New Britain herald., 1917-05-21
I. R. DISBANDS HIS
 VOLUNTEER FORCE.

'M NOl belOre Takln6 Sn0t al
 President Wilson
 Oyster Bay, May 2l.-Theodore Noosevelt announced in a statement yesterday afternoon the disbandment ot tho divisions he had enrolled as a volunteer army to go to France, &And advised the men to serve the country as best they could in other WAys. However, in abandoning hts enort to take a fighting force to Eu- rope, the colonel quoted The Brooklyn Eagle as attributing to his effort the fact that General Pershing, with Q Force of American soldiers, will soon bs in France. He regarded this as compromise on the part of President Wilson.
 The colonel sharply criticised the statement of President Wilson. in which he refused to accept his army NeferrinE to "the errors into which the president has been led," he denied that he had any political purpose in wanting to go to France. He denied also that he had sought a high com. mand.
 Had he obtained the permission he ]. sought. Mir. Roosevelt said, he could nave had his men assembling today, and could have had two divisions on the firing line by Sept. 1, the date on which Secretary of War Baker, he pointed out, had announced that the assembling of men under the select- i've draft would begin.
 The statement of MT. Roosevelt sVaQ taken n mean that hA xvo,,1A v,nk accept the major generalship in the New York National Guard offered to him by Governor Whitman. The statement follows:
 Colonel Rooeeyelt.s Statement,
 ITO the Men Who Have Volunteered
 for Immediate Service in the
 Firing Line in the Divisions Which Congress Authorixed:,
 The president. has announced that he will decline to permit these di- visions to be organized or to permit me to have command in connection with such a force. After consulta- ton yesterday, personally or by wire, with some of the men who had voltn- teered to raise units, regiments, and bAttalions for the divisions includina John C. 0roomc of Pennsylvania, Seth Bullock of South Dakota. John Green- way of Arizona, John Parker of Louisiana. Robert Carey of Wyoming, J. F. Donnelly of Nevada. Sloan simp- son of Texas, n. c. Collier and F. R. Burnham of California, I. L. Reeves and H. Nelson Jackson of Vermont Harry Simpson, w J. Shieffelin. Ham, ilton Fish and w. H. Donovan of New York. Rock Channing. David M. Good rich. W. F. Dame. and various others Ayh {srn~ AtAA Al. was decided unanimously that In yaew l of the decision of the president sthel only course open to us Is forthwith tod disband and to abandon all further l effort in connection with the divisions. thereby leaving each man free to get l into the military service in some other l way, if that Is possible, and if not, then to serve his country in civil life as he best can.
 We rejoice that a division com- posed of our fine regular soldiers and marines under so gallant and efficient . leader as General Pershing is to be sent abroad. We have 8 right to cer- tain satisfaction in connection there- with. The Brooklyn Eagle last even- ] Ing stated authoritatively that the sAnding of this expedition was a com promise between the original plans of the general stan, WnlCn IAVOTeO no early expedition. and the request of Colonel Roosevelt. for authority for m immediate expedition. The Roose- velt agitation, backed by the ex- pressed desire of such distinguished military leaders as General Joffre and General Petain, unquestionably had It's effect in bringing about the Persh- ing expedition. Tho compromise is that France 1eta American soldiers in the trenches but that Roosevelt will not lead nor accompany them. It is believed in Washington that any criti- asm for turning down Roosevelt will be fully answered by the fact that American soldiers are going over, I
 If this gives the explanation of Inc matter. gladly say that we are Ill unselnshly pleased to have served this use. although We regret not to have been allowed ourselves to ren- der active service. It Is due to the mon who have come forward in this matter during the three and one-half months since Feb ?, when began the work of raising one or more di- visions, that the following facts should De known:
 ''If yesterday my offer immediately to raise four divisions for immediate
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