The Washington times., 1918-12-30

rapid transport. and will be patient
for a reasonable time without at
tempting TO place blame.
Expect 70 BE Political Power.
The soldiers, all letters indicate,
are expecting to be a great political
power in the United States in the
future. They expect to be we'll or
ganized before 1920 along the lines Of
the c. A. R.. which in the years fol-
lowing the civil war practically die
tated party nominees for office. The
soldier comradeship will make for in
dependence in the Organization. and
the Endorsement OF party nominees
who come closest to meeting the
views OF veterans of this war.
The attention being given by big
and little politicians to soldier mat
ters at this time is attributed to let
ters that are coming thick and fast
from all directions. The political
leaders have sensed the feeling of
soldiers against Continuation in serv-
ice, and they are falling into line.
Colonel Roosevelt was among the first
in the country to grasp. the situation.
and has al, once put himself on record
for the earliest possible discontinue
ance of the military duties OF drafted
men.
President Wilson no doubt also un-
derstands the feeling of the men
abroad. He Is close to them and In
touch with military leaders and Amer
ican civilians. There will be no sur
prise shoulcy orders reach the War De-
partment at any moment to expedite
the return of all men in France who
are not to be retained for absolutely
necessary duties
No 4BOIshevism Is Evident.
Letters from abroad point conclu.
sively to the fact that bolshevism and
radical socialism have made no head
way among American soldiers. They
are coming back wiser and abler men,
but with the difference that questions
of humanity win appeal to them more
quickly than ever before. To serve
their country and their fellowmen will
be uppermost in their minds. one SOL
der writes. They have seen and heard
so much of humanity's sufferings as a
result of imperiol militarism and au-
tocracy that they have been softened
and broadened.
When the organization OF veterans
- OhNNNC0 IL WA AANAdNC ali AACu
who wore the American uniform, IL
is stated, with the possibility of an
organization within the first, or afhi-
ated with it, composed of men who
saw foreign service. More than
1000, 900 men were called to the colors
in this country, or were on the point
OF being called. Assuming that all
these men are welded into a sympa-
thetic non-partiSan organization
which will take an active part in
politics in the future, there is a huge
new element the politicians always
must have in mind when making up
their platforms and nominating their
candidates.
No permanent Organization is like
ly to be undertaken, 1t is said, until
most of the men now abroad have re-
turned. Then a call will be issued
for a gathering of representatives to
meet in Washington, or elsewhere, to
take definite steps. Some of the sol
diers favor Washington as the FIRST
meeting place.
1t is stated today by a well-inform-
ed United States Senator that Con-
gress is likely TO enact legislation
soon giving three months extra pay
to all discharged soldiers. This would
be in the nature of a protection fund
against lack of employment until SOL
diers are able to return to work.