New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-04-16
Saws u. S. Owes 1t to HUI
mainly to Fight in
Trenches 4.
Colonel Outlines Volunteer
Plan to Congressional
Chairmen

Washington, April ID olonel Roose-
Welt. in letters to-day to Senator Cham
berlsin and Representative Dent, chair
men Of the Congressional Military COM
mittecs, detailed his plans for raising
and accompanying a volunteer eXpedl-
ton TO join the Allies on the western
European battle front. lie heartily APP
proved the Administrations cumpuI-
sorry service programme for providing
war army, but insisted that volun-
teers could be put on the firing line IN
four months and that the American
flag should be there at the earliest pos
sble moment.
When he was here last week Colonel
Roosevelt saw the Military Committee
chairmen after his conference with
President Wilson, and they asked HIM
to submit his view Of the situation in
writing.
81 most earnestly and heartily sup
mort the Administration bill for pro-
viding an army raised on the principle
of universal obligatory military train
ing and service" Ccloacl Eoosevelts
letter read. - cannot too strongly
emphasize my support of the admins
tration in this matter and my appre-
citation of the need OF introducing TINS
principle as a permanent feature OF
our national policy. Il is the really
democratic principle, the only princii-
ME fl for a free republic, IN when
citizenship should be based on equal'y
Of both rights and duties, so that UNI
yersal suffrage and universal service
should 20 hand in hand.
Wants Permanent Compuision
eft Is alorg the lines proposed by
tho Administration that We snou'u ~
auour,te our permanent military poi
lev and II is only thus that we can
carry on the war IN proper mahhGI -
il should last d year. or TWO OF IhIcc
oars or over and no one can ioIe
;eu how long it will last. BCt' OIL
course a Great system Of this klnd' 4
system entirely in this country can
not be Immediately inaugurated.
"Nanv months. probably at least a
wear or over. must eiapse before me
army thus raised would be aFa'Idole
for Isc I'm Europe i'm the hard, aggreS
si,o Grhtine campaigns which II IS non
orably incumbent on us 10 uhuei'aNo
nov. that we have entered into the wal
"Neanwbile let US use Voluhtee.
forces i'm connection with a portion OF
IN REGULAR army in order at the earl
of rossible moment, within a re-"
months. TO put our flag on the hriiinlg
line We owe this to humanlty' we
ava +. 20 the small nations who nave
suffered such dreadful wrong from
Cormanv Most Of all. we owe 1t 10
ourselves 10 our national honor ana
self-respect. for
For the sake Of our own souls TOT
tho SAKE Of the memories OF the greaI
Americans Of the past. we must snow
thot we do not intend 10 make TINS
merely n dollar war. Let US pay win
omr bodies our souls desire. Let US
without one hours necessary delaS
rut The American flag on the battle
front in this great world war Tor dem
ocracv and civilization and Tor the
reign Of Justice and fair dealing among
the nations Of mankind.
Seeks 100000 Volunteers
The Colonel said he did not seek 10
have the volunteer system lrteritIe
in any wav with or substitute for tne
obligatory plan. but That except III
certain cases the volunteers should pc
composed Of men who would not De
taken under obligatory service. ne
nroposed an amendment to the act o.
March II. 1899, providing Tor the ralS
ing Of $4,000 volunteers, so as 10 au-
thorize the President TO RAISE Iorce
Of not more than 100000 tor -OV'Voo
~ 100000 later for three years OF
the duration Of the war
binder this act" the letter cOntln
ued. 81 should ask leave TO raise, iol
Immediate service overseas with the
frst expedltionary force, an infantry
division Of three three-reglment
, briqades and one divisional brigade
Of cavalry. together with an artillery
brigade. a regiment of engineers, a
motorcyc!e machinegun regiment, an
aero squadron, signal corps. supply
service. etc. ! should request the Wan
Department FOR the detail Of. say, TWO
o6iccrs for every thousand men.
81 believe that, acting under the d.
rection and with the aid of the de-
partment. / could raise the division
and have il ready to begin shipment
Ia France in two or three months. Ny
idea would be to have the intensive
training in gas work. bomb throwing
bayonet lighting and trench work
given i'm France. They would then lie
sent into the trenches when they we ,e
thoroughly prepared.
AS for my fitness 10 command
trooDs IN the field, | respectfully re-
fer YOU to my three immediate field
Commanders in the Cuban campaign
Lieutenant General 6. y. 81 louns
(retircd). Major General Samuel sur