New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-05-14
Commander lnspects Men
and Takes Part in Mass
Meeting
Duty Outlined to Men
General Asks Soldiers to Show
Germans We, Too, Can
Sing in Battle

lIron A STAR Correspondent - The Innunel
Plattsburg. May -. Major General
j. Franklin Rel. commander OF the
Department Of the East. came here
to-day for an unofficial inspection of
the Reserve Officers training camp
Few of the students were aware Of his
presence until it was announced he
would speak 20 them tonight at the
opening Of the Young Mems Christian
Association Building.
The auditorium has seats for about
three hundred. These were filled hours
before the general put in an appear
ancc. and double the number crowded
about the walls. in the aislos, on the
roof and around tho open doors and
windows.
They were singing the first verse OF
the Battle Hymn Of the Republic
when General Bell entered, accom-
panied by Lieutenant Colonel Paul \.
Wolf and other officers Of tho post. In
,tantly they stopped and every man
stood at attention.
GO on with the second verse said
General Bell. and. taking up a song
book, he sang the stirring battle an
them with the men. Colonel Wolf then
suggested america" and. with an in
terval for "The Star-Spanglcd Banner
the meeting was given over TO speeches.
Then the men sang Onward, Christian
Soldiers" and the meeting was sup
posed to be over. But il wasn't. Gen
cral Bell moved to the front of the
platform and raised his hand to stay
the men who were turning toward the
exits.
Song Inspired General
Gentlemen" he said and his voice
had the ring of inspiration in it you
sang The Star-Spangled Banner" to-
night as have heard il sung few times
before. You know who we are going
TO fight. German soldiers sing while they
march. want you TO see that our
army beats EN- at their own game, for
singing men are fighting men.
From you men viii be selected part
Of our first ten thousand officers. and
want YOU TO take IL upon yourselves
AZ a duty TO see that every company
Of our new army has its marching
tune and that the men learn TO sing il.
You don't know how much further
men can march when they are singing.
Any rousing air will do. a Hot Time
bg r., -, H.
swing TO it that will put ginger and
cold courage into the hearts Of men.
Go to il. Sing and fight"
Most Of what General Bell had TO
say was impromptu and evoked by his
sheer enthusiasm for the spirit of the
rockies. He began by telling his hear
crs he had not come to talk shop. but
would postpone that until all of the
men arrived from the camp. when he
would give them good and plenty"
Speaks on Duty of Soldiers
The gray-harcd commander sat down
and fell to studying the faces Of the
yourg men before him. Those who
Watched the old soldier sensed that
something was coming. There was.
Again the general was on his feet.
! his time his tone was serious
Men" ne said. con the battle line
IT'S character that wins, not ability or
knowledge You know what mean.
You only have one life TO live and
one life TO give, and it doesn't matter
when soldier leaves his life, but it
does matter how he leaves it. a sol
der must think only Of duty. and must
do II IN a way that all who survive
VIII be proud of the way he gave up
his life"
This was the Gilman There was a
long moment of silence and then the
young men who viii be first on fields
of fire with the American flag broke
lorth IN "A deafenIng cheer. II was
fine sight Bell, who knows what war
IS. came 20 attention perhaps uncon-
sciously and more than one civilian
present beheld the scene through h
mist they discovered had suddenly
gathered IN their eyes.
The general returned on the 1890
train to New York. He arrived at 4:45
m the morning and was on the 20
throughout the day.
In company with Colonel Wolf. he
toured the country surrounding the
camp TO ascertain its adaptability for
training and man9uvring. TO com
mIttce Of citizens he said:
Calls Plattsburg Ideal
II am convinced that this IS an ideal
spot for the training Of soldiers. For
five or SLY months Of the year no bet
ter place could be selected. but be
cause of the rigorous winters of this
section | do not believe that il could
be used TO advantage during those
months for the training Of large bodies
Of men, but there IS no telling what
the exigencies of the present war may
require"
General Bell was rendered the use
of one of the finest homes in Platts-
burg for himself and family for the
summer. but he declined the offer,
saying that during his army career,
since 1874, he made il practice never
to enjoy comforts or Injuries which
were not to be had by the men of his
command