OFFICERS, fo the Editor of the "Nonra-Caixa Datty News."
Suz,—To the best of my knowledge no satisfactory ruling has yet been pronounced upon the matter—question of whether a Temporary officer should retain his rank after demobilization.
There is, of course, no question as.to his right so to retain it—such right being established by Army Order 376 of 1918 which—in the matter of retention of rank applies to officers both, of the New" and "Old" armies.
The real question at issue is, "Is it done?"
The arguments for and against are _multitudinous.
"For" it may be said" that. the. "demobbed" officer has earned his rank under actual—_ conditions hich the "regular" may never called upon to face—that having been granted a commission by his King, it is his privilege and duty not to forgo outward recognition of the distinction. "Against," that the retention of ary rank in private life is misleading, confusing past with preset service.
It would be useful if you would open your columns to a discussion of a matter that is of interest ta great many, who, while reluct: ant to claim what is not freely admitted, are equally reluctant to resign what is reminiscent of a time when the things that mattered were so continually evidence.
J.am, ete., Shanghai, July 27.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.