The Washington herald., 1917-03-23
CADETS READY FOR war
SHOULD COUNTRY CALL
High School Boys Eager to Aid in De-
fense of Nation.

Sixteen hundred Washington High
School cadets. efficiently trained, stand
ready and willing to aid their country
should they be called by the War De-
partment
With pride in their voices last night Su-'
perintendent of Schools Z. L. Thurston;
Ernest Daniel, chairman of the military
committee of the Board of Education;
Stephen Elliott Kramer, assistant SUPER
intendent Of schools; Carl Gill. brigade
quartermaster, and other cadet captains,
regimentaI officers and privates expressed
the opinion that should circumstances
warrant practically every cadet in the
whole organization would be eager to
serve their country.
Superintendent Thurston spoke enthusi-
astically last night:
"Of course the cadet corps as originally
organized" Mr.. Thurston said. lis for
drill and to promote physical stamina.
and We have no authority to muster the
organization as a unit for war service. If
any need should come for them-should
the War Department give the least hint
that they could use their services-I be-
lieve that either as units or individuals,
the great majority of not only the cadets,
but all other boys in the high schools,
would prove to be men Of the minute"
Must Await Call.
Nothing can be done oficially, how
ever. until the trend Of events causes the
War Department to ask for their SER
vices. Whether the boys express a de-
sire of themselves to do something be-
fore that time lies entirely with them
In the five white high schools there
are nearly 100 cadets. The Central Hign
School has seven companies: TechnicaI
six companies: Business High School,
three companies and Western and East
ern each two. The separate battalion of
colored cadets from the six colored high
schools comprises 400 men, making in all
a total Of 1900
There Is no doubt that the cadet or
ganization of Washington would offer
its services, both as a nit and as in
dividuals." was the way in which Ernest
Daniel, chairman Of the military COM
mittee OF the Board of Education, ex-
pressed himself last night.
And mighty good service they coulc
offer" Mr.. Daniel added. THE cadet
organization here is well-trained. They
are thoroughly accustomed to handling
guns and many other details in our pro-
gram preparedness They will stand
ready to offer every service they could
possibly perform"
Officers high in the cadet organization
were unanimous in the opinion that high
percentage of the men under them would
volunteer at the proper time.
One regimental officer said: II have
no doubt but what my whole battalion
would volunteer its services.
F.. c. Gillette. of the Technical High
School and lieutenant colonel of the or
caniZation said that while there had as
yet been no avowed offers on the part or
his men. he was sure that high per-
CCntage OF them would answer the call.
Major David D. Caldwell, of the secono
battalion. at the Western and Eastern
Fgyh ha reQhV
TO offer themselves.
Tense Spirit Seen.
Carl GIL. regimental brigade quarter
master, speaking Of the sentiment Of the
cadets at Business High School. said
there was a tense spirit among the boys
nd should the call come he believed that
not only a high percentage of the cadets
would turn out but also more than 50 per
cent of the school.
Under Captain N. B. Briscoe. U. g. A.
the regular army officer detailed as mill
tIry instructor. the cadets are learning
war maneuyers. They have already
learned how to read war maps. The
principles OF handling troops in the field,
OF marching for combat and of firing
have also already been taken up.
Captain Briscoe said last night that he
believed the cadet organization was high
ly efficient. Cadets under my charge"
captain BTlScOe Salu, SNOW up unusually
we'll AS well, almost, as the militia, in
fact"
mo doubt the boys would volunteer. I
would not be afraid to take them on the
field for limited operations. Not for any
extended work. understand. although
some might be capable enough for that.
The boys could aid in police protec-
tion. home guard work, and any other
kind of relief work when the regular
army is engaged at the front. A few
OF the cadets are also members of the
National Guard and have just returned
from the border. The High School ca
diets Of the District in a time Of emer-
gency would show up great"