Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-11-26
OFFICERS RECEIVING
ARMY COMMISSIONS
President Wilson and Officials
at Fort Myer Camp
Graduation.

President Wilson. members OF his
cabinet and the highest officials Of the
government, military and civil. are
this afternoon. attending the war-grad-
uation exercises at the Fort Myer train
ing camp. where 800 men from civil
life who have been found qualified in
three months of intensive training are
receiving their commissions as majors.
captains, frst and second lieutenants
There are more than sixty young men
from Washington who will receive
commissions.
The commissions are being delivered
by secretary Baker. following an in
the glorious opportunity for service
and achievement that lies before them
Within few weeks all Of these on
GERS will be assigned to active service
tails.
Seated with President Wilson In the
stand. besides his cabinet, are Mrs.
Wilson. Maj. Gen. John Bfddle, acting
chief Of staff: other high officers Of
the army, representatives of the allied
governments. members Of the Supreme
Court and Of Congress.
Foreign Officers Attend.
Conspicuous in the gathering are
more than 800 French and English Of
hcers who have been fraternizinR with
the candidates in the Fort Myer camp
and who have wondered at the Ameri-
can adaptability which has made effi-
Gent officers In three months training.
Massed about the drill field are thou
sands OF relatives and friends Of the
leaders Of society from the district Of
Columbia, Maryland. Virginia, New Jar
sey. Delaware and Pennsylvania.
On account Of the seriousness OF war
conditions a troop Of I'd Cavalry.
mounted. is acting as q special guard
to President Wilson.
Review Of the Graduates,
The program started with a rer,-
mental review Of the 900 who have won
commissions by President Wilson Sec-
retary Baker. Maj. Gen. Biddle and Col
Charles W. Fenton, commandant OF the
camp. " '"e
After the regiment had been drawn
up In hollow square formation facing
the Presidents stand. Rev. DR.. Forrest
States Senate, pronounced an tnyocsa
ton on the young officers going forth
as leaders In the world-war for liberty
The rest of the program includes q.
tion of Secretary Baker by Col. Fenton
address and delivery of the commits,
sions by Secretary Baker. patriotic
songs by the regiment and benedictfon
by Rev. Mr.. Prettyman.
The Marine Band is furnishing a
concert program before the Graduation
exercises and during the program
The training camp closes tomorrow.
Want to Train in France.
Officer graduates of the traininp
camps want to go to France for an in.
tensive course of instruction with Cen
Pershing's forces. They think the ex.
perienee would give them better eouin-
ment for training the men at home.
Some will be assigned to the Regular
Army and to specialized branches.
Recently the department directed that
reserve officers could enter National
Guard commands on their own applics-
ton, but that II commissioned II, the
guard they would lose their Commits
sions In the reserve.
There is good deal Of dissatisfac-
ton among reserve officers on this and
other scores. Many see in trainine
service in France a way out Of the dir
ficulty. and their organization has
taken the matter up with Secretary
Baker.
1000 Already Sent Abroad.
Already about 1000 reserve officers
have been sent to France for special
training had hoop =