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Show INCREASED STRENGTH FOR MARINES ASKED WASHINGTON, Dec. 19. A recital of the great fighting of the marine corps at Eelleau woods and elsewhere was Siven the house naval committee today by Major General Barnett, commandant of the corps, in explaining the program for i the future strength of this branch of the . service. ! "The account of the marines in France," he said, "forms a story of almost al-most continuous fighting from Chateau ! Thierry to where they helped break tho ' German line at Sedan." j General Barnett said that in tho work of occupation abroad and in many other activities more marines would be needed. He urged - immediate legislation to increase in-crease tbe corps' permanent authorized strength from 17.000 to 33,126 men. Secretary Sec-retary Daniels, he explained, was prepared pre-pared to approve an Increase only to 26,-300. 26,-300. Transfer of temporary officers to the t permanent marine corps' roll, General Barnett said, had not yet been arranged, and for that reason, especially, he asked congress to' fix the corps' strength at this session. |