The Fargo forum and daily republican., 1917-09-20
ASK Big SUN
FOR EQUIPPING
NATIONAL ARMY
War Department Chiefs
Plan For Army Of g.
100000 Men
(By Associated Press.l

Washington, Sept. 20. - While
mobilization of the first major incre-
ment Of the national army was pro-
ceeding throughout the country.
Secretary Baker and chiefs OF the
war department appeared before the
senate appropriation committee to
present requests for an additional
$287, 416, 900 with which to provide
equipment for total force of $780,
600 men.
Included among the items is the
ordnance equipment for the next
500, 900 men of the national army.
Dispatches from all parts Of the
country indicated that mobilization
was being carried forward smoothly
and amid scenes OF popular enthusi-
asm. The national army men were
given a tremendous sendoff as they
trooped to their trains. Almost the
entire Is per cent of the first call
force of $4,000 men will be under
military control and training by
Saturday.
In Good Shape.
Every essential for the health and
comfort Of the men has been provid-
ed for. They will be fed and shelter
ed without difficulty and their arms,
uniforms and all the balance Of their
war equipment will be ready for them
as rapidly as they are ready to use
it.
There are busy days ahead at the
cantonments. Not only must the men
be examined by military doctors and
finally accepted for army service, but
they must be organized Immediately
into provisional companies for
administrative purposes and to make
possible their final assignments to
the infantry, cavalry or artillery or
to the special corps Of the army. The
qualifications OF each man are to be
noted and his ultimate duty as far as
practicable will bear some relation
to the training he has received in
civil life and his own inclinations.
Will Delay Organization.
All this will take time. Time also
will be required to determine what
men Of the national army are to be
transferred to the national guard
divisional camps to fill those
divisions to fighting strength. The
organization OF the companies, bat
talions, regiments or other units of
the national army itself cannot be
completed until this transfer has
been made.
Pending the time when the fight
ing forces Of the national army begin
full uniform equipment be available
for every man assembled at the
camps. Preliminary instruction in
the school of a soldier, which teach
es men how to stand and walk and
the bearing and department OF a
trained and disciplined fighting man
can we'll enough be given In citizens
clothing IL necessary.
All Officers Not Assigned.
Many of the young reserve officers
who are to command units OF the
national army are not now at the
cantonments. For additional train
ing, after their graduation from the
official training camps, some have
been attached to national guard
units. Others are at service schools
preparing to become instructors to
the batteries. machine gun COM
panies, signal battalions and all the
other highly specialized arms of the
service.
Regular officers assigned to COM
mand regiments Of the national army
are looked upon somewhat enviously
by their comrades who remain with
the regulars or go to the national
guard. It is a common expression |
among these officers that the task of |
the new forces is an in |
spring one to the man who likes to |
see his company, troop or battery |
develop from day to day. The ma
tional army men are all nearly of |
an age. They have no old theories
Of soldering to unlearn. They are |
ready to put all the vim of their |
youth Immediately into the lessons
Of the day from the battle front.
Freedom from old prejudices or
from internal political factions which
oeset some guard organizations and
many other things are on the side /
of the new army. There are many /
officers who believe IL will become,
as a fighting force. the finest body /
of troops in the world.