The Washington herald., 1921-02-11
Representatives to Force
Fight Today for Nee
essary Money.
FEAR ELIMINATION
OF 9Th REGIMENT
Organization Thrice Hon.
ored by French Soon May
Be Memory.
By LOWELL MELLETT.

The U. s. Martnes-not for the
first time in their history-are fac
ing a fight, today.
1t will be a fight unusual in their
else will do their battling for them.
A group of Representatives will
make war in the House on a bill
which they believe threatens almost
to legislate the Marines out OF ex-
istence. 1t seems almost certain, in
any event, to end the career of the
famous Sixth regiment.
The bill is the naval approprla-
tions bill, which now includes an
item of S26,OOO,0oO for the Marine
Corps. At an expense of $500 per
man. this will care for less than
IS. 900. The Naval Affairs Committee
proposes that it shall care for 90
900, at 81 800 each. The cost per man
for the regular army is about
81, 800. The Representatives pre-
pared to make the fight urge that
it is absurd to expect the Marines
to be maintained for 81 900 less per
man than the men OF the regular
army. Oficers of the Marine Corps
say they can undertake to carry on
as they have in the past If given
$500 per man.
Say Limiting Is Fatal.
However, the marines declare
that limiting theeir numbers to
10000 will be fatal. The present
strength, regarded as inadequate, is
%, 900. OF these 10000 are scattered
al he TTnffaH GtafaS nd tho
Of the world on duty. The other
5000 are in training camp at Guam
ttico, Va. They are being trained to
fill the holes in the ranks made by
regular discharges, month in and
month out, which keeps 10 per cent
OF the corps strength always in
transit, going to- and from foreign
stations Last June Congress au-
thorized a permanent strength Of
$1,000 for the Marine Corps, but ap-
propriated money enough for only
10000, belieying it would be ippos-
sible to recruit the corps up to q
higher figure. Following demobtli-
zation after the war the corps had
! dropped to $4,000 men. and 10000
/ looked like an optimistic figure. Re
enlistments occurred in such great
numbers and the service has proved
! so attractive to young men gener-
ally, it is said, that it has become
, apparent that 27,o0T - the mark
originally set as the necessary num-
/ ber-easily can be reached. -
I The two regiments most vitality
| affected hy the present situation are
/ the famous Fifth and Sixth Marines
! hcroes of Belleau Wood, Scissors
/ and Blanc Mont. cited three times
/ by the French army. OF all the
! American troops who went tC
/ France only two other regiments
! were awarded the fOurFagere, tn,
highest regimental honor bestoweG
/ by the French government. The
| decoration-a braided green core
worn about the shoulder-remain!
with the regiment 50 long as tn,
| regiment exists. All men takeI
! into the regiment are permitted t.
! wear it so long as they remain IL
! the regiment. Men who participated
! in the battles for which the citation
was made by Gen. Foch, retain tn,
! fourragere while they live, but mos
! of these men are dead.
! Only Few mt Quantico.
The Fifth Marines casualties il
| France were 5,O53 men and l73 Off
GERS; the Sixth Marines, 6,O67 mel
and 152 officers. The Fifth regi
ment, now recruited up close to full
! strength, will be cut seriously i
the corps is limited to 10000 men
! the Sixth will be wiped out alto
/, gether. only a few hundred meI
! will he left at Quanti"U.
What the valor of these two regi.
ments means to the Marines is illus
trated by plans now going forwar,
! at Quantico. Quantico is a camI
of frame buildings, little adorned
but made tight and comfortable b,
the efforts OF the men themselves
Recently an ambitious plan wa,
CONTINUED ON PAGE TWO.