avoided service, then we must ™ naturally expect serious complications. WORK FOR ALL. Providing prompt and proper measure* are taken at once, there should be no diffi- ' culty in finding civil employment for the | fighters as they are released. It is up to ! the fighters themselves to see that they 1 get fair play, and tiler are numerous i enough to combine for that purpose, j Here, for instance, are a few suggestions: | All Government positions should be reserved for men who have served. Apart ' from the Army, the Navy, and the Flying Corps, this would take in the police, the postal authorities, the Customs and rei venue, the Civil service, the Foreign Office, ! the consular service, coast guards, fire ' bri ade, and the municipal employees, and in the event of the setting up of national factories these would also be included. The question naturally arises as to what shall I be done with those workers in the depart- , ments and services named who have not j served in this or other wars. Those who were above military age or who failed to I pass diT medical grounds should be re- ; tinned, but all others who did not serve, I although eligible, should be made to make | way for those who have done their duty !to the State. Wo know that the Govern i ment will take no such steps, as, unforfe , irately, we have had evidence of consols*JM ; tious objectors being found remunerat '.9 posts under the' Government. It will tho fault of those who have served, R. '9 ever, if they fail to exact justice. It WU, rt he a national disgrace if shirkers are permitted to fill Government posts whilst. . fighters are left outside. THE ARMY OF OCCUPATION. From what we know already, it appears w to be the intention of the Government 1 .3J utilise the services of young soldiers , : 9 the purpose of garrisoning the Rhino to 9 which wo have occupied. The intention ’9 good, tho idea being to use soldiers with* only a short service and. to release those who have served two, three. Hr more years. There is one drawback, however, and that a very important one. A young soldier who perhaps has seen little or no fighting service is not so likely to conduct himself with tho same dignity as a soldier who lias met the Germans on tho battlefield, and has first-hand knowledge j of some of the atrocities the Huns have i committed. Wo are already aware that some of tho German people and German soldiers are conducting themselves in a somewhat arrogant manner. This being so. our ■ garrison troops will have to dee* firmly with thorn, and undoubtedly the so-, diers most fitted to do so are those who have had personal experience of Hun methods. This same argument applies in regard to escorts and guards for Hun prisoners, and it woidd certainly be advisable if the authorities selected these from soldiers who themselves have been prisoners in Germany. These points are worth considering! We certainly need a lead in ; his matter! and it should be forthcoming from soldiers who have been demobilised, .and overseas men in Canada, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand ought _to band together for the purpose of making common enure in these questions. _ They might, even approach their Prime Ministers with a view to bringing their views to the notice ol" the War Cabinet. If they tell to do so, matters affecting soldiers generally will be carried through by tho Homo authorities in tho old way, and once accomplished it may be difficult to bring about alterations.