The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1917-05-18
Plea Made By Cyril Spicer,
Company H, Kato
GIVES The GOOD REASONS
What Can Be Accomplished;
Chance For Advancement
e In The Army
From FRIDAYS Daily.

Are Eligible For Military Duty: There
has been very decided and notable
migration of young men from our
city to the ranks of some branch OF
the service of our country. Which is
well, but that number has not yet
reached its maximum. To fill our
quota of fighting men the city of
: Mankato should have by now at least
200 men in the regular army or the
navy, and that is only an estimate of
The first enlistment 1t may be neces-
sary before this royal fight of ours
for democracy and right is over to
supply ten times that number
In all the plans of one general
staff, who by the way are the men
who are to be our salvation at the
time Immediately following more than
two years of impreparedness they have
a definite place which the National
Guard is to fill. 1t will be just as
vitality necessary to fill the ranks of
our national guard as it will be those
of the army, when the national guard
is modified, and so many ask the
question "when?" which will be soon
enough for us all believe me, the
ranks must be filed Shall we wait
until the draft plan is inaugurated or
shall every young man who is phySic-
ally fit and who are not required in
producing the resources of our ma
ton enlist now in either the regular
army or the national guard? They will
both be on the same status when
called into the service of the u. S. A.
1t will simply be the first increment
of a vast mobile army with many
more to follow until we have at least
two million men in year and half
or two.
Chance For anon CON-"
Let me tell you that the man en-
listing now has the chance over all
of becoming high ranking non-com-
missioned officers in from six to nine
months. His ability and Willingness
to learn and to be a true soldier will
determine that. AS a matter of fact
who will there be to command and to
drill the new conscriptS as they come
in. | will return to assert there will
be 100000 men from the regular army
and national guard promoted to high
er rank within the year to become
first lieutenants, even captain. This
in addition to the reserve officers
corps when they are taken away
from their organization there will
have to be more promoted to fill the
vacancies caused by the withdrawal
Think of the unlimited opportunities
for the man who first learns to be a
soldier himself and who is then able
to master all the finer things which
go to make up the present day man
of rank in the army?
1t has come to my notice several
times as very f1imsy excuse, it seems
to me that men will say they will not
serve in the Second Minnesota in
fantry in it's present organization
with its present and only temporary
believe me, disorder. If that is the
conception you have of a soldiers at
titude you will indeed have diff
cult time of it when the time comes
that you will be forced to do your
bit and to help shoulder the burden
of our might and right. Here let me
say it should not be burden. i
should be at once the delight ant
pleasure of every man, woman ant
child in the whole great land to carry
out in that utmost every plan ant
suggestion of our wonderful presi.
dent and those with whom he ha:
surrounded himself for advice anC
professional assistance.
Young Men Get Busy.
So | say to you young men who arr
eligible, get busy. To those who cal
be spared from such positions tina
are not absolutely necessary in pro
duction to get into the army or ma
tional guard. Get into Company II herr
: in your own town where you will de
rive the benefits of those left behin'
in the way of their gifts of cash an,
supplies to the company in which
they are naturally most interested
IL it is not your wish to do so, &c
into some other company or thu
regular army Remember the enlist
ment in all branches except the nav.
will be for the period of the war.
A word about the navy. The enlist
ment is four years but in that tim
you will have become a skilled me
chanic or a first class office man il
fact which ever work you take up il
the navy fits you better mentally
morally, and physically for your du
ties as good citizen. For young mel
there is not a better school in tn
world than our American navy.
Enlistments are coming very slow
ly for Company HI. Let us hope tina
we may fill our company to full
strength without the draft that
very soon to come. The selective con
scription plan is the very best for
takes those who can be spared with
out regard for wealth or position. Blu
l am sure there is no one who vii
falter in his duty in our nations pres
ent crisis. Let there not be that petit
feeling in these trying days, that som
perhaps may wish to escape their duty
for / am sure there is not singl
one.
A plea for Company II if you pleas,
so that we may leave for the field an
perhaps active service with as fin
a body of men as may be found in tn
entire army. Very truly yours, Lieu
tenant Cyril B. Spicer
George Bienapf, who has been visit
ing relatives in the city. left toda
for ST. Paul, where he has accepte
position with the Swift Packin
company.