New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-01-26
TIONAL GUARDSMEN READl
WILLING TO VOLUNTEER AT ONCE.
ENTHUSIASM AMONG TIE EEcGMrSTo-NUMDtEs

ENTHUSIASM AMONG TIE HEGTMENTr-NUMBtES
AND EQUIPMENT OF TIE FORCE
The martial spirit Of the members Of the National
Guarl has been aroused by the warke news from
Washington Before the eyes Of many citizen
soldier, noatcd visions Of CHILEAN baitlehelda The
men declared themselves eager for the nay. i"'s
gathered IN unusual numbers ut the various aiinoil"'
in the evening and discussed the situation. There Is
no doubt that should President Harrison call io1
volunteers the majority Of tie National Guarl,mcn Of
New York will quickly offer Themselves for service In
Chill But there IS considerable doubt that they would
he allowed 10 leave Ncw-York. 1t seems TO be Iie
opinion Of many men that, should the National Guard
be called into service, II Will be for the protection OF
the harbor and coast about Ncw-iorh.
Major GENERAL Josiah Porter, AdjntantGeneral
y tnc state. in Spending with Tribune
reporter Yesterday, said that It was hardy
probable that the National Guard would be Obliged
Ia do much duty I'm case ~ trouble With the South
American Republic. "Thc President he added. NAV
call FOR volunteer, directly without reference t. the
Governor, 4 the variou staics The members Of the
National Guard may then volunteer their services ~
any Other citizens. but they will g to war not -
National Gdardsmcn but soldiers OF the United
states Army.
Again tho IRE ldcnt may make rrquist)n upon
the Governors .ur cctiin numbers 0i tH"P'
The euaiy.ncn may then also volunteer but the 'oV-
ornOr might not accept their services rs h' might MINK
they would hr necessary ilr tns ufl'''c vi tiN
city and tile mmcdntr surrounding In fact In case
n, war II f. more fan probable that the President
would ask the Governor 81 this stat" Ia occupy the
near hy fort, with the National Guaid. All tho
NATIONAL Guarismcn Of this state could be
easily employed I'm defending th" harbor. \
defence would bc necessary. too, aS tho
CHILEAN navy would doubtless attempt to attack at
all our vulnerable points.
Tho President continued GENERA Porter. has
not the nigh, to send the militia Of the Unitei states
ont lido Of the country, rs | remember. lie has the
light 10 call upon the militia To- suppress rebellion or
repe invasion. The militia might be sent ont of the
state In that case but not out of the country strictly
spending, militia and National Guaidsmcn aFe not
synmymous.'
In telling Of the strength Of the National Guard the
General said that 1t now numbered throughout the
state about 1900 men. OF those between five and
Xxx thousand In this city The former number
included sos artillery, 1850 Infantry. 1oJ cavalry
and 30 In the signal corps There WIS only one troop
Of cavalry In the state and that under the com
mand Of Captain Roe. OF this city. There was also
Naval battalion here ani two Naval hattcrle, In
Rochester. They numbered all told about 80 men,
hut they were without uniform. arms equipments.
But there Is one draw back added the General,
IN the 81 the National Guard OF Til, state and
that Is the fact that they are armed with Remington
rifles calibrc 30, while the United states troops have
springfield rifles. 45calbrr. II Is necessary that all
the troops have tho same rifles, so tNdt tho sdle am
munliion can be served out 10 them. IL is probable.
however, should tho GuardSmcn volunteer. that the
Government would Issue gdns to all Of the soldiers.
When this state Imrc hascd it, 10000 rifle, the United
states had % calibrc guns also but they were soon
changed Tor those OF - callbrc. This calibrc NAV be
changed soon ann. that 1t wound be- useless for Us
Ia try Just now get the regular United states guns
AS to ammunition added General Porter, I'VE
have about 100000 ,OnndS OF cartridges. Iut no
alarm need be felt about ammunition. rs cartridges
can bc tIrncd out rapidly by the factories. There
would b. no delay practically We have ~ stock Ol
medic al supplies and comparatively few tents
The General Of IT, o ttOn that there would be
many volunteers. Many Army officers. citizens and
guard ncn had asked him - remember them, In case
The National Guard should 90 10 the front.
Although Colonel Appleton OF the 1th Regiment
could not be found Yesterday, other members OF ttts
gallant regiment said that almost every man would
offer services IN the President nsked for volun
tcors. The regiment would be glad 10 80 to the front
il necessary.
Colonel Dowd Of the 10Th Regiment OF the
opinion that the majority OF National Guardsmen would
offer their services at once In cnsc 81 war.
We could lave 10000 men within twenty four
hours he added 4" | think could take all the
who were nt camp last summer. about 600. Then
there would be many ex.members Of the regiment vino
would want 10 Join ut also. The In al
most all Of the regiments are in excellent physical
condition at present. Few men would have 10 remain
behind on account OF physical imperfecttonS
The members of other regiments spoke with equal
tl,t.ta I'm