New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-06-25
Nearly 100000 Have Volun-
teered in Less than
Three Months
Drive On for Regulars
National Guard Almost Dou-
bIes Number Since the
Great War Started

Washington. June 24.-Nearly half a
million men have volunteered in the
American army and navy during the
period Of less than three months that
has elapsed since war was declared to
exist. il is claimed here.
The army, navy and National Guard
represented an aggregate strength OF
little more than 100000 men when the
war resolution was adopted. To-day
between 100000 and 100000 are en-
rolled in the various branches OF the
fighting service. and the great major
ity of them are armed, equipped and
under training, asserts the War De-
partment. They will be Joined at the
end Of the summer by more than hall
million men. selected for the new ma
tional army from the ten millions reg
istered for war during June 5.
The regular army totalled a little
more than 100000 men three months
ago; it is nearing the 100000 mark TO-
day. and the War Department officials
backed by the press of the country, are
bending every effort to bring it up to
100000 during the present week.
The National Guard, 10000 strong
when war came, numbers nearly $780,
600 to-day. according to the best esti-
mates available. OF that number near
Is $4,000 actually arc under arms
guarding against German plotters, and
doing the Job in a thorough and sol
diery way, as shown By the trivial dam
age the plottors have been able 70 m-
fict.
Marines To Go to France
The Marine Corps, whose slogan OF
First to Fight" has been respected by
the government in attaching a seasoned
regiment of sea soldiers TO Major Cen
cral Pershing's expeditionary force "a
France The corps has been raised
from 1000 TO nearly 10000 men.
The regular bluejacket force Of the
navy, the men behind the big guns, and
who already are trying their mettle
against the enemy in the waters of Oh
Irish coast under Yice-Admiral Sims
or upon armed American freighters
has been raised from less than $4,000
to 10000. The boys Of the country
have thronge1 to the navy IN such
numbers that training stations could
not be built fast enough 70 accommO-
date them.
An entirely new force Of railway en-
ginoels for duty in France 20 handle
railway problems behind the fighting
lines also has been created. Recruit
.ng figures are not available, but It Is
known that some of the regiments are
now at full strength and ready 70 go
Probably 10000 men have already
Joined these regiments.
Training 10000 New Officers
Forty thousand picked men are under
strenuous training al the officers train
ing camps, insuring good junior officers
for the National Army. Other thou
sands are doing their share az the
Medical Corps and Engineer Corps
training camps, and still others are
with the Naval Coast Defence Reserve
keeping the Atlantic coast free from
the submarine menace and insuring a
clear road for the endless stream Of
cargo carriers which are taking thou
sands of tons of American war supplies
and food 20 the French, Belgian. Brit
ish and Italians, who are holding the
lines against the enemy.
The immediate need, Administration
officials believe, is 10 bring the regular
army up TO its full strength without
delay. These are the first line troops,
the men who will be the first Ameri-
cans to face the German hosts. They
will be the bone and sinew Of General
Pershing's army, and there must be no
DELAY in getting them ready 10 90.
President Wilson has designated the
present week as recruiting week for
the regulars. Secretary Baker has
sought the aid Of all newspapers to the
end that 10000 men shall be enrolled
before June 30.
No explanation of the need for get
ting the men by that time has been
given. but it has been assumed that 10
has TO do with getting forces to Eu-
rope.
Credit Volunteers To States
Brigadier General Mccain, adjutant
general of the army. pointed out again
to-day that under the aclcctlve army
bill every man who volunteers in the
regulars now from any state means
one man less that state VIII De re-
auired 70 furnish in the National Army.
a careful record of the state distribu-
tion Of recruits is being kept for that
purpose.
General Mccain also directed atten-
ton to the fact that. after the second
series of officers training camps has
closed, the only road to promotion will
be from the existing forces. Men IN
the regular regiments will have equal,
Of not better. chances for securing com
missions than men in the National
Guard or the National Army. They will
be Of longer experience and will be the
first sent 20 France.
The War Department had no prelimi-
nary figures as 20 the results of the
first day Of recruiting week yesterday.
They will not come iu lrtl tomorrow.