The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1917-03-30
WILSON ORDERS
NAVY Modified
President Directs That Enlisted
Personnel Be Increased TO
$4,000 Men.
NEW ARMY DEPARTMENTS
REORGANIZATION Of Departments Aims
at Speedy Enlistment and Mobiliza-
tion-War Office Takes All Steps
for immediate Movements.

Washington Fourteen regiments
OF militia from 10 Eastern states and
the District Of Columbia were called
into the Federal service by President
Wilson under orders 10 guard and pro-
tect the vital points Of the nation
from attack from without and from
possible disloyalty within. The au-
thorized strength OF the organizations
called out is more than $4,000 men.
President Wilson, by executive or.
ders, increased the authorized enlist
ment strength OF the navy 10 $1,000
men. The executive order was made
public by Secretary OF the Navy Dan
iels. with "A plea for patriotic aid in
increasing navy enlistment. The or
der, issued under authority or the
naval appropriation act Of the present
year, would add 10000 bluejackets 10
the enlisted personnel
Under the personal direction OF
President Wilson, the War Depart
ment also the military authorities
of an army OF millions OF men imme-
diately upon action by Congress. A
sweeping general order issued by
Chief Of STAFF Major-Gen. Hugh l.,
Scott reorganized the entire depart
mental framework throughout the
country to facilitate the centraliza-
ton of commands"
The army reorganization scheme
ordered establishes SIX instead Of four
great military departments through
out the country, with a general army
officer in command of each depart
ment. The order is effective May /,
but it was said the department would
move at once to make the necessary
changes The new departments will
be the Northeastern, comprising the
New England states, and the South
eastern, comprising southern Atlantic
and east Gulf states.
Under the reorganization plan or
dered into operation the War Depart
ment will be able TO speedily enlist
and mobilize an army Of millions
through the extension of the skeleton
organization now in the service. No
move will be made toward augmenting
the military force, however, until Con
gress has spoken in the international
crisis
BY the time Congress is ready 10
act the War Department proposes 10
have every preliminary step taken,
and 10 be ready for immediate and
aggressive military movements.
The National Guard organizations
called out in the neighborhood OF their
home cities will be assigned the
guarding munitiOn plant, bridges and
railroad communications, all strategic
military points, and, in general all
public property from violence that
may follow a declaration OF war or
a state OF war.
The new army departments will be
known as the Eastern, which includes
New York and from which Gen. Wood
has been transferred; tho Northeast
ern, the Southwestern. Central, the
Southern and the Western. Gen.
Wood will go to the command of the
Southeastern Department and his
place at Governors Island will be TAX
en- by Major Gen. J. Franklin Bell. now
commanding the Western Department
Major-Gen. Hunter Liggett is trans.
ferred from the Philippines TO the
Western Department. and BRIG. Gen.
Clarence II. Edwards from the Canal
Zone to the Northeastern Department.
Major.Gen. Barry OF the Central De.
partment and Major-Gen. Pershing OF
the Southern Department remain in
their commands.