The Washington herald., 1917-07-20
Army and. Navy News
Best Service Column i'm City.

| ~NNSA SAPt- ~Aditil STdAks Stn-
erai Stan Corps. Born in Missouri,
August 5. 1875. and appointed to the
Military Academy from Pennsylvania
In 1884 In 1898 he was promoted
second lieutenant of infantry, but was
transferred to the cavalry, in which
arm Of the service he has served since.
He is an honor graduate Of the class
OF 1904; graduate from the Stan Col
iese in 1905. and was a member of
the Army War College in 1910 He is
now serving his second detail on the
General STAFF.
| Col. Theodore Roosevelt has written
an open letter to Brig. Gen. w. A.
White. head of the British recruiting
mission nov, in this country, express
sing his cordial approval of the pro-
gram OF the mission, which he char
actertzes as "the quickest way of get
ting men from America to France {"
and wishing Gen. White success In his
campaign. Col Roosevelt's letter fol-
lows:
MY dear Gen. White: Up to a few
weeks ago 1t was a criminal offense to
recruit aliens In this country. Now,
by an act Of Congress, our allies are
at liberty to do so. Until this act
was passed 1t was impossible to reach
the $4,000 men of military age in
America, who are citizens of Great
Britain and Canada. Many of these
men wanted TO so to the war of their
own accord. but the vast majority of
them had no means of paying their
way to England, and, moreover, were
uncertain whether they would be ac-
+! cepted when they got there, while no
provision would be made for their
wives and families IL they went.
| Moreover. the law that has recently
been enacted by Congress enables the
British and Canadian governments to
enlist their nationals who are resId-
ing here. Amy British or Canadian
| citizen can go to the nearest United
States army recruiting station and be
forwarded. IL fit, either to Canada
or to England at the expense of his
| government.
! ''Such a man Is put on the pay roll
as soon as he is accepted, and IL he
has a wife she gets a separation al
lowance. While waiting for passage
across the Atlantic he will be given
preliminary training, so that no time
Is wasted.
The average training in England
II fourteen weeks. which is followed
by two months training behind the
lines or actually in the trenches in
France. Therefore. in less than six
months from the day OF enlistment.
the recruit may take part in offensive
operations.
Under existing conditions the quick
est way OF getting men from Amer
lea TO France is as above outlined.
All British recruits who are enlisted
in this country within the next two
months can be, and probably will be
in France this year.
Therefore, It is not only to the In
terest of the British government, but
to the interest OF the United States;
it is to the interest OF every one in
this country to assist the British army
in the enlistment of these men. /
wish you all possible success. Faith
fully yours.
THEODORE ROOSEVELT"
The Secretary of the Navy has
recommended TO Congress the appro-
priation of Si5. 10000 for naval aero
nautics, in addition to the amounts
already made available. Discussing
the need of this appropriation, secre-
tary Daniels said:
1.-THE volume of aircraft has been
abundantly demonstrated in the pres
ent war, and the navy is making cf-
forts to build up an air force of suffi-
cient size TO operate as scouts from
naval vessels. to patrol the waters
States and our insular possessions, and
nF- g. NTH ~a1 fr.A
abroad in anti-submarine warfare.
THE $45. 10000 recommended will be
required TO maintain and expand the
existing schools and stations, to es-
tablish new stations and training
schools. and to purchase the neces-
sary aircraft, seaplanes, dirigibles. and
kite balloons. for use on the high
seas and from coastal stations at home
and in cooperation with our allies.
The additional personnel required
for the operation of the naval aircraft
is being enrolled in the naval re-
serve flying corps. applications con-
tinue to be received in large numbers.
and the successful candidates are be-
ing taken into the service as rapidly
as possible
|
Adjutant General, L. S. A. has sent
the following communication to de-
partment commanders:
THE offense of desertion in time
of war is punishable by death or such
other punishment as a court-martial
may direct, and 1t is, therefore, a
capital offense. For this reason. trials
for desertion in time of war will or
dinarily entail greater expense than
trials for desertion in time of peace
and commanding officers and all others
concerned should be- more than ever
vigilant to see that charges for de-
sertion in time of war are rigidly
investigated and full and complete re-
ports made with reference thereto for
the information of the department
commander. You are, therefore, in.
structed to take into consideration the
expense heretofore considered, in de-
termining whether alleged deserters IN
time of war shall be tried where they
may be returned TO military control,
at the place where their comma nds
may be serving, or whether they shall
be sent to the United States Disciplin-
ary Barracks at Fort Leavenworth,
| .in1