The Washington herald., 1917-11-27
WILSON SEES
COMMISSIONS
AWARDED 800
Impressive Exercises at Fort
Myer Mark Reserve Off,
GERS Graduation.

President and Mrs. Wilson braved
the chilling winds that swept the
parade field at Fort Myer yesterday
TO witness the inspiring exercises that
marked the presentation by Secretary
OF War Baker. Of commissions to 800
new officers of the national army.
In the small stand where the ih-
yited guests were seated were French
and English army officers who have
observed the three months intensive
training which the men have under
gone and who were outspoken in their
admiration Of what the course has
accomplished in efficient military edu-
cation.
Society was not out in numbers that
characterized the last graduation ex-
ercises, but mothers. wives, sweet
hearts and friends to the number Of
several thousands, fringed the parade
field. and made up in enthusiasm what
they lacked in numbers by vigorous
cheering Of the new officers and n
hearty vocal welcome for the Presi-
dent.
Escort for President.
Col. Charles W. Fenton. commander
Of the camp, escorted the President
and Mrs. Wilson to the stand, the Sec
ond Mounted Cavalry acting as mill
tary escort.
The exercises opened with an invoca-
ton by the Rev. Forest J. Prettyman,
chaplain of the Senate.
Led by the Marine Band. the new Of
ficers went through regimental re-
view that for precision OF evolutions
and exactness Of alignment brought
round after round OF applause from
the spectators and a smile OF apprecia-
ton from the President.
Following the review the men lined
up in a hollow square, and Col. Fenton
in an address paid a glowing tribute
to the application and earnestness OF
the new officers. He recited the pur-
pose of the training which the men
had undergone, described its details
and commented upon the splendid
spirit OF cooperation and devotion TO
duty which the men had displayed.
and then introduced Secretary of War
Baker. ,
Compliment TO Fenton. sa
II want first to congratulate Col.
Fenton and his officers for the men
we see before us todas." he said. Il
want TO congratulate ourselves, the
people OF this country, that they can
give to this cause to which we are
now devoted such an inspiring and
courageous army of officers. and this
within an amazingly short time.
"If 1 have one word to say to the
officers, it Is this, that the purpose OF
giving orders is not to rouse emotions
in the breasts Of men who give them
lNr. In faks g., he N
receive them. 1t is, rather. that we
are. as officers OF the government,
carrying out the common will. and
that as officers and men. when we
carry out and interpret this common
will, We are carrying out the pur-
poses Of the country.
1--WE have raised this new army un-
Ger new system because We have
found that the volunteer system is not
sufficiently discriminatory, but we
have raised it with a knowledge that
when the country calls in its crisis, il
has never yet found American men
wanting.
Let me urge this though. that
while We are making the world safe
for democracy, we are also proving
that democracy is safe for the world.
The Marine band played the Ma
rine's hymn and then followed the
presentation of commissions. The pro-
! cedure resembled the passing out of
college sheepskins, except for the
military salutes that accompanied the
receipt of the valued documents. In
cluded in the number OF new officers
are sixty Washington men.
After benediction by the, Rev. Mr..
Prettyman-whoh has a son in an Of
ficer's uniform at Camp sMeade-the
entire gathering. accompanied by the
| Marine band. sang "Over There.
with a verse and spirit that bodies III
for the Kaiser when the boys land
overseas.
All OF the men are furloughed until
December Is. when they will be as
signed. Most OF them will officer re
cruits in the National Army, but a
number will be sent directly to France
for further intensive training and
work with the American expedition
airy forces.