OCR Text |
Show HII1ICIS II ARMY OF MHO REMAIN War Department Decides ctn Rules Governing Transfer Trans-fer of Such Soldiers. LONDON, Jan. 4. The Associated Press has received information that the ! American war department has decided on rules governing the transfer of Americans Ameri-cans serving- with the British forces to the American army, by which thrir present pres-ent status will not be disturbed except in special cases and where the transfer "is plainiv in the interest of the United Stales." i This decision, it is said, was reached ' on the following grounds: 1 First That Americans who enlisted with the British forces must have been prompted by patriotic motives to do so and that, therefore, it noes not matter whether they remain British or are transferred trans-ferred to their own flag, since they would be fighting for the same cause. Second In some cases, particularly with the Canadians, many of whom are Americans, transfer might seriously disorganize dis-organize units. While no otlicial statistics are available. It is fair to guess that there are at least from 25,000 to 30,000 Americans in the Canadian forces alone and perhaps half as many more scattered throughout other British contingent in France, Mesopotamia, Mesopo-tamia, Palestine and elsewhere. In many instances, it is pointed out, the desires for transfers are not prompted by patriotism, hut because of the chance to enjoy greater benefits and the higher pay of the American forces. The authorities authori-ties argue that if in the first instance the men joined the British army "to light for principle," the principle is not. changed if they remain with the British forces. Hence it has ben decided that an officer in the British army who is an American and desires a transfer must apply to the embassy in London, which will be guided In the premises by instructions from the war department at "Washington. The rules adopted say that "if will not be the general policy of the war department depart-ment to request the release of an American Ameri-can holding a commission in a foreign service." Regarding enlisted men, the new rules say that release will only be considered of applicants who present themselves personally to the military attache at-tache of the American embassy in London with satisfactory 'documentary evidence of citizenship, and that the military attache at-tache "may then, in special cases, ask for release." The rules add: "When so released men are to proceed pro-ceed to France at their own expense and report for enlistment in our service to the headquarters of the American expeditionary expedition-ary force." The rules provide that an enlisted man must also procure from the commander of his unit of the British forces a written recommendation that the commander regards re-gards his transfer to the American forces "In the Interests of the United States." |