100 years ago in The Saratogian
Wednesday, April 18, 1917
Saratoga Springs’ part in America’s war against Germany “may be relatively small, but what there is of it will be performed with thoroughness, willingness and loyalty,” The Saratogian reports.
The U.S. declared war on Germany on April 6. Tonight, 75 Saratogians meet at the city armory to “start this community’s participation in the work of helping the nation to a successful completion of the war.” Dr. Albert Warren Ferris chairs the meeting, which is mainly concerned with the creation of committees “to treat the various phases of home defense that may be expected to confront this community during the war.
“There were committees appointed on police and police resources, map making, deputy sheriffs, mobilization and concentration camps, horses and remount stations, provision of uniforms, supplies, etc., tactical walks, commissary, motor transportation, farm bureau and agriculture, aliens and secret service, religious cooperation, home defense, recruiting, enumeration of drivers and chauffeurs, care of families of enlisted men and medical work and hospitals.”
Michael J. Mulqueen is named chairman of the subcommittee on mobilization and concentration camps. The term “concentration camp” doesn’t yet have the genocidal connotation it will acquire during the next world war.
Troy Methodist conference
Meeting in Saratoga Springs this morning, the Troy Methodist Conference unanimously adopts resolutions declaring the clergy’s support for President Woodrow Wilson and the U.S. war effort.
“We pledge our utmost loyalty and absolute service to [the President] and to the land which we love,” one resolution reads, “and stand ready to co-operate in every possible way to further the cause in which we are all united.
While the Methodists “deplore war for war’s sake,” they “cheerfully accept the challenge of war for humanity’s sake, and our strength and all our powers are at the service of the chosen leader of our nation.”
Enlistments
Of eleven Saratoga Springs who’ve volunteered to join the U.S. Navy since the outbreak of war, only three have been accepted, The Saratogian reports.
Seven volunteers failed to pass the required physical exam. Carl W. Robbins passed the exam but has decided to join the Army reserve engineers instead. The men accepted by the Navy are Herbert R. Carragan, Irving de Cady and Arthur H. Wilhelm.
“In recognition of the fact that they stood ready to serve their country when they were needed,” the seven rejects will receive buttons identifying them as “men who have honorably attempted to enlist and have been rejected.”
On today’s editorial page The Saratogian argues that a military draft would be a “more intelligent, humane and effective” way to build up the U.S. military.