The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-05-19
War Reduced to Exact Science
and Only Trained Soldiers
Should Be In Command
PLAN WOULD TAKE
MEN NEEDED HERE
Executive Praises Colonel, But
his No Time When Such
Compliment as Proposed
Can Be Paid Him

Washington. May fS.--FIatly
rejecting that section of the meas
ure which would permit Colonel
Roosevelt to organize volunteer
divisions. President Wilson to-
night signed the consumption bill.
The bill was signed despite OPP
position which manifested itself
at the eleventh hour I'm many
quarters.
President Wilson based hi. re-
fusal of Colonel ROoseyelt's Offer
on the character of the force vol
unteercd. In u statement which
praised the colonel for his pa
triotisrn, the president pointed out
that the war was no mnybrOol,
but job of work for practical
fighting men. There was no place
for tho old, hip. hip, hurr'ah and
come on boys lighting of other
days. War had been reduced to
an exact science, and only men
trained to the demands of that
science could hope to survive.
Presidents Statement.
The presidents statement announc-
ing his intention of not accepting .he
Roosevelt divisions on the ground that
1t would not work for efficiency foi-
lows:
Il shall not avail myself--at any
rate. at the present stage OF 'ne war
or the author tzatlon eon's 1ed hY the
act to organize volunteer divisions.
ITO do So would seriously interiors
with the carrying out OF the chlel ana
most lmmedlateiy important purpose
contemplated ny TINS ieslS.@uoh
me prompt creation ana carry use
OF Al elierllFe. army Wouta cbnAtloats
iI's"tAca1's hvtHlHs 10 tf'e el"V'1ss
FtreilSth OF me armies now ehsaGea
against Vel many
hc'cis 10 Roosevelt
understand that tho section o,
TINS act "h'ch aothorizes the creation
OF volunteer uiF@slons' N audltloA 10
the dral'' was added win Wow 20
proVioihg an lhdependeht coHiiaana
lor Mr. Roosevelt ana giving me Nln-
larry authorlles an opportunity 20 use
ms me Visor ana enthusiasm recrui'-
ING the FORCES no" at the "eStefp
IRON,
IT wouid De very agreeao pie TO me
10 pay MI. hooseNeIt inns com pilmen'
ana the aiiies 'he compliment OF seno
ing TO their alo one or our most as
ungulshed puohc men, an eN-presi
dent, VINO mas rendered many con-
ms gaIantry IN many stf1Klng ways
POLITICALLY, TOO IL would no doub'
nave very me eHect ana MAKE i
profonho impression. -hut TINS Is ho'
the time or the occasion ior coinph-
inent or TOT any artion not cai'ulate1
10 contrlpute 10 the immediate sue
cess OF the war me business no"
IN mana IS uhdranatic' pracucal ano
OF sclehtihc aenhl'ehess ana precision
1 snaii act with regard 10 II a, every
step ana IN every particular undef
expert and professional advice nom
ooth sides Oh the wate'.
CEpSts 10 iropos'n composition.
nat adVlce Is that tha men moSI
needed are men OF the ages contem'
plated IN the draft provisions or the
present Dill, not men o. the age ana
sort contemplated In inc seruon
Wnlcn authorizes the tormhtlon oil
counter units. ana thae ior me pre-
I'm airy training or the men VINO are
I" be Srafted, we shall neec al II
our experienced ofhcers. MT FoosH'
Velt toid men. wnen had the pleas
ure or seeing MIN rev weeks ago,
that ne would wish 10 nave associated
with MN some or the most elfectlNe
officers or the regular army. He
named many or those whom he would
desire TO nave designated Tor the ser
possibly be spared from the too small