Omaha daily bee., 1917-05-11


Red Oak, Ia. May ITO the Edi-
tor of The Bee: There are indications
that the administrator does not in
tend to Jake an early part in the war
in Europe. Our military staff has
persistently claimed that a years
training is necessary to fit men for
battle 1t is In order to say that a
year from now it may be too late 1t
should be observed that revolution in
Russia-however much we may re-
joice over it--has destroyed its mill
tary efficiency so that no offensive can
be expected from it. Should the CEN
trial powers be as successful this year
as last, 100000 American soldiers In
France year from now will not be
able to do as much as 100000 would
do now to bring Germany to terms.
1t is not necessary to say that raw
recruits are as good soldiers as vet
Grams, but it is proper 10 say they
have on occasion done good fighting.
A few facts may be cited. On April
16, 1851, President Lincoln called
$4,000 men for three months service.
Before their three months service
had expired more than thirty skir-
mishes and battles had been fought,
among them Rich mountain and Bull
Run. On May 8, 1861, q call was
made for 100000 volunteers. Long be-
fore these men had been in service a
year great battles, as Fort Donelson
and Shiloh, were fought and hun
dreds of skirmishes and battles. At
Gettysburg several militia regiments
fought side by side with veterans
as staunchly as veterans and losing as
heavily. At lMonocacy, Md. G864),
one third the union troops were three
months men and lost as heavily, or
nearly, as the veterans.
1t is not true that the times de-
mands are less imperative than in
1851. If Germany wins even com
promise" peace this year, in year
from now its whole energies will be
directed against us, and no number of
soldiers or dreadnaughts will save us
from the submarines. of which Ger
many is now building more than Eng
land, France. Italy and the United
States unitedly are doing. No defense
has yet been found against submarine
warfare. without defense we will
have the bill of defeat to pay.
Action-immediate action---is nee
essary. It cannot be had except by
calling for volunteers on such terms
as will secure them. / will say II 1,000,-
900 volunteers are called for a two
year term of service they can be had
in months time. Six months drill
Of volunteers should be ample. In the
rebellion many regiments fought
without one months drill. Eighteen
months fighting is enough. General
Joffre says the allied armies in France
lose 10 per cent per month. That
wouldn't leave many in a year and
a half. Eighteen months actual serv-
raised later on il needed,
Reluctantly as we may be to admit
or even say it, there is no reason to
believe our president, who authorized
sending home 100000 well-trained
soldiers when he was morally certain
there would be war with Germany, or
''super-pacifist" war secretary or
military staff apparently of Halleck
type of soldiers. will act promptly.
The press of the country should rise
to the occasion and demand that at
least $4,000 of our regular army be
sent to France at once. Our state
militia are here to respond to any
emergency call. More than that, 50,-
900 Of those state militia will answer
a call for $4,000 men to go to France
Immediately for two years term.
They are we'll drilled now. The means
are here to send 100000 men to, the
firing line" 1t is the will at Wash
ington City that is wanting. Congress
can compel action, but will not unless
the country demands 1t In most EN-
phatic way. Let the press urge ac-
ton. JONATHAN SHEARER. +