New York Times Current History: The European War from the Beginning to March 1915, Vol 1, No. 2: Who Began the War, and Why?Various
History
New York Times Current History: The European War from the Beginning to March 1915, Vol 1, No. 2: Who Began the War, and Why?
Various
World War, 1914-1918
Mobilization was ordered on the 4th of August; immediately afterward
Lord Kitchener issued his call for 100,000 recruits for the regular
army, which has been followed by a second call for another 100,000. The
response up to today gives us between 250,000 and 300,000. [Cheers.] I
am glad to say that London has done its share. The total number of
Londoners accepted is not less than 42,000. [Cheers.] I need hardly say
that that appeal involves no disparagement or discouragement of the
territorial force. The number of units in that force who have
volunteered for foreign service is most satisfactory and grows every
day. We look to them with confidence to increase their numbers, to
perfect their organization and training, and to play efficiently the
part which has always been assigned to them, both offensive and
defensive, in the military system of the empire. But to go back to the
expansion of the regular army. We want more men--men of the best
fighting quality, and if for a moment the number who offer themselves
and are accepted should prove to be in excess of those who can at once
be adequately trained and equipped, do not let them doubt that prompt
provision will be made for the incorporation of all willing and able
men in the fighting forces of the kingdom. We want, first of all, men,
and we shall endeavor to secure them. Men desiring to serve together
shall, wherever possible, be allotted to the same regiment or corps. The
raising of battalions by counties or municipalities with this object
will be in every way encouraged. But we want not less urgently a larger
supply of ex-non-commissioned officers, and the pick of the men with
whom in past days they served, men, therefore, whom in most cases we
shall be asking to give up regular employment and to return to the work
of the State, which they alone are competent to do. The appeal we make
is addressed quite as much to their employers as to the men themselves.
The men ought to be absolutely assured of reinstatement in their
business at the end of the war. [Cheers.] Finally, there are numbers of
commissioned officers now in retirement who are much experienced in the
handling of troops and have served their country in the past. Let them
come forward, too, and show their willingness, if need be, to train
bodies of men for whom at the moment no cadre or unit can be found.
Abundant Ground for Pride and Confidence.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account