From the News

Dated: January 29, 1916

Americans have contributed a Regiment - the 97th - to the Canadian Army. This article by a Canadian Correspondent, tells why they do not lose their Nationality.

America has maintained her neutrality, but five hundred American citizens have already declared war on the Kaiser, and for that purpose have enlisted in the Canadian Overseas Force and sworn allegiance to King George of England. The American Legion (authorised as the 97th Regiment) now being formed in Toronto is made up entirely of American-born men. Its commander, Lieut.-Colonel A. B. Clarke, is an officer of the United States Militia, and his staff is also composed of American army officers, while among the rank and file are men who have seen active service in Cuba and Mexico. A few are, doubtless, soldiers of fortune, but the bulk of those who have crossed the line have done so out of a desire to help a good cause, and are impatient with the "too proud to fight" attitude.

Ever since the sinking of the Lusitania Americans have been shedding their neutrality, and with each submarine atrocity the fighting spirit has become more evident. One fine young recruit for the Legion, who had just arrived from New Jersey, speaking to me of the feeling of his countrymen in regard to the war, said: "All Americans are pro-Allies. There is no such thing as a German-American; we call them just 'Germans.' I have come over because I felt it my duty to do something toward the crushing of a Power that could ruthlessly slaughter women and children, and there are many more like me who are itching to get into it."

The question has been discussed among the men as to their status as American citizens after the war, and it has been argued that by swearing allegiance to a foreign and belligerent monarch an American not only breaks his neutrality, but is expatriated. But the oath taken by members of the Legion does not make them British subjects or Canadian citizens, as it is a conditional oath. The men enlist in the service of the King for the period of the war and for six months afterwards. At the end of this period they are still American subjects. One of the officers in the American Legion is the son of a United States Judge, who has given his legal views on the question, and says that his son is still a citizen of the United States serving King George for a special purpose. A charter has been taken out forming the battalion into a limited company. This will safeguard the citizenship of its members in case of disputes arising after the war. But there are already many American-born troops distributed throughout the various Canadian battalions in training.

One interesting feature in the uniform of the American legion is the bronze badge on the cap. This is formed of the Canadian maple leaf withthe coat of arms of the Washington family embossed on the centre, with the number of the Regiment, "97," in bold figures on the shield. This makes a very beautiful combination badge, and typifies the union of two North American nations in a great cause. It will be one of the most unique souvenirs of the war. The badge was designed by the Battalion Chaplain, Captain C. S. Bullock. There were so many American parsons applying for the position of chaplain with the Legion that it was said that they could have raised a Legion of American ministers.