New-York tribune., 1916-01-23
"Avenge the Lusitania!''
Cry of Americans In
Canada's Ranks.
BATTALION MADE UP
OF RICH AND POOR
Many Are Veterans and Some
Already Bear the Scars
of Battle.
fBy Telegraph to Ire rfftune. !

Toronto, Jan. % Anybody whose
blood tingles for real thrills, the kind
that come from looking death in the
face and living TO tell the story. has but
to step into the barracks Of the Ameri-
can Legion here to find himself in the
genuine Adventurers' Club, U. 8. A..
The romantic New York bank clerk
who had yearned for emancipation from
his books. the Texas Ranger who Is
familiar with the feel of frearm. the
volunteers who have grown disgusted
with Mexican brlgandage, and the Alas
kan miner who prefers glory to gold
all are housed in the camp here that
coon will be transferred bodily to the
trenches Of France.
Germany has announced that NOM
bers of these legions will not enjoy the
privileges of n prisoner OF war, but
will he Immediately executed II cap
tured. But the members OF the Ameri-
cen Legion do not appear TO be worried
about that On the contrary. they are
marking the days on the calendar-yes,
even the hours-until they can get the
long coveted action that has drawn
them like bits Of steel to magnet
from their homes in every state IN the
union.
Boston Man a Sergeant.
Uniforms have proved the greatest
OF Jewellers here, second only TO the
common desire to face the cannons,
rifles and poisonous gas OF the enemy
in France. A man whose chief business
in the past has been 20 direct hnanclal
affairs ia stationed to-day at the camp
in the uniform Of sergeant directing
such matters as concern the soldiers
mess.
Nathaniel Leavitt Francis, Of Boston
is the wearer Of the sergeants UNI
form. His is a typical case. 49,,
Mr.. Francis rode up TO the recruiting
station here weeks ago and presented
himself to the enlisting oriicers.
"Can you pass me" he asked, placing
a card before the officer,
If you can stand the medicai eN-
animation" was the reply.
He was examined and passed. lie an
nounced that few days would be
necessary 10 wind up his business al
fairs in Boston. however. The oothcer
agreed. and with a knowing smile 70
his associate announced that that was
the last they had seen Of the boston
swell" -,
But the officer soon discovered his
mistake Three days later taxicao
drew up before the recruiting ONCE
and Mr.. Francis again alighted. ms
time he was dressed more in accord
ance with the requirements OF the
army. Also, he said, he had some suit
cases AZ the depot awaiting the orders
of the officer.
Dubbed yankee Battalion
Although the members OF the Yam
kee Battalion" as IL has been nick
named. have a common thirst for ad-
venture. their enlistment has been
brought about by numerous causes.
MANY. probably more than 100, are here
because of their high feelings on the
Iusitania disaster. Two-thirds OF the
legion il made up OF men who have
been In the American Army or Navy
for wears. The remaining third are the
nicked men, who By their own choice
yearn for the chance TO face death
and as n consequence are looked upon
as tho most dependable soldiers TO be
found.
To look at Lieutenant Tracy Richard
son one would scarcely believe that this
youthful officer had been one OF Diazs
trusted generals during the days when
IL was difficult TO distinguish friend
from foe in Mexico. But the boyish
general finally decided that he would
prefer 10 be lieutenant in the Ameri-
can Legion than a general In Mexico.
When Richardson submitted himself
for examination in the recruiting quar-
tiers here the experienced officers shook
their heads and looked again.
"Hes the original human sieve, one
Of the men said. "He has twenty-four
scars on his body and looks as If he
could stand lot more
So from that day on 1t was Human
Sieve" Richardson, except when the
dignity OF his title demanded that he
be addressed otherwise.
Recruiting was at its height rev
deys ago, when two men who stood in
the Office awaiting their turn at the
officers conference suddenly began to
examine each other seriously.
Surely, I've seen you before" said
cne Of the men.
"Yes, and am certain that / have
seen you," said the other.