Evening journal., 1917-04-20
LACK OF INTEREST IN
RESERVE Recruiting
Officers Disappointed Be-
cause of Few Entering
Naval Coast Defense
REQUIRE SERVICE IN
TIME OF WAR ONLY

While naval officers are most com
plimentary in their remarks about the
number of high type of young men
who have offered their services for
duty in the regular navy. these Off
Gals do not conceal their disappoint-
ment at the results OF recruiting for
the Naval Coast Defense Reserve. This
branch OF the service offers unusual
opportunities for men who are past
the age limit for service in the navy
or are not up to the rigid physical
standard required Too, the Reserve
affords the additional advantages OF
not requiring service except in time
of war
Officers of the navy state they are
at a loss to understand the lack OF
interest of Wilmington men in the de-
Tense of their own State coast line
when rumors OF submarines in this
vicinity have been verified by the fact
OF the attack on the United States
destroyer Smith. at a point not far
from the Delaware Capes.
Il cannot believe that the manhood
of Delaware is not patriotic. but the
apparent lack OF interest in defensive
work in the fourth naval district at
this time of crisis shows that some
thing is radically wrong. Likely. this
condition is due to a lack of realiza-
ton of the seriousness of the situation
in which event let me warn the people
OF Delaware that they may find the
Delaware Bay virtually blockaded
within perhaps. but a week. Further
Il is not only possible but likely that
submarines, mounting 5-inch and g.
inch guns. will actually attack the
shores OF lower Delaware" The man
who made this statement stands close
10 the naval authorities OF this dis
frict and Is In position to speak with
definite knowledge of the opinions of
men high in the service OF the navy.
Further, naval authorities have
very substantial grounds for the be-
lief that submarine mine-layers are
already near our shores prepared TO
strew waters OF the New Jersey, Del
aware. Maryland and Virginia coasts
with floating contact mines. That we
are facing merciless warfare at our
very doors cannot be too strongly en-
phasized"
Referring to the slow progress be-
ing made in recruiting the force of
5000 men needed in the fOurh naval
district. naval officer stationed at
Philadelphia said: Unless there is
immediate response to call for men
from this section. 4. will be necessary
to bring men from other districts to
do the work that should be done by
men OF New Jersey and Delaware. In
short. we must ask citizens OF other
States to protect the States whose
own citizenry will not protect"
Enlistment in the Naval Coast De-
Tense Reserve does not necessarily re-
quire knowledge OF navigation or
other departments of seamanship.
There is a place for every able-bodied
man under IS years. Pipe filters. ma
chinists, engineers. firemen, gasoline
engine builders. carpenters. black
smiths. electricians and every other
class OF mechanics are needed, also
men without trades A number of
stenographers and other ofice-trained
men are wanted as yeomen. The hos
pital branch of the reserve needs sur
geons. nurses and pharmacists
Application for enlistment in the
Naval Coast Defense Reserve can be
made at the office on the third floor OF
the new Public Building.