The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-12-24
TOPEKA STATE JOURNAL
INFORM ALTON
BUREAU
MARINES STILL BUSY.
.EDER1c ;. HAsKIN. Dire
Washington. d. C

close of the war is bringing to the
United States marines a bigger job
than the war itself brought them"
says Col. A. S. McLemore. com
mandant of the marine corps head
quarters at Washington. Chaos and
uncertainty in Germany and Russia,
and possibly at the naval bases of de-
feated countries will, the marine
corps officers believe. require the at
tention of our international police for
some time.
: BESIDES" adds Colonel McLemore.
some people say that the marines
will have the job rolling up all the
barbed wire on the western front"
This is a cheerful way OF saying
that they may be requested to assume
the part of whitewings as well as
that of traffic cops.
The marines are ready for anything.
At present, those in this country have
one grievance. They are grumbling
because the excitement is over, and
unless something is going to be started
for their benefit pretty soon, they
want to be discharged.
There is still the possibility that
some of the marines and soldiers who
took the full course in Fighting Up
to-Date," given by the United States
government, and were about to be sent
across for a postgraduate course
when fighting stopped. may be sent
over anyway, and others who have
seen service returned. This would
give the men in this country a chance
to put some of their military training
to use. while those who have taken
part in the fighting would be sent
home much sooner. Authority to do
this would rest with the secretary of
war. who has charge of the affairs of
those marines who had been brig
AIDED with United States soldiers for
land service abroad. AS yet, Colonel
HH.T =, I.<- L. =
tons to prepare for this step.
The secretary of the navy's esti-
mate for the marine corps on a per-
manent peace basis is $4,000 men.
But while Europe is in its present
unsettled condition, extensive policing
is inevitable. 1t is also inevita BILE that
a large share of this garrison duty
should fall to the marines, who have
always considered policing Their spec
ial work.
For this reason there will be no
general rehabilitation of the marine
corps. Secretary Daniels has recon-
menced that it be kept at almost full
strength during the coming year, and
that provision be made for 10000
men, which is approximately the num-
Der now In service. At the same time
orders have been given to grant dis
charges to not more than twenty per
cent OF the men, on presentation of
The loss of men by individual dis
charge will be made up by enlistment.
About twenty men are now being en-
listed a day. and later a recruiting
campaign will be started. 1t is worthy
of note that the corps expects to drop
it's wartime policy of attracting re-
crutts by posters and notices spread
broadcast, and will return to what it
terms more dignified methods"
which means a two-inch announce
MI t1f in hn 40,
Sign outside the recruiting tent.
Enlisted men will still be favored
as applicants for commissions. Four
hundred and thirty marines have just
been graduated at the marine officers
training school at Quantico. Virginia,
and a. new class will be admitted in
January.
The 2s6 women marines now on the
payroll will be retained in service so
long as needed: The marine corps
has proved itself the most democratic
branch of our fighting service by en-
listing girls on an equal, status with
men. without reservation. That is,
they were enlisted for any duty they
might be called upon to perform. So
far, none have baked at any orders
of their commanding officers. The
term "marinette" describing the ma
fines' girl clerks has been given q
death blow by Colonel McLemore,
who declared himself in favor of the
w OIIdA w oman
marines they are therefore called
especially in the coloners vicinity.
The war career of the $4,000 U. 8.
marines sent overseas is we'll known.
The casualties are estimated by GEN
| eral Barnett at 10000. which is the
most significant fact as to the part
| the marines played in actual fighting.
November 10, the last day of the war,
found the marines throwing a bridge
across the Meuse and advancing over
it, when the order came to cease fir
| ing. Only tho sick and wounded
members of the corps have been sent
| home.
Concerning his exploits in the war,
| the typical marine is singuarly tact
| turn. 1.-THE Germans were there, and
we were there, and there wasn't room
for US both, so the Germans got out, !"
I is the gist of his narrative of his war
experiences. About the adventures of
his buddy he is not usually SO re-
! ticent, and he will recount exciting
| tales of how Jim and another fellow,
| (Who may have been himself,) got
| leave and went out on q prisoner hunt.
This was the favorite game Of the
marines Two men would obtain
leave from the line and sneak out
| together to obtain a Fritz or twA All
sorts of dcccys and tricks were en-
| ployed, from the old method of two
| men trying to act like company to
| Turing the picked quarry by brides or
| dares -
The corps attributes some of its
| "devil-dog" spirit to attitude of the
| officers toward the enlisted men. The
| major. general commandant takes a
personal interest in every marine. An
| example of this. and of marine char
acter as well, is the story of a marine
who failed when he enlisted to an
swer yes to the question of his loyalty
| toward the United States. The omis-
sion was not noticed. The marine
I went across, took part in fighting. and
was wounded. While in the hospital.
he remembered that he had never
| sworn loyalty to the United States.
and wrote a letter to the marine corps
headquarters. apologizing for not an
swerinS the question. Major General
! Barnett wrote him a personal letter