The Washington herald., 1917-05-07
Army and Navy News
Best service coIu--. I'm city.

Fffteen Johns Hopkins men win be
among the very first physicians and sur
seons Of this country 20 begin service
IN France under the American nag. Some
Of the men have left Baltimore and the
others are about 10 hurry away. Ths
time Of departure and all conditions un-
der which the tn viii be made are
kept secret for obvious reasons Tbs
censorship was clamped down 30 tight
that Il also applies to the names OF the
men who are chosen.
Upon the heels OF these first fifteen
viii go many more. There are about l0
men OF the necessary standing who have
volunteered for service. The call for these
will probably come promptly enough.
The 100 even as an available reserve
force are regarded as too. small by the
War Department
Maryland has been asked 70 have 90
physicians and surgeons in readiness. IL
is clear now that the nrst move Of the
United States in the big war IL 10 mobi-
lize forces Of skilled medical men TO helu
save the lives OF those brave soldier OF
the allies who need more medical atten-
ton than Il is possible now 70 give them.
The medical men who volunteer for this
service are being put through a thor
ough physical exsmipation, for before
them is a severe strain. Il In the kind OF
strain. however, that some Of the more
experienced men can cope with. Not
young men only will be taken but some
men Of 20 or even 50 years.
The orders are being sent at short
notice and mysteriously. Little delay
is expected before the next order TO leave
at once for a particular ship il given 70
another contingent.
This plan Is distinct from any csu
upon the Johns Hopkins base hospital
unit That is a distinct organization,
with DR.. Winford H. Smith as its head
The men who go now will serve at clear
ing houses for wounded. about ten or NJ
teen miles behind the shifting front lines
The base hospitals will be for case that
REQUIRE more extended treatment or con
Ivalescence.
An army board consisting OF Maj. Gems.
Bell and Bliss and Brig Gems. Edwards.
Hodges and Khun has begun sessions at
the War Department 70 select officers 20
be assigned TO the general stan. which
will be more than doubled in size during
the war.
Great stress has been laid by the mill
I tary men Of the French and British mis-
sions on the necessity OF having highly
| trained, efficient officers for stan duty
| The system Of selection applied In The
American army is calculated to bring only
men who have shown peculiar aptitude 70
the stan
1t is regarded as highly probable that
| the first fighting men OF the army 70
reach the front in France will be com
/ missions Of officers sent over to live with
/ French and British regiments on the line
| and absorb the latest DEVELOPMENTS OF
warfare At first hand. This has been
suggested by both French and British
officers and approved by stan officials.
/ as on their return, the American oficers
| could contribute much TO the business
Of army training at home.
Gen Wood, in leaving Governors Island
/ for the Southeastern Department has
issued strong appeal for all men Of
| character. education and ability 20 avail
| themselves Of the splendid opportunity
| Afforded by the Officers Reserve Corps
/ training camps.
Men responding for the first call will
/ be on the roll Of honor. In after years
they will have a feeling Of pride that they
dit not wait FOR a second or third call.
but responded promptly when the coun-
| try was at war and their services needed.
II IS these men who will train first re-
Cruits and will have the first honor and
| privilege Of their own active service in
| France. In order to facilitate the handling
Of applicants for the camps the new d.Ei-
| sion OF the Eastern Department into
Northeast East and Southeastern he
partments will not go into effect for the
purposes OF the officers training camps
until after these have been officially open
| ed on May Is, so that all ofiCIal com
municatiOns in the handling Of the camps
will continue from Governors Island
| The present figures show approximately
| l.75O applicants recommended for the
1 training camp at Fort Myer, Va. the
number needed from Maryland. Delaware,
New Jersey and Virginia being 900.