Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-05-31
Enlist!

HERE are many hundreds Of young men
i in the city Of Richmond who should an
swer the call Of country. Their country
needs them. The regular army has places
for 100000, and the navy, the Marine Corps
and the National Guard offer opportunities
for high service to three or four times as
many more.
Warnings from the War Department are
unceasing. They are urgent. They voice a
pressing necessity. From the regular army
and the National Guard will be drawn the
troops which are to follow Pershing's ex-
petition to France. France-gallant, noble,
wonderful Francois bleeding white. She
calls to her sister republic across the seas
in accents not TO be misunderstood; she
makes an appeal TO American chivalry which
only the dolt can fail to comprehend and
only the base will hesitate to answer.
She appeals TO you, young men. You
must supply the courage. the strength and
the military force and skill which will give
victory to France and to humanity. If here
tofore YOU have failed to respond, 1t must
have been because you have not completely
envisaged the situations tragedy. This is a
time for action. However long the war may
drag on, the decision must be reached within
a year. The decisive battles will be fought
ere the SHOWS of winter fall, or. at the latest,
with the advent OF another spring. A great
American army. ready for the fray. eager for
combat, equipped point device. would render
this summer and fall a service to the allied
cause tremendously In excess OF its actual
military strength. 1t would carry cheer and
hope to men who for nearly three years have
held autocracy in check. 1t would carry a
corresponding depression and dismay to the
German hosts.
Before such All army can be sent, there
must be hundreds of thousands of new en-
listments. ExistinI regiments and the new
regiments now being organized must as
simulate their fresh material and transform
recruits into trained and hardened soldiers.
The way must. be cleared for the armies the
s%elective d-af- will supply in September.
There is some question. at least. whether
the men who register on next Tuesday there
after will be permitted to enlist. The point
has not been determined authoritatively. but
there is excellent legal opinion TO the effect
that after registration only the draft will
operate, and men will not be permitted to
evade it even by entering the military or
naval service.
Until next Tuesday the way lies open.
Men may choose what branch OF the service
they will enter. They may join a regiment
OF the regular establishment and thus gain.
under highly trained officers. the advantage
OF association with the flower of American
troops. They may join the navy OF Marine
Corps. and thus assure themselves Of actual
participation, at an early date. in this great
struggle for liberty. They may join the
National Guard. and thus. while UNFOLDING.
the dignity and honor of their State, keep
the companionship of lifelong friends
In c~nlistments' for army. navy and Marine
Corps, Virginia has made a pitiable show
ing. The State has not even approached the
quota assigned by the national government.
States of the Middle Wes. have so greatly
exceeded Virginia s response to the call that
all those who love the old Commonwealth
have felt ashamed OF her recreant sons.
This is plain speaking, but plain speaking Is
demanded. Before We undertake to criticize
others. let US set our own house in order.
Than In Virginia. before war was declared.
mere was nowhere a more militant spirit.
we must make our actions back our words.
.
Miss Dorothy Frooks. of New York. wants