Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1917-05-24

Of the entente allies and to put ourselves
in position to help gain victory.
STERN REALITY THAT WE ARE AT
WAR.
Some Of us have been inclined to con-
denim President Wilson and Congress for
failure to speed up our preparations for
war. How much have we of Vermont
really done. however, as our part toward
national defense? Some Of our young men
have enlisted, a comparatively few of
US have subscribed for Liberty bonds.
which Is but another way Of saying we
have loaned money to Uncle Sam to help
pay the expenses Of war and so on.
others Of US have scratched tho ground
little and put in few seeds extra, many
Of Us have talked loud and demanded
that somebody begin to fight for us in
France at once, provided that somebody
be not us. and there the matter pretty
much ends.
Few Of us in this region would know
there was even preparation for actual
war II we did not occasionally see men
In uniforms going to and from Fort Ethan
Allen. 1t Is to be feared many of our num-
Der believe in their hearts that this Is
not going to be much Of a storm any
how. as the unbeliever is said to have
told Noah, when he bade the latter to go
to with his blamed old scow.
1t is encouraging for the cause Of ma
tional defense as we'll as effective opera
tons on the offensive in this war, that
following the visit Of the British and
French missions to this country Washing
ton has actually walked up" The federal
authorities now realize that II triumph
for world democracy is to be won over
the Kaiser, it will be necessary for this
nation to do serious fighting on a
tremendous scale on land as we'll as upon
the water.
In addition to sending a hotilla Of
torpedo dcstroyers to European waters,
the President has issued orders that Gen.
Pershing go to France as soon as possible,
to be followed as soon as may be by a
division Of the regular United States
army. Moreover, 1t is announced that
troops raised in New England, including
Vermont. will be among those sent to
| fight on French and Belgian fronts in the
not distant future.
The National Guard here and elsewhere
win be recruited to its full war strength
| In July. and on September the call will
be issued for the first $4,000 men to be
passed, and to be registered June in ac-
cordance with the proclamation of Presi-
dent Wilson published Saturday and the
proclamation Of Governor Graham, printed
in our columns this week.
With thousands Of young men from
Vermont going into training camps We
shall realize that we are at war
According to advices from Washington
the first division of the new national
army to be raised under the new army
law will be raised in Vermont and
other New England States. The canton.
ment for the northeastern department
viii be at Aver Junction. Mass, on the
5000 acre site recently selected for this
purpose by General Clarence R. Edwards
commander of the northeast depart
| ment.
The Vermont and other New England
troops win be concentrated at this Aver
mobilization camp as fast as they are
conscipted. and later on they will b.
sent to a concentration camp in the Soutf
for training for climatic and other rea
sons. 1t is stated that the National Guart
units will assemble at the Aver cam,
Immediately after they are mustered int
the federal service on July %. and aftel
two weeks will be sent South for train
ing.
While many Of us for sentimental rea
sons would like to see Roosevelt on hi!
way to France with body Of troops IL
| ouT HcdStS We Hust Icei rcdoSufcu ny th'
announcement from Washington tina
General ,Pershing's expedition to Francs
will consist of only the hardened soldiers
and seasoned fighters.
In addition to the regiments Of infantry
which battled in the Philippines and car
red the nag into Mexico. it will hav'
2, 20 marines, veterans Of skirmish actor
in all parts Of the world. These sailor
soldiers VIII be under command Of Colone
Charles A. Doyen, a native of New Hamp
shire, and a typical American ighte
who has seen thirty-four years Of actua
service.
As result of our failure three year
ago or even one year ago to prepare TO
participation in this war, at least TO
thorough national defense. we shall hav
to "muddle through" for while, as di'
the English, despite the efforts Of tn
allied missions to enable us to avoid som
Of their mistakes. We must expect oc
casional disaster. but We have gone int
this thing to see it through as we o
Vermont and other States must make VI
our minds to fight 1t out to the bite
end.