The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1917-03-27

Applicants Will Be Under
No Expense Whether
Accepted or Not

Washington, March 27-The United
States marine corps needs more than
1000 men to fill up its ranks to a
war strength Of 17,400. The need is
urgent
Explaining that the present author
ICED maximum strength of the marine
corps was 14,9S1 men, Secretary Dan
iels said that more than $4,000 addi-
tional men would have TO be recruited
to give the navy the $1,000 bluejack-
cts and the marine corps the increase
sought.
Every step that is possible to in
crease the navy personnel has now
been taken except the calling out of
the naval militia This arm of the
service will be needed, it is said, to
assist in manning new vessels.
The fact that the government has
no present intention to seek the in
torment of any resident aliens so long
as they are obedient to the laws OF
the nation was made clear by Secre-
tary Baker today. He added that
this applied to German army reserV-
istsc as well as to other resident
aliens.
President Wilson was expected to
take up with his cabinet today the
address he will make to congress next
week.
While it is not possible for the
United States Marine Corpr to open
a recruiting office in Bridgeport, no
recruits need hold back from en-
listing because of expense. Under
the law Postmaster Greene IS author
lied to receive applications for the
marine corps and to have them exam
ined by reputable physician without
cost to the applicant. If he passes
this examination his full transporta-
ton to New York will be forwarded
at once. On his arrival he will be
re-examined. If he fails to pass his
full transportation home will be Civ
Ell him and he will not be under the
slightest expense. If he passes he
will be sent to the recruit depot at
Charleston, S. c., for training. From
the moment the applicant leaves
Bridgeport until he is either returned,
or finally enlisted the government pays
all railroad fares, lodging and
meals.
The main qualifications are that he
be between Is and 35, with minimum
pounds when stripped, be either ma
tive-born or fully naturalized, and Of
sound physique. Candidates slightly
underweight may be accepted if 9TH
erWise desirable
AS the marines serve in the fleet,
at the navy yards. as guards at gov
eminent radio stations and on for
eign service, their opportunities for
active service in time of war cannot
be surpassed. They are almost in
variably the first armed troops that
are called into active service. It is
worthy of note that for the last two
years the record scores of the navy
with the 5-inch guns have been made
by the marines of the New York and
the Pennsylvania. These guns are
the battleships' main reliance against
submarine attack. With the rifle
the marines in the last three national
matches won twice and lost the third
time by only six points to the army.
Our battleships, cruisers and gum
boats have marine attachments vary
ing from Is to 100 men The rela-
tions on board ship between the blue
Jackets and marines are of the best.
for their duties aboard ship are much
alike and ever since the Spanish War
they have fought side by side, con-
dition that has encouraged mutual
respect.
Captain F. e. Evans, U. 8 Nj. c.
retired, is recruiting officer fag tAt
marines