Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-09-20
Mobilization Carried For :
ward Smoothly and Amid
Scenes of Popular
Enthusiasm.

VASE IN. September 49,
While mobilization OF the first major
increment Of the National Army was
country. Secretary Baker and the chiefs
of the TIar Department appeared be-
fore the Senate Appropriations Com
mittee to present requests for an adj
ditional s2S7.4I6.0oO with which to
provide equipment for a total force
OF 100000 men.
Included among the items is the
ordnance equipment for the next $780,
900 men Of the National Army. al
though the 100000 or more men on
the move to-day toward the training
cantonmcnts arc only half of the first
call.
Dispatches from all parts of the
country indicated that mobilization
was being carried forward smoothly
and amid scenes Of popular enthusiasm.
The National Army men were given
tremendous scnd-ofr as they trooped
to their trains. led by the local board
officials. Almost the entire is per cen,
Of the first call force of $4,000 men
will be under military control and
training by Saturday.
Every essential for the health and
comfort Of the men had been provided
for. They viii be fed and sheltered
without difficulty. and their arms.
uniforms and other war equipment will
be ready for them as rapidly as they
are ready to use It.
MANY busy DAYS AHEAD
AT THE CANTONMENTS
There are busy days ahead at the
cantonments. Not only must the mon
be examined by military doctors and
finally accepted for army service. but
they must be organized Immediately
into provisional companies for admin
istrative purposes, and to make pos
sible their final assignments to the
infantry. cavalry or artillery or to tn.
special corps of the army. The qualih-
cations OF each man are to he noted,
and his ultimate duty as fai as prac-
ticahlel will bear some relation to the
| training he has received In civil life
and his own lnclinations.
Time also will be required to deter
mine what men of the National Army
are to be transferred to the National
Guard divisional camps to fll those
divisions to fighting strength. The
organization OF the companies. bat
talions. regiments or other units Of
the National Army itself cannot be
completed until this transfer has been
made
Pending the time when the fighting
forces of the National Army begin to
take shape. it is not essential that full
uniform equipment be available for
every man assembled at the camps
Preliminary instruction in the school
OF the soldier can well enough be given
in civilian clothes if necessary.
MANY OF YOUNG OFFICERS
GET ADDITIONAL TRAINING
Many OF the young reserve officers
who are to command units of the Ma
tional Army are not now at the can
tonments. For additional training
after their graduation from the officers
training camps. some have been at
tached to National Guard units. Others
arc at service schools preparing to be-
come instructors to the batteries, nl.t-
chine-gun companies, signal battalions
and other highly specialized arms of
tho service.
Regular officers assigned to command
regiments Of the National Army are
looked upon somewhat enviously by
their comrades who remain with the
regulars or go to the National Guurd.
1t Is Il common expression among these
officers that the task OF training the
absolutely new forces is an inspiring
one to IL man who likes to see his
company, troop or battery develop from
day to day. The National Army men
are all nearly Of an age. They lave
no old theories cf soldering TO ui,-
learn. They are ready to put all The
vim of their youth Immediately :mto
the lessons of to-day from the battle
fronts.
Secretary Baker said to-day that he
thought General Crowdcrs suggestion
that all registered men be examined
for military service. SO as to eliminate
the disqualified from consideration In
possible future calls, would be carried
out There has been no announcement
concerning replies from the State Gov
ernors to whom General Crowdcr sub
mitted the question recently.