Omaha daily bee., 1917-05-20
WILSON REJECTS
PLAN OF ROOSEVELT
President Says, After Being
Advised by Experts on Both
Sides of Water, He Will
Not Use Such an Army.


raise his volunteer expedition to
carry the American flag against the
Germans in France.
On signing the army bill last night,
President Wilson issued a statement
saying that, acting under expert ad-
vice from both sides Of the water, he
would be unable to avail himself at
the present stage of the war of the
authorization to organize volunteer
divisions.
Cites Officers Arguments.
In his explanation of his reason for
not awaiting himself Of the so-called
Roosevelt amendment to the army
bill, Mr.. Wilson has brought out
sharply the points made against that
amendment by army officers, regard
less Of their personal political lean.
ings or their regard for Mr.. Roose.
welt himself.
Many officers have unhesitatingly
condemned his proposal to raise
volunteer army corps or division on
the ground that it would drain the
regular service OF men vitality needed
to train the millions that must be
quickly whipped into fighting trim.
Want Wood at Home.
The list of regular officers Mr..
Roosevelt desired to take with him
has been the subject of much specula-
ton and comment. 1t has besn re-
garGed as virtually certain that
Major General Leonard Wood was
the former presidents selection for
supreme command OF the force.
Under the plans of the War de-
partment, General Wood has been as
signed the hardest task OF any gener-
al officer. He will direct, as COM
mander Of the Southeastern depart
mcnt, the mobilization and training OF
twelve divisions, or more than 100000
men, among whom, without question
will be those who will be first selected
to follow General Pershing's forces to
France.
There was talk in army circles to-
night of the possibility that a way
would be found to use the former
presidents services in another way,
but official comment on the subject
was lacking.
Wilson's Statement.
The presidents statement follows:
Il shall not avail myself at any rate
at the present stage of the war, of
the authorization conferred by the act
to organize volunteer divisions.
ITO do so would interfere 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
effective army, and would contribute
practically nothing to the effective
strength OF the armies now engaged
against Germany.
Il understand that the section OF
this act which authorizes the creation
OF volunteer divisions in addition to
the draft was added with a view to
providing an independent command
for Mr.. Roosevelt and giving the mil
itary authority an opportunity to use
his fine vigor and enthusiasm in re-
cruiting the forces now at the western
front.
Acts on Expert Advice.
1T would be very agreeable to me
to pay Mr. Roosevelt this compliment |
and the allies the compliment of send |
ing to their aid one of our most dis
tinguished public men, an ex-presi-
dent, who has rendered many con-
spieuous public services and proved
his gallantry in many striking ways.
Politically, too, it would no doubt
have very fine effect and make a
profound impression. But this is not
the time or the occasion for compli-
mcnt or for any action not calculated
to contribute to the immediate sue
cess OF the war. The business in
hand now is under practical and of
scientific defniteness and precision.
] shall act with regard to it at every
step and in every particular under
expert and professional advice, from
both sides OF the water.
THAT advice is that the men most
needed are men Of the ages eontem-
plated in the draft provision of the
present bill. not men OF the age and
sort contemplated in the section
which authorizes the formation of
volunteer units, and that for the pre-
liminary training Of the men who are
to be drafted we shall need all of our
experienced officers.
mr.. Roosevelt told me, when
had the pleasure OF seeing him 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 small force OF officers at our COM
mand for the much more pressing and
necessary duty of training regular
troops to be put into the field in France
and Belgium as fast as they can be
got ready.
"The first troops sent to France will
be taken from the present forces of
the regular army and will be under
command of trained soldiers only.
Cannot Escape Responsibility.
"The responsibility for the success
full conduct of our own part in this
great war rests upon me, | could not
escape it il / would. | am too much
interested in the cause we are fighting
for to be interested in anything but
success.
"The issues involved are too i'm
mense for me to take into considera-
ton anything whatever except the
best. most effective, most immediate
means of military action. What these
means are ! 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 matter of business. shall center
my attention upon those means and
let everything else wait.
Il should be deeply to blame should
do otherwise, whatever the argu-
t11euf of nntirv for nersnpal orat;6