The Washington herald., 1916-04-22
By f. b. JOHNS.

Instead OF being sent to France to
aght in the trenches as indicated by
the dispatches the Russian force which
was landed at the port of Marseilles
is there for training purposes. AL
least this is the opinion OF a number
of the members of the general stan
who make it their business to STUDY
the movements of the belligerents in
the European War.
1t is probably the largest training
project that has ever been undertaken
by any country. 1t has been notorious
that the Russian army since the begin
ming of the war has been hard pressed
for trained officers and non-commis-
stoned officers. Russia has plenty OF
men but has had comparatively few
officers and drill masters. This even
more than a shortage of ammunition
has been responsible for inability to
hold the Germans or gain any perma-
nent success against the central
powers.
Reports that a force of Russian
troops would be sent into France for
training reached the War Department
three or four months ago. According
to gossip in military circles of Eu-
rope as many as two or three divisions
of Russian troops were to be placed
in France where their officers would
be given opportunity to attend French
officers schools and observe the man
ner in which France is handling her
forces The enlisted personnel and
noncommissioned officers will be
placed under the drill masters of the
French army. Many of the noncom-
missioned officers and the high-class
privates of the French army who are
recovering from wounds and cannot
serve in the trenches could be assigned
to the Russian troops as instructors.
AS fast as the Russian officers and
enlisted men are brought up to
state of efficiency it is believed that
they will be returned to Russia ana
distributed throughout the Russian
army France, il is understood, is
now to assume the same role in fur
nishing her allies with instructors and
Officers as Germany has. The only diff
ference is that Russia is sending
troops into France for training while
Germany has sent officers to Austria,
Turkey and even Bulgaria to tram the
forces of their allies. The German
stan controls the campaigns OF the
central powers and brings about a CO.
operation between the different armies.
1t is believed that the French general
stan is assuming the control OF the
allies forces under practically the
same circumstances.
A naval militia pay bill, which mas
the Endorsement of the Naval Militia
Board. will shortly be submitted to the
Secretary Of the Navy. 1t is proposed
to make 1t an amendment to the naval
appropriation bill in the same manner
as the National Guard legislation has
been attached to the army reorganization
bill.
The bill is modelled after the Chamber
lain militia pay bill 1t authorizes the
President to draft the naval militia,
which complies with the provisions OF
the bill Upon being drafted by the Pres
ident the members of the naval militia
are relieved from duty with the State
militia The bill creates force which
Is to be known as the United States
Naval Volunteers" 1t is set forth that
the United States Naval Volunteers are
to be called into the service Of the Fed
eral government when war is actual or
Imminent The President is made the
sole Judge as to when tthe naval militia
Is to be drafted into the service OF the
Federal government He Is also au-
thorized to prescribe standards of EN-
cheney and regulations under which the
navy militia is to be trained.
Offcers of and above the rank Of lieu
tenants are to receive salary Of $500,
officers of the rank OF lieutenant junior
grade 1900, and ensigns, $3.50. The salary
Of warrant officers is fixed at $50, Chief
petty officers, petty officers, noncommis-
stoned officers and other enlisted men are
to receive 25 per cent of the pay OF the
corresponding grades in the United
States navy and Marine Corps. The limit