The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1918-06-01

The young men who serve In the
Naval Reserve Force are performing O
duty just as patriotic. just as essential
to the final victory Of our arms In this
war, as that performed by the men OF
any other branch of the nations fore.
g."
That Is Lieut.. Commander Truman
H. Newberry's answer in the New
York Evening Mail to the few scoffers
and critics OF the men In the Naval
Reserve.
"oNLY NAVAL RESERVES"
Why does that branch OF the service
attract so many men? Are they draft
dodgers? Do they fear service at the
front In France? Do they seek to
enter q branch which will keep them
near home?
These are the questions which the
military editor OF The Evening Mail
put to Commander Newberry. COM
mandant of the Naval Reserve Force
In the third district
Only a few days ago two blue jack
cts sat in conversation In Broadway
subway train. At Forty .second street
two soldiers entered. After whisp-
cred conversation and frequent glances
at the sailormen, one OF the soldiers
bent down to read the gilt lettering on
the jackies' hats.
"Only Naval Reserve guys" he
sneered.
1t wasn't the first time the military
editor had seen that sneer. Among
civilians, as we'll as among men in
uniform, the same attitude toward the
reservists has been noticed. So he
sought out Commander Newberry and
asked for comment.
"You say there seems to be a tend
ency to belittle service In the reserve
force? There is no reason for it,"
declared Commander Newberry
Among soldiers and sailors there Is
always q friendly bantering. Some
times 1t is not friendly. But it is never
serious.
THOUSANDS lover THERE"
"As for civilians, their attitude may
be attributed to lack OF information.
II is true that originally the reserve
recruited men for coast patrol duty.
Do they know that the larger part OF
the force is now serving at sea, In
foreign waters, side by side with tho
men of the regular navy, or training at
the great naval stations for active SER
vice,
"More--do they know that men are
being accepted for general service,
which means they may be assigned
anywhere, on any ship Of the navy. at
the discretion Of the navy depart.
ment!
Surely these lads are entitled to as
much credit az the men of other
branches. And they have reason to be
as Irou6 Of their uniforms as the men
in olive drab or forest green are OF
theirs.
ALL SERVING NATION.
Every man who wears an American
uniform isCserving the nation-in
whatever capacity he is enlisted. And
those who volunteered for the Naval
Reserve Force. because service on
the sea appealed to them, are serving
Just where they belong.
an April last year. when the United
States entered the war. the only class
open for non-seagoing men was class
four. Since July 1, 1917, however, all
men in this class have volunteered for
general service, and no men VIII be
accepted now unless they volunteer
for general service.
Another thing. In common with
some other nations America has never
realized the important role Of Its navy
in warfare. But you may be sure that
when this war has been finally won,
the United States Navy will have play
ed an essential part In the great VIC
tory. That will be task for the his
torIans, and they will not begin their
work until peace comes. So we'll
have to wait. But the navy's page
in that history will be brilliant one!"
And there you have the commanders
answer.
Incidentally. Commander Newberry
is head OF family which has register
ed 100 per cent, perfect In this war.
He gave up large business In Mich.-
gan to answer the Presidents call.
Mrs. Newberry is president of the
Needle Work Guild OF America, which
is devoting Its entire strength to Red
Cross work. Their twin boys, Barnes
and Phelps. are on active service.
Barnes is an ensign In the navy, on
duty somewhere on the Atlantic, and
Phelps Is a major in the aviation sec
tion Of the army.
NewsERRv KNOWS THE NAVY.
The commanders record includes ac-
tive participation In two wars. He
Was Secretary Of the Navy In Presi-