The Washington herald., 1917-05-19
TEDDY'SARMY REJECTED
CONTINUED FROM PAGE ONE.

with the carrying out OF the chief and
most Immediately important purpose con-
templated by this legislation
THE prompt creation and early use of
an enective army would contribute prac-
tically nothing to the effective strength
of the armies now engaged against Ger
many.
Il understand that the section of this
act which authorizes the creation OF vol
unteer divisions in addition to the draft
was added with view to providing an
Independent command for Mr. Roosevelt
and giving the military authorities an op-
portunity to use his fine vigor and en-
thusiasm in recruiting the forces now at
the western front.
1t would be very agreeable to me to
pay Mr.. Roosevelt this compliment and
the allies the compliment of sending to
their aid one of our most distinguished
public men, a former President who has
rendered many conspicuous public serv-
striking ways.
Politically, too. it would no doubt have
a very fine effect and make a profound
impression. But this is not the time or
the occasion for compliments or for any
action not calculated to contribute to
the immediate success of the war.
UndramatIc Business.
The business now in hand is undra-
matte. practical, and of scientific definite
ness and precision.
shall act with regard to II at every
step and in every particular under ex-
perts and professional advice from both
sides of the water.
That advice is that the men most
needed are men OF the ages contemplated
IN the draft provision OF the present bill
not men OF the age and sort contemplat-
ed IN the section which authorizes the
formation OF volunteer units, and that
Tor the preliminary training of the men
who are to be drafted we shall need all
of our experienced officers. Mr. Roose-
Velt told me. when I had the pleasure
Of seeing him n few weeks ago, that he
would wish to have associated with him
some of the most effective officers OF
the regular army
He named many Of those whom he
would desire to have designated for the
service and they were men who cannot
possibly be spared from the too-smau
force Of officers at our command for the
much more pressing and necessary duties
Of training regular troops to be put into
the field in France and Belgium as fast
as they can be got ready.
Regulars to Go First.
Inc 1rst troops sent to France will be
taken from the present forces of the
regular army and will be under the COM
mand OF trained soldiers only.
The responsibility for the successful,
conduct of our own part in this great
war rests upon me. I could not escape
1t If l would. I am too much interested
In the cause we are fighting for to be
interested in anything but success
The issues involved are too immense
Tor me to take into consideration any
thing whatever except the best most ef-
fective. most immediate means OF mill
tary action. What these means are I
know from the mouths Of men who have
seen war as it is now conducted. who
have no illusions, and to whom the whole
grim matter is a matter of business.
shall center my attention upon those
means and let everything else walt
should be deeply to blame should l do
otherwise, whatever the argument of
policy or of personal qualification or ad-
vantage"