Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1918-08-28
The Delaware Regiment.

The very interesting correspondence
between Representative Albert +. Poik
of Delaware and Secretary of War Baker
printed yesterday. IN respect OF the
situation of the Delaware Regiment IN
the National Army service, throws much
light upon a condition that has been un-
satisfactory and irritating TO the people
of Delaware for several months. The
continuance Of the regiment IN Compara-
tive inactivity in camp service, instead OF
it's dispatch abroad 10 take part in actual
field service, was something our people
could not understand, and now, thanks
to the action Of Representative Polk IN
going right 10 headquarters for positive
information. the situation IS materially
cleared. We arc now assured that before
long the regiment will be sent abroad for
active service in the field.
At the beginning Of our participation
in the war ii was only natural our people
should express a desire that the old FIRST
Delaware Regiment. then comprising the
National Guard Of the State, should pre-
serve its identity 50 that the State
should share in tho credit Of its per-
formanccS. But this dad not meet the
approval Of the War Department, or 1T
in with the scheme Of constructing army
units for service abroad The plan adopt
ed was 10 abandon State organizations
and construc the army elements with
soldiers taken from ali parts Of the coun-
try. Against this manifest purpose to
absorb the Delaware Regiment INTO
other organizations, in a manner that
would have sacrificed its distinctive
identity. our people naturally protested
Our Senators and Representatives in
Congress put up fight and succeeded IN
having the Delaware contingent exempt
ed from the general form Of reorganiza-
ton But following this exemption came
It's long period Of inactivity in camp duty
a condition even moro unsatisfactory 10
our people.
What influences led TO this situation are
still mystery, but not one that cannot be
solved to a considerable extent. Repre-
sentative Polk, in his letter 10 Secretary
of War Baker, made clear some OF the
considerations involved, and although
Secretary Baker, IN his reply, denied that
the War Department had been actuated
by any spiteful feelings Of anger at being
overrlIled in the original purpose 10
swallow the Delaware Regiment in other
al
gether clear in this respect. The impress
sion will remain that this feeling was to
considerable measure responsible for keep
ing the Delaware Regiment 50 long in
state of inactivity.
No doubt it would have been better
had there been, in the first instance. a
clear explanation Of the reason for the
War Department action in disregarding
State regimental units and dissolving
them generally throughout the complete
army reorganization There has been no
official public explanation to this day,
but there is no doubt the people now have
a comprehension of at least one potent
reason for adopting TINS plan. The
publication of the daily lists of casualties
give clear intination.
These lists of themselves are significant.
The casualties cover the entire country,
from Maine to Arizona and from Oregon
10 Florida Now, suppose the regimental
units had been maintained. Think OF how
many communities would have been
narrowed by heavy casualty record in
regiments formed among them. For
instance, suppose the Delaware Regiment
had been sent abroad a. formed, and IN
tact had been sent INTO sanguinary en-
gagement. The resultant casualties might
have been such as 10 carry overwhelming
sorrow and grief 20 every part Of our
State
However. there is assurance that our
regiment is soon to bc sent abroad for
active service That i will give good
account Of itself is a certainty.