The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1917-01-08
Defense Body to Urge Repatria.
ton of Soldiers of Fortune
in Armies Abroad.
PLAN SUGGESTED BY IRWIN
Writer Would Have Such Men
Return to Teach Lessons
to United States.

1 AhCPoAAAoeAOh vi ahlCAiSdh oOAAtN"-
OF fortune who have served during
the progress OF the war in the vari-
Gus European armies will be vigcr-
ously agitated at the forthcoming
congress Of the National Security
League In this city the latter part
of this month. as a measure of ma
tional defense. ~.
This fact has developed in connec-
ton with striking disclosures made
by Will Irwin, an American war cor
respondent and magazine writer, be-
fore the National Press Club last
night concerning the extent to which
American volunteers serving with the
British. French and italian armies
are being developed into exception
ally well-trained officers and soldiers.
AT the present time" said M
Irwin, there are about 10000 Amett-
cans serving as officers or in the
ranks along the western front. They
are getting training in modern war
fare such as cannot be excelled. Most
OF them are young fellows in their
early twenties, who went into the
war either out of sympathy for the
side they are nghting for or from
love OF adventure.
Many Reach High Rank.
MANY of them have risen to high
rank. A personal friend of mine,
whom I had known in the United
States before the outbreak OF the
war, enlisted in the British army es
q Tommy By dint of exceptional
ability has rose to the rank of major.
He is now in hospital suffering
NarI
to the front with the rank of lieuten-
ant colonel Before the end of the
war, IL he lives, he will undoubtedly
reach the rank of colonel. He, like
all OF those who have earned commits
sionss has won his way from the bot
tom, and he ranks as one of THE most
efficiept officers in the British army.
He now knows modern warfare in all
its phases.
Another friend of mine, an Ameri-
can also, holds high rank which he
obtained through service with the
British infantry He was rather bad.
| ly wounded. and because of, this Is
now stationed in England, having
been. transferred to the anti-aircraft
artillery branch OF the service. His
battery, which he commands, is re-
sarded by British critics as one Of
the most efficient there is.
Experts In Modern Warfare.
"AIl through the army divisions on
the. west front one comes across
American soldiers and officers who
have been through some OF the worst
battles the world has ever witnessed.
and have come out as tried experts In
the school of modern warfare.
ut seems to me that when we talk
about preparedness in this country,
we should consider the tremendous
advantage 1T would be to US II these
80, 900 or more highly trained and
wonderfully efficient soldiers could
be brought back to this country at the
close of the European War and be
made the nucleus for military organi-
nations in the United States.
But as IL il, our country, through
our State Department and our Con-
gTess, has closed the door to these
men. Our State Department has ruled
that they have lost their American
citizenship, and the laws paused by
our Congress have made II so that,
even II the bar of expatriation were
let down, men who have won. high
rank in the battles OF Europe cannot
hope for q larger commission in the
u
that OF second lieutenant"
Officers of the National Security
League declared today that a move.
ment would be set on foot at the
forthcoming conference to have these
obstacles removed.
Ruling In MaFburE's Case.
The State Departments ruling re-
garding expatriation of Americans
fighting with the armies OF Europe
was handed out in the case OF Theo-
dore MarburE. Jr.. of Baltimore, son
of the former American Minister to
Holland. Young Marburg, who join.
ed the Royal British Aviation Corps
at the outbreak of the European War,
had risen to the rank of lieutenant,
when he had his leg shot off on the
French front. He returned to this
country to recuperate, but on leaving
again for England last fall, was de-
MED an American passport on the
ground that he had sacrificed his
American citizenship by taking the
oath Of allegiance required OF persons
joining the military service OF the
helligerent nations.
The ruling Of the State Depart
ment, 1t was explained at the time.
was made necessary In part by the
requirements Of neutrality. At the
close OF the war, 1t was stated, all
Americans who had enlisted In the
armies abroad would be In the POSI-
ton Of expatriates, although It was
indicated that individuals coming
under this ban would have opportu-
nifty to apply for q restoration of
their citizenship.