The Washington herald., 1907-11-12

New York, Nov. 4l-There is a rush on
of husky young men seeking to enlist in
the United States navy and in the marine
corps at the recruiting stations in this
city
Hundreds were attracted by the pros
pect of a free round-the-world trip with
the Atlantic feet war ships. Not since
the Spanish-American var have there
been so many applicants for positions in
the navy.
The official confirmation of the fact that
Rear Admiral r. D. Evans and his fleet
of sixteen battle ships were scheduled to
go TO the west coast Of America. caused
an increase in applications. but all records
have been broken at the recruiting stu
tions OF this city. Boston. Philadelphia.
and Baltimore since the added announce
ment that from the Pacific the feet is to
90 to Japan and return by way Of the
Suez Canal, practically circumnavigating
the globe. The recruiting stations Of Chi
cago and St Louis have also reported un-
usual activity.
Many EnIistments Inland.
Reports from the cruiser Wolverine and
the converted gunboat Wasp which are
assigned 10 the duty OF taking recruiting
parties into inland waters in search Of
new blood for the service, are more en-
couraging than at any time since the
moving recruiting stations were founded.
An officer OF one OF the ships wrote 70
doctor stationed at the navy yard in
Brooklyn:
If the proposed passage OF the North
Atlantic fleet accomplishes nothing else.
II Will be the means of introducing into
the service some Of the finest enlisted
men that it has ever been my pleasure to
examine. Great, big brawny chaps they
are coming from the plow, the blast fur
mace, and the rOundhouse. al eager 10 get
into whites and blues. They are coming
IN droves at every point we call l ex-
amined twenty-four applicants this after
noon and had TO reject only two Of them.
These were perfect as to height and
weight. but both were under age. Wait
and see some OF the stalwarts we are get
ting"
Large Enlistment Increase.
Il was announced to-day that the in
crease in the number Of enlistments for
October was about 50 per cent over any
year since 1898. when the Spanish war
was on. The increase is not confined to
the list Of eligible tars. but also en-
braces a remarkable activity among
those who want TO be machinists. fire
men, electricians. musicians. hospital at
tendants carpenters. plumbers, stewards,
and painters.
Thousands Of raw 'uns" are going
into the Marine Corps. too. the induce
ment Of playing sailor and soldier while
travelling around the world az the gov
ernments expense being a great attrac-
ton to those who love adventure. At
one recruiting station in West street
there We're over $50 applicants for service
IN the Marine Corps during October. an
Increase Of over 300.
About 10 per cent Of the number OF city
applicants are able 20 pass the physical
examination, however. The enlistment i'm
the Marine Corps is for four years. and
there is 70 per cent increase In wages
for foreign service.
Lieut.. Charles J. r. GUggenheim. OF
the United States Marine Corps, IN charge
of West street recruiting station. had
long string of applicants in line to-day.
and stOrekeeper underneath said that
in all his experience Of many years ne
never saw so many applicants for enlist
ment
''The rOund-the-world trip is what is
dazzling these fellows" said the shop
keeper. They are going to see a lot
but what strikes them is that somebody
else is going 10 pay their way"