THREE FACTORS

There are three important factors to be considered in demobilisation. The first is the size of the Army, Navy, and Air Force – that is to say, the post-bellum but not permanent size. Next, there is the machinery of discharge; and, thirdly, the economic situation at home. As to the size of the Army, that is practically settled by Marshal Foch. With regard to the machinery of discharge, that can be simplified or rendered more difficult according to the method adopted. Discharge could be by unit. It would be very slow, but far simpler than a selective basis (according to length of service, married or single, industrial occupation, or by chance of names). The method that has been adopted as a preliminary measure is to bring men back first of all on a nominal basis, selecting, as far as possible, the men most essential to industry. Of course, to demobilise an army and navy of something like seven millions is a colossal task, but it has only been adopted as a beginning, because to-day we have an armistice and not a peace. As soon as the present situation is over, and the strain on the Army relieved, there is to be a change from the nominal to the industrial basis, but again a selective one. Then, later, resorting to the method of bringing formations home and demobilising them. A great difficulty in the way of the release of individual “pivotal” and “slip” men is the fact that these men, by virtue of their qualifications, are also “pivotal” in the Army. Men holding positions in services such as transportation, cannot at present be spared. Demands on this branch, by reason of the advance to the Rhine, are even greater than during active fighting. The same considerations apply to the Army Service Corps. Army Ordnance Corps, Veterinary Corps, but substitution will be effected as far as possible to facilitate the release of men urgently required for the development of industry.