Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1917-05-19
as practicable. General Pershing and
staff will precede the troops abroad.
Pershiug is In Washington


cit Is. requested that no details or
lspeculations with regard to the mobili'
lzation Of this command, dates of de-
parture or other items be carried by
the press, other than the official bulle7
tins given out by the war department
relative thereto.
General Pershing has been in Wash
lington some DAYS. He was personally
summoned by Secretary Baker from the
Southern department, which was un'
der his command until last night 8 or
der was issued.
The Roosevelt Incident
There was, particularly at the cap
Iitol, some commentator and some crit
icism of the president 5 attitude re-
garding the Roosevelt volunteers issue
Army men, generally, however, felt
Wilson had done the right thing. But
there were some senators and repre-,
sentatives who declared they would
take the first opportunity publicly to
condemn Wilson for not mobillzing
Roosevelt The issue, they declared
is still far from dead.
! The Presidents Reasons
The president issued the following
statement at the white house:
81 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.
"To do so would seriously interfere
with the carrying out of the cher ana
most Immediately important purpose
contemplated by this legislation
President VIII Take Time
HThe prompt creation and early use
iof a volunteer army would contribute
practically nothing to the effective
strength of the armies now engaged
against Germany.
"I understand that this section ol
this act which authorizes the creator
of volunteer divisions in addition tC
the draft was added with view u
providing an Independent commanlis
for Mr.. Roosevelt and giving the mil
itary authorities an opportunity u
Iuse his fine vigor and enthusiasm II
Recruiting the forces now at the west
ern front.
nTt would be very agreeable to mi
Ito nav Mr.. Roosevelt this compliment
and the allies the compliment OF SEM .
ling to their aid one of our most u: az
tinguished public men, a former preSi
Ident who has rendered many comPle!
bubble services and proved his gallant
ry in many striking ways,
Not Time for Compliments !,
"Politieally, too, it would no doup
lbaye a very fine effect and make
profound impression. But tins Is no .
1.-THE time nor the occasion for compli
]ments or for any action not calculated
lto contribute to the immediate success
lof the war. 1ro
"The business now in hand is nndra
matte, practical and scientifle de1ihi'e
mess and precision. . .
/ al shall act with regard to II a
every step and in every particular un m
der expert and professional au'lce
tfrom both sides of the water
That advice is that the men mos mos
4 needed are men of the ages con'eh th
plated in the draft provision OF IN
present bill, not men of the age an
Isort contemplated in the section whlci
Ianthorizes the formation of voluntee
units, and for the preliminary tran an
ling of the men who are to be aralte
1--we shall need all of our experience
Il Trained OFFICERS Not Available
i uMr. Roosevelt told me, when ! ma
II the pleasure of seeing him fe'
i EweeiSs ago, that he would wish TO nav
<0l.a ~ nana 4hraa ,sts.,