Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-11-27
new OFFICERS GET
CAMP ASSIGNMENTS
President Wilson and MIR.
Baker Honor Graduates
at Fort Myer.

| Assignments TO camps are today be-
| ing given to the $40 new officers who re-
ceived commissions In the Fort Myer
| training camp yesterday afternoon d.
rect from Secretary Baker. while Presi-
| dent Wilson nodded approval, after hav-
\ ing Inspected the training regiment.
Before delivering the commissions Sec
rotary Baker told the successful candi-
dates of the hopes officials of the country
are building on their ability to help train
the National Army. Secretary Baker
said he wanted the American Army not
only to bring back victory. but to leave
in Europe memories of American chivalry
and high moral standards. Just before
Secretary Baker delivered the diplomas
the new officers sang several songs which
have become popular since the United
States entered the war. Kenneth Clark, the
song leader from Camp Meade. was in
charge of this part of the program.
More than sixty Washington youths
Robert Is. Johnson. 2224 F street north
west. was one of three men from the
training camp to win commissions as
majors. He won his billet in the field
artillery section. Robert L. Gray Of
Brooklyn. y. Y. also was made major of
field artillery and Stuart S. Janney OF
Baltimore was made major of infantry.
High Officials Present.
The highest officials of the government
of leaders in Washington society and from
other states crowded about the Presi-
dents stand.
Following the regimental review Rev
DR.. Forrest ]. Prettyman. chaplain Of the
Senate. pronounced this invocation:
Almighty God. look from Thy throne
upon US this day as nation girds UP It's
loins for the mighty task of establishing
once more on this earth the rule Of rea-
son and the law of life.
We cannot shut our eyes to the
mighty conflict into which we have been
called We see the devastation Of a fair
civilization by an organization of ill-will
against the peaceful nations OF the earth
We have already felt the shock Of battle.
We move forward under the impulse OF a
high sense OF justice and right.
We dedicate to Thee the lives Of our
boys. We bring the costly offering Of
their heroic spirits.
Confidence In Va1or.
1--WE send them forth with confidence
in their valor and with certainty Of the
justice of the cause to which they have
consecrated their lives.
We pray Thee to lay Thy hand upon
them and make them to know their fell
lowship with all the noble spirits who in
all the ages have dared to die for human
freedom.
I'VE pray Thee to protect them in
danger, to comfort them in days Of lone
illness and give them the elation Of success
in their high enterprise.
Through their courage and strength
and wisdom may there be vouchsafed
one more to all the nations Of the earth
IhprfV n n sc ~
a common Justice"
Col Charles W. Fenton, commandant
of the training camp. introduced Sec
rotary Baker in a brief speech, review
had been accomplished by the various
officers reserve camps since the war
was declared. pointing out that enough
officers had already been commissioned
to command 100000 men and that
when the third camp. starting in jan
100000 troops would be differed.
Talks Intimately to Officers.
Secretary Baker delivered a heart-to-
heart talk to his young officers. II
want first to congratulate Col Fenton
and his officers for the men we see be-
fore US today" he said. IT want to
this country. that they can give to this
cause to which we are now devoted such
an inspiring and courageous army of
officers, and this within an amazingly
short time.
IF I have one word to say to the
officers 1t is this. that the purpose of
giving orders is not to rouse emotions
IN the breasts Of men who give them
or cause humiliation to the men who
receive them. It is rather, that we
are, as officers of the government,
out the common WILL and that,
a n n r1d nnyy yrvt1e
and interpret this common will we are
out the purposes Of the coun-
try.
I'VE have raised this new Army
found that the volunteer system IS not
sufficiently discriminatory, but we have
raised II with a knowledge that when
the country calls In it's crisis 1t has
never yet found American men want
ing.
Proving Safety Of Democracy.
Let me urge this. though. that while
we are making the world safe for
democracy. we are also proving that
democracy Is safe for the world.
I'm taking your commands I expect
three things of you:
''First-That you give careful and
adequate training to the men under
you.
"Second-Never lose sight that Won
are out of the body of our people. That
the men under you are partners In the
same destiny, and that your higher
rank is given only as a means to OBJ
tain the results this country hopes to
accomplish.
Third expect you one and all to
set an example of high moral living
and integrity.
You are soon to go to France, and
am looking ahead to the time you shall
return with victories
The first great victory over German
autocracy VIII be a victory over YOUR
self, of chivalry dealing to an unfair
enemy fair blow and leaving behind
in France a real impression of America
and Americans that will not be forgot
ten.
Your country bids you go and bring
back all these victories"