The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-03-27
Naval Recruiting In Progress
to Raise Personnel to 81, 900
Men as Quickly as Possible
WASHINGTON GUARDED
BY STRONG FORCE
Congressional Leaders Plan
Legislative Program For War
Session With View to Elk.
pediting Necessary Action
(By E. r. SARTWELL, Inter-
national News Service Staff
Corraspopdont(

national News Service Stan
Correspondent
Washington, March %. - The
drive for man-power to back
up President Wilson in the
prospective struggle with Ger
many got under way in deadly
earnest today. Under the di-
rection of the president extra
ordinary efforts to fill the ranks
of the army, navy and marine
corps were started in every di-
rection. Determined to be
ready to act, Immediately and
aggressively as soon as con-
gress makes the nations atti-
tude clear, the administration
tonight had taken every step to
increase the strength of the
war-making branches of the
service.
Tonight approximately &c.
900 men of the national guard
were under orders to enter the
federal service for the protec-
ton of vital points within the
nation. War department order
today added some twenty-five
units called out for "homc
guard" duty yesterday.
President Wilson by an ex-
ecutive order increased the
authorized enlisted strength Of
the marine corps to II 200 men
and the navy department at
once began campaign to en-
list the added increment. The
corps now has 1881 men and
500 officers.
Press Naval Recruiting.
Naval recruiting was order
led prosecuted with renewed
vigor following the action of
the president in increasing the
authorized enlisted strength to
|87, 900 men. Secretary of tho~
Navy Daniels declared that rn1
indications were that the naval
enlistments would come food
ing in at once.
Tonight department COM
manders throughout the coun-
try began the task of assign
ing the army of militia called
to the federal service to duty
guarding important transport
tation. and utility lines, arsen-
ais, munitions plants and other
strategic points.
The war department In announcing
today's militia call, appended the foi-
lowing statement:
ut is requested that no details
OF locality be carried in the press
in regard to further distribution
OF these troops unless given out All
by the department.
1t is expected that today's call for
militia will be followed by the calf
ing out of further military details
for similar service in order that every
locality in the country may be suro
of adequate protection.
Tonight two troops Of the Second
regular cavalry, the first separate bet-
talon of the District OF Columbus.
national guard. and two companies Of
marines were on guard duty about thu
national capital.
With military preparations moving
under pressure. the administration to-
day began making plans for tho WAT
session OF congress that will convene
next Monday. The president will NJ
before the legislators record of thu
German aggressions since the last 49,
sion Of congress adjourned. His rec-
concentrations to the representatives.
Of the people will not be comp1etnd
in detail, however. until just befot
he addresses congress Every sverN
Of the next week will be watched WtfEs
close scrutiny. and the Anal 4on I
~ 70 the exact form u ee1to +
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