The Washington herald., 1915-09-20
MANY 6, v. U. STUDENTS
EXPECTED To enlist
Company of Coast Artillery at Uni
versity May Grow to
Battalion.

A coast artillery company, to form a
part of the District National Guard, is
being organized at George Washington
University. Thirty-fve students and
graduates already have signified their
desire Of joining and it is expected the
number will increase following the open
ing of the university. September %.
Rrmal organization of the company
will be effected at meeting to be held
soon after the opening of college. An
nouncement of the intention of the board
| Of trustees to form the company was
| made early in the summer and the COM
| mittee in charge of the work has been
| busy during the vacation season formu-
] lating plans. This committee is COM
posed of Rear Admiral Charles Herbert
Stockton, L. S. N, retired. president OF
the university: Gen. Maxwell V. Il.
| Woodruff. Ernest L. Thurston, superin-
tendent of public schools: John r. Lar
| ner, president of the board OF trustees,
and Archibald Hopkins.
| Gen. William A. Harvey. commander
| of the District militia. is enthusiastic
4 over the project. He believes that
strong coast artillery company and pos
| sibly a battalion can he formed from the
ranks of the 1850 students at the inst-
| tuition. He is of the opinion that ar
rangements can be made to permit the
| members of the company to make ire
quent visits to Fort Washington on the
Potomac to get the benefit of practice
| with the coast defense guns mounted
there.
Admiral Stockton believes that the
company will offer the students training
that at present is much needed. He says
the drill work will develop the students
H., hon Salf-rnI,-
troll. The board of trustees has issued
| this statement of their reasons for the
organizing of the company:
THAT in the present uncertain condi-
| ton of our i International relations 1t
seems to be proper that the university.
appealing to the loyalty and patriotism
/ of the alumni and students. should call
upon them to organize under the sanction
| of the university company or battalion
| of coast artillery to be ready at the call
OF their country to render to her that
service which they owe to her as citizens
of the United States.
Should the country he spared the evils
| of war. they, nevertheless. believe that
/ il is wise that the students of all colleges
and universities should receive military
instruction TO prepare them for any fur
ther possible call to the colors should the
nation at anv time need their services.
THE demand for officers to organize
the volunteer army. should the necessities
| OF the country compel call for volun-
teers at any time In the future. must be
appar rent to every citizen. Should the
students of the university. and of the
other universities of the country. receive
military training during their residence
at the university. they will be fitted to
assume the duties of officers in the volun-
teer army. and 1t is to prepare them for
such future responsibilities that the pres
ent action is taken.
And, finally. 1t is believed that military
! drill and discipline are of great use in
developing physique and character: that
he who learns to obey is the best fitted
for command: and holding firmly to this
belief the president and trustees of the
university address the alumni and stu
dents. calling upon them to enroll them
selves In this service"