South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-09-20
RATIONAL ARMY
HALF Modified
Work of Moving Drafted Men
to CantOnmentS Gees
on Smoothly.

WASHINGTON. Sept. 20-While
mobilization Of the first major incre-
ment Of the national army was pro-
ceeding Wednesday throughout the
country, Sec'y Baker and the chiefs
OF the war department appeared be-
fore the senate appropriation COM
mittee 10 present requests for an ad-
ditional S2s7.416.OOO with which 10
provide equipment for a total force
Of $500. 600 men.
Included ahong the items is the
ordnance equipment for the next
5000 men Of the national army, al
though the 5000 or more men on
the move Wednesday toward the
training environments are only half
of the first call.
Dispatches from all parts of the
country indicated that mobilization
was being carried forward smoothly
and amid scenes of popular enthus-
iasm The draft army men were
given a tremendous send-of as they
trOoped to their trains led by the
local board officials, who found them
qualified 20 join the ranks Of the
national defenders. Almost the en-
tire As per cent of the first call
force of $4,000 men will be under
military control and training by sat
urday.
Well Fed and Sheltered.
Every essential Tor the health and
comfort of the men has been pro-
vided for. They will be fed and
sheltered without difficulty and their
arms, uniforms and all the balance
of their war equipment will be ready
for them as rapidly as they are
ready 10 use il.
There are busy days ahead at the
environments. Not only must the
men be examined by military doc
tors and finally accepted for army
service. but they must be organized
individually into provisional cOmpa-
MES for administrative purposes and
TO make possible their final assign
ments to the infantry, cavalry or ar
tillery or TO the special corps of
the army. The qualifications Of each |
man are 10 be noted and his ulti- |
mate duty as far as practicable will |
bear some relation TO the training |
he has received in civil life and his |
own inclinations.
All this will take time. Time al |
So will he required TO determine |
what men of the national army are
ITO he transferred to the national !
guard divisional camps TO fill those |
divisions 10 lighting strength. The
organization Of the companies, bat |
talions, regiments or other units OF
the national army itself cannot be
completed until the transfer has
been made.
No Uniforms at start.
Pending the time when the fight |
ing forces Of the national army be /
gin 10 take shape, it is not essential !
that full uniform equipment he !
available for every man assembled at
ne camps. Preliminary instruction |
i'm the school of a soldier. which !
teaches men how 10 stand and walk |
and the bearing and department Of |
a trained and disciplined fighting |
man. can we'll enough he given in
citizen clothes if necessary.
Many of the young reserve officers
who are to command units of the /
national army are now at the can
comments. For additional training. |
after their graduation from the Of /
ficers' training camps. some have
been attached TO national guard /
units. Others are at service schools !
preparing 10 become instructors 10 I
the batteries. machine gun cOmpa- !
MES. signal battalions and all the |
other highly specialized arms Of the |
service.
Regular officers assigned 10 COM |
mand regiments of national army are
looked upon somewhat envioUsly by /
their comrades who remain with the I
regulars or go TO the national guard /
IL is a common expression among |
these officers that the task Of train I
ing the absolutely new forces is an |
inspiring one 10 man who likes to /
see his company, troop or battery |
develop from day 10 day The ma |
tional army men are all nearly Of /
an age They have no old theories !
of soldering TO unlearn They are |
ready to put all the vim Of their /
youth Immediately into the lessons |
Of today from the battle fronts
Freedom from old prejudices or 1
from internal political factions
which beset some guard organiza
tions. and many other things also /
are on the side Of the new army. |
There are many officers who believe /
il will become. as a fighting force. |
the finest body of troops in the |
world.