The Washington times., 1917-05-07
lS7,OOOTRY TO JOIN
ROOSEVELT DIVISION
T.R. Offers Services as Brig
adler, Ninth in Corps Rank.

NEW YORK, May 7.-Col. Theodore
Roosevelt, through sheer force OF
patriotism, prestige, and personality
has recruited $4,000 men eager to-
follow him to France to fight against
the Germans. The rosters at head
quarters of the Roosevelt Division,
753 Fifth avenue, contain the names
Of rather more than three times as
many volunteers as the Government
has been able to get.
Since February responses have
poured in from every State in the
Union.
The figures indicate that the ex-
President could have at least 100000
fighting men IL he wanted SO many.
He doesn't. The big problem OF
the quiet enlistment for the Roosevelt
division has been to sift and select
from an overwhelming flood Of appli-.
cations just the type and character
Of volunteer required.
Men of Ample Means.
Putting It generally, the Colonel
has accepted only such men as are
above eonscription age and whose
means are such that dependents
would be well cared for without pub
lie assistance in case of the death
or permanent disability of the volun-
teers. His legionaries have settled
incomes ranging from $500 . year
to 10000 q year.
Broadly stated, the Colonel Is now
in the position to offer the War De
partment two completely equipped d.
visions, including infantry, cavalry,
field artillery, engineers, signal corps,
motorcycle machine gun commands,
motor transport, commissary and
subsistence, aviation corps, hospital
corps, and quartermaster's corps.
He has men enough already pledged
to constitute three divisions, but his
desire and ambition is to mobilize an
| army corps of two divisions with him
i self as junior officer, merely q bri'
Eade commander and ranking ninth
after the regular army officers who
would command corps, divisions, and
ave OF the six brigades.
Money Provided, Too.
The financial preparation for the
ColoneIs plan Il such that these di
visions could be mobilized, equipped
and sent to France without It being
necessary, in all probability, to cal
on Uncle Sam for a dollar Of expense
The offers of financial assistance from
wealthy volunteers and from wealthy
citizens who cannot go themselves
but who are mighty anxious to have
the Colonel go, have been astonishing
in number and size.
In one Southern city alone 81 .000, ,OOC
has been pledged. In another city seven
ty-fve men have signed their check
for 1000 each. There are offers Of so.
900, $500. $1,000, and 5000. and th'
number Of smaller proffers u almos
beyond count
The estimate has been made that tn
magic Of the ColoneIs name caI
mobilize s1oy0oo.0oo In voluntary offering
the instant that he receives permission
from the President to take his men 4
camp for q short training period pre-
iiminary to boarding troopships 70
France or England.
Can Mobilize Quickly.
The work OF recruiting and prepara
tion has been 20 thorough Conducted a
1t was BY keen. experienced militarI
men and capable civilians) that tn
corps could be mobillzed and placed Il
camp within six weeks from the day tn
call to the colors was issued
] The site Of the mobilization camp ha
! been selected
: The whole preliminary task may b
: summarized In this way: Every ma
has been examined and scrutinized an
: ticketed and Is now waiting the cal
: Every horse required has been foun
and IL held for service Every deta
OF equipment has been card indexec
Nothing has been overlooked or left Z
chance. One word from the Presiden
. and the Roosevelt legion will LITERAL