The sun., 1917-05-20
COLONEL MAKES
NO COMPLAINT
Roosevelt Refrains From
Criticising Wilson'S Re-
lection of His Offer.
HE HAS MANY CALLERS
Is Pleased Pershing Is Going
to France-Hc May Speak
To-day.
HE HAS MANY CALLERS

Deep as was Col. Roosevelts disap-
pointment over President Wilson's re-
lection OF his offer to raise division
OF volunteers for immediate service in
France, and 1t was manifest yesterday
that 1t was one OF the keenest disap-
pointments of his life. there was from
him no whisper even Of criticism OF the
President He simply expressed his re-
gret that the President had not deemed
1t wise to take advantage Of the offer.
Persons VINO know and understand
him best believe that he VIII not be
content to be put aside and that. in his
anxiety to serve his country, he Will find
a way to get into the actual fighting.
Meanwhile-and as to this the Colonel
left no doubt-he will strive earnestly
to help make the Liberty Loan a success
and to speed up every form OF patriotic
effort.
Probably he will have some definite
announcement to make this afternoon at
/ his home in Oyster Bay. Several friends
| to whom he talked yesterday believe
that he will retire from the volunteer
movement. will release the many thou
sands of Americans that pledged them
selves to follow him and advise them
/ TO follow whatever lead opens up IN the
I way OF best serving their country
Many Friends See Colonel.
His rooms In the offices OF the Metro
! politdn NGodsinc were crowded yester-
day with friendsvwho desired to follow
MIN to France and who called on him TO
tell him how blue they felt after the
President issued the formal rejection OF
his offer The Colonel was pretty down
cast--any one could see that--but he
kept up his spirits nevertheless and one
of the first things he said was in praise
sufa 60 nd
France at once.
u II have nothing 70 say" he told his
friends, except that il the Adnl!n!stra
;ion had deemed II wise to grant the re-
quest | had made about raising d!vi-
sion three ard half months ago the d.
vision would have been ready to sail
this coming Monday After sixty days
intensive training in France 1t would not
have been dist.nsu.shabls from the reg
ulals. ard Il would have taken away
from the training OF troops AT home only
one-twelfth of the number OF regular or
ficers that will be taken in the division
Of regulars sen. abroad. As regards the
two divisions. the reglmental units
would be practically complete
Let me say. however, how pleased
am that Gen. Pershing with a division
is goirg over. am delighted that we
are so soon TO have men lr the fighting
line. and like every other good citizen
am delighted 10 do everything ] can to
help recruiting: and ! appeal 10 every
one to help the Liberty Loan
Among those Who talked TO Col
Roosevelt before he left for Oysier Fay
were nr. II. Nelson Jackson OF Buriins-
ton. W. v.o assured all inqurers that
600 Green Mountain men had been
-cady to follow Roosevelt Major J. J..
Reeves. president OF Norwich University
and Alexander p. Moore o! littsburg
who said that IL anybody doubted thai
/ 500 Pit,sburgers had enrolled in the
Roosevelt division he would bring them
on To New York and psy their way.
Later In the day a considerable com
many of well known men who had hoped
fov commands under Roosevelt met will
the Colonel at the office OF the "Roose
: vclt p.vis.on'' at 753 Fifth avenue L
. discuss what should be done under th
circumstances.