| Description | Marked 'Confidential'.
Titled 'Information in regard to the Chemical Warfare Service, N.A. Data as to aims, growth, organization and legislation, compiled form [sic] files of Bureau of University Relations, Chemical Warfare Service, N.A. For Major Auld of the British Army.'
Under the heading 'Summary':
Gives an extract from the Official Bulletin of July 8th 1918, which outlines the present situation. Discusses chemical warfare, which hitherto has been carried on by divisisions in the Medical Department, and the organisation of the new Chemical Warfare Service, which will be commanded by Major General William L. Sibert. Discusses the responsibilities of the Service. Notes that all chemists currently in or joining the Army will be placed under the Chemical Warfare Service.
Gives a copy letter from the Adjutant General of the Army in Washington, USA; to the Department Commanders, Commanding Officers of Replacement Training Camps, Depot Brigades and Recruiting Depots; and to the heads of Bureaus [misspelt Nureaus] of Staff Corps. Dated 28 May 1918. Discusses the importance of all enlisted men who are graduate chemists being assigned to duty where their special knowledge and training is fully utilised. Notes that enlisted chemists should not be sent overseas unless employed on chemical duties.
Gives a copy letter from the Adjutant General of the Army in Washington, USA; to the Commanding Generals of all Regular Army, National Army and National Guiard Division, all Department Commanders; and all Bureau Chiefs and Staff Departments who will instruct all within their jurisdiction. Directs them regarding men furloughed into industry.
Under the heading 'Suggestion from University Relation Section': hopes that similar provision may be made for enlisted men qualified to direct chemical research.
Under the heading 'Memorandum for the Adjutant General of the Army':
Dated 28 June 1918. Discussees military training in colleges, and makes orders regarding a student's army training corps. Amends this General Order from the War Department (originally given on 10 February 1918) to create the Training and Instruction Branch of the War Plans Devision of the General Staff. Lists its functions. Notes that it will administer the furlough of technical students and teachers.
Gives a copy of the General Orders No. 62 of the War Department in Washington, USA, on 28 June 1918. Places the Experiment Station at the American University under control of the War Department. Organises a Chemical Warfare Service, and discusses its uses and research work (connected mainly to gas warfare). By order of the Secretary of War, Peyton C. March, General of the Chief of Staff. Official is H. P. McCain, the Adjutant General.
Under the heading 'Partial synopsis of the work of the subdivisions of Chemical Service': gives the subdevisions, and what they are charged with doing.
Under the heading 'Industrial Relations Section': Discusses the chemical industries, and maintaining the most effective communication, both during the war and after it.
Under the heading 'The scope of the work of the University Relations Section': dated 23 July 1918. Discusses the importance in war of utilising all available scientific skill. Notes the President of the United States' Act uniting the agencies employing chemical methods and chemical research under a single director. Urges that the chemical service should be recognised as real military service. Discusses the Chemical Warfare Service and the Section of University Relations. Emphasises a supply of chemistry students and chemical workers in teaching laboratories to ensure there will be many in the future. Signed in type by Samuel Avery.
Under the heading 'Appendix': Extracts from memoranda made by Lieutenant Colonel Bogert, Major Lehner, Captain Wells, and others. Discusses an effort to avoid the mistakes of England, France and Canada when they sent men with high degrees of technical skill into active line duty early in the war. Discusses General Orders to avoid this and provide for enlisting chemists. |