New-York tribune., 1919-04-06
New York Women Relatives
of Soldiers Send Word
They Will Make Personal
Plea to Secretary Baker
Wounded Join Campaign
Casuals of 3O5th Infantry
Demand Opportunity for
Relatives to See Fighters

New York must and will have an
official divisional review of the 77th.
It's own National Army unit. Not merely
volunteer affair by few hundreds or
thousands Of men, marching without
arms after discharge, nor a series of
regimental reviews, as suggested by
Secretary Baker, but parade by the
entire division, $1,000 strong, in the
full panoply Of war. just as it was in
France"
This statement was made by officers
of the 77th Division advance guard
yesterday.
From this attitude the city as whole
retreatcd not an inch. Pleas in abate-
ment from the War Department had no
effect, and preparations were continued
for carrying on the fight for COM
plete surrender, with the women of the
division auXiliarics on the main line of
attack at Washington.
General March, the chief of staff
said in statement telegraphed from
Washington last night that with the
best will in the world, the War Depart
ment could do no more than guarantee
parades by units as they arrive from
France.
May Invade Washington
Secretary Baker also amplified his
statement of Friday, after conference
during the day with Senator Wads-
WORTH who declared that if review
of the 77th were matter merely Of
expense, the city would be glad to re-
lieve the government of all obligation.
1t was announced yesterday at the
clubhouse OF the 305th Infantry, 189
Madison Avenue, that unless the War
Department backs down during the
present week a delegation of women,
! representing all the auxiliary associa-
tions Of the division, will invade Wash
ington and remain there until a con-
cession is won. The office of General
March will be pickcted, it is under
stood until he is finally convinced that
the women of New York have their
hearts set on seeing a parade Of the
men they sent to war.
Big Mass Meeting Planned
Mrs. Nelson Henry, wife of the for
mer state Adjutant General, said the
delegation would be sent to Washing
ton in specia! cars. or a fleet of auto
mobiles il necessary, week from to-
day.
Mrs. Hcnry's statement followed the
receipt Of press dispatches from Wash
ington showing that General March
stili felt that d divisional parade would
/ prejudice general dcmobilization plans.
The campaign Of the women will be
launched at meetings of the various
regimental auxiliaries, after which a
general mass meeting will be held This
ls proposed for next Saturday night.
ne delegation Of $50 will be named
then, and will leave for Washington
next day.
Martin Conboy, former draft di-
rector Of New York, who has been
named chairman Of Il committee rep
re;sensing the 189 draft boards Of the
CITY, sent telegram to General March
urging the parade, and wounded mem
bers OF the 305th Infantry the rcgi-
mcnt that never lost IL prisoner to the
Germans during all the fierce Argonnc
fighting, adopted resolutions setting
forth that the men Of the division de
sired parade an Il reward for gallant
service, and, furthermore. that the men
also were aware that their relatives
desired above everything else TO wit
ness II review Of the division lust az it
was i'm the battle zone.
Baker Explains Stand
Secretary Baker is expected here to-
morrow TO embark for France. It is
understood that on his arrival over
gcas he viii exert every cndcavor to
procure the embnrkation Of the division
as unit, 80 that all it's elements NAV
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