Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1917-03-29

Warrington, March 25.-President Will
son took steps to-day to place the nation
on a war footing.
BY executive order he directed that the
navy be recruited without delay to full
authorized war strength of $1,000 enlisted
men. Taken in connection with emer-
gency naval construction already ordered,
this means that the President has exer-
cised the full limit of his legal powers as
commander to prepare the navy
for war.
For the army. the President directed
that two new military departments be
created in the Atlantic coast region, one
comprising the New England States and
the other comprising the States in the
Old South. The order means that the
task or organizing whatever army Con-
gress may authorize will be divided among
six departmental commanders instead of
four in the interests of speed and eff
cheney In mobilization.
The third step was to assume as a ma
tional duty the task Of protecting Ameri-
can industries from domestic disorders
in the event Of hostilities. For this pur-
pose II full infantry regiments, two
separate battalions and one separate COM
pany Of National Guards were called back
into the federal service to act as ma
tional police in important districts. Sup
plementing these troops. a regiment OF
Pennsylvania guard and two companies
Of Georgia infantry. en- route home from
the border for mastering out, were ordered
retained in the federal service.
The Presidents orders were made known
in terse official statements issued by both
departments. No explanation accom-.
panied them except the statement that
reorganization Of the military depart.
ments. effective May I. was designed tc
facilitate decentralization Of command.
FOR FULL STRENGTH NAVY.
Following is the executive order bring
ing the navy UP to war strength:
by virtue OF the authority vested ir
the President by the act Of Congress ap.
proved August 20. 1916. entitled An &C,
making appropriations for the naval serv
ice for the fiscal year ending June 30
1917. and for other purposes it is hereb,
directed that the authorized enlisted
strength Of the navy be increased to ST. 00
men.
(signed) WOODROW WILSON"
The navy must enroll Immediately ap
proximately $4,000 men to reach the re
CURED strength. Secretary Daniels sup
plemented 1t tonight with personal tele
country, urging them to aid the depart
ment in every way in their power t.
obtain the men.
ORDER FOR GUARDsMEN.
The war departments order calling into
federal service IA regiments Of the Ma
tional Guard for police protection pur
poses was announced in the following
statement:
MANY States have deemed 1t advisabl,
to call out the National Guard for polio,
purposes of protection. AS the necesst!
for such steps arises from the issues which
are moro national than local. it has beer
deemed advisable by the President to cal
into federal service for the above men
toned purpose the following organiza
tions Of the National Guard:
Massachusetts, End and 9th regiments
pennsylvania, LIST and Bird regiments
Maryland. 4th regiment
District Of Columbia, LIST separate bat
tahon.
Virginia, End regiment
Vermont. Company b, LIST regiment
"Connecticut. LIST regiment.
''New York, End and list regiments.
New Jersey. LIST and 9Th regiments.
delaware. list battalion, LIST regiment.
The following regiments which ar