Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-03-27
NEEDED TO BRING
PERSONNEL UP TO
FULL STRENGTH
President Orders Immediate
Recruiting of Ma
rine Corps.
CHANCE TO SERVE NATION
IN FIRST LINE OF DEFENSE
Score of Additional National
Guard Regiments in Western
States Summoned to Duty.
NO FURTHER CALL IN PROSPECT
government Planning to Deal Libcr.
ally With German and Other
Foreign Subjects.
CHANCE TO SERVE NATION
IN FIRST LINE OF DEFENSE
NO FURTHER CALL IN PROSPECT
lRv Associated Press l

" 'iNt ION, Aarch 26.-War prep
arations by the government TODAY in
cfded calling into the Federal service
a score of additional National f;uard
regiments for police service IN tho
western and Middle Western States
ana an order for the immediate re-
cruitinE Of the Marine Corps to fu,,
war strength of 1900 men
With both the navy and the Marine
Corps ordered UP TO fulI strength. the
only step remaining to increase the
navy personnel without action by Con-
SrcSs is the calling out OF the naval
militia. II has been understood that
the militia will be needed to mi ont
crews for the many vessels to be added.
but no announcement on the subject
has been made.
Secretary Baker said to-day no fur
thcr call upon the National Guard was
In prospect. More than thirty-two
regiments have been summoned to Fed
cral duty to guard industries or other
property which might be threatened by
Internal disorder growing out Of the
German situation.
The address to be delivered to Con-
Eress next week by the President
probably will be discussed at the Cabi-
net meeting tomorrow. The sugges-
tion that "A large sum in the form OF
money or credits be furnished one or
all of the entente allies is one of the
important problems to he taken up.
DANIELS ASKS AID
OF NEWSPAPER EDITORS
The order TO increase the Marine
Corps from it's present authorized max
mum OF l4,9S1 to 1900 was announced
by Secretary Daniels in the following
statement telcgraphcd to newspaper
editors. whose aid in finding the men
is sought
THE President has signed an cxccu-
tive order directing that the authorized
strength Of the Marine Corps be In
creased to 1900 men.
"lie was authorized by Congress, in
ease OF emergency, to direct such in
crease in enlistment.
The United States Marine Corps Is
the soldier branch OF our first line OF
defense Marines serve both ashore
and atloat. and arc trained infantry,
heavy and light artillery. end ma
chine gun companies. They form the
landing parties from ships OF the navy,
are the first men detailed for expe-
dictionary duty. and defend all naval
bases. Each capital ship of the navy
carries one company of marines. There
has been net Increase of over 5000 in
the strength Of the corps since Con-
gresS recently authorized an increase.
bu, over 1000 more arc nv,ded and
needed nov.
"Will you please emphasize the needs
Of this importan, branch OF our naval
service by giving special prominence
in your paper TO the Presidents order?
The Marine Corps offers exceptional
opportunities TO young men of grit and
ambition TO serve their country in the
tirst line of defense.
In this emergency YOU have the op-
portunity and privilege OF performing
this public service. and 7 am confidently
appealing to YOU FOR your cordial and
helpful co-operation."
MORE THAN :a.GOD MEN
MUST he RECRUITED
TO give the iss-S7. .O0J blucjackets
and add the marines needed. more than
1000 men must be recruited.
While Mr.. Daniels was discussing the
new order with newspaper representa-
,ives. President Wilson walked into the
secrctary's office unannounced. lie
took a seat to await the conclusion of
the newspaper conference. and was an
interested spectator for several min
utcs before any one knew he was In
tho room
There was continued discussion to-
day of the motive OF the War Depart
ucnt in transferring Major-GeneSal
Wood to the new southeastern Military
Department from his present post In
command OF the Eastern Department.
Secretary Iiakcr again refused TO dis
cusS the matter. and no explanation
was Forthcoming from any other source
that fixed the action as more than a
question of administrative routine.
MIR. Baker took occasion during the
day 10 confirm the impression that the
government tx planning 10 deal lib
orally with German or other foreign
subjects resident in the United states
in the event OF war He was asked
specifically II the War Department was
negotiating with the Interior Depart
ment for sites for internment camps.
There is no such plan In contemp'a-
tion,' he replied. ''All resident aliens