The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1892-01-24
IN CASE OF WAR
The National Guard Conld Only Be Utilized
by It's Members Joining the Regular Army.


by Its Members Joining the Regular Army.
WASHINGTON. Jan. 23.-There was con-
siderable gossip on the streets tonight as
to how this country could increase its
fighting strength in the event of trouble
with Chill. and especially with reference
to tho employment of the National Guard
OF the States. The President can cali out
the entire National Guard to repel
invasion, and he may do almost
the same thing to suppress insur-
rection in any one of the States. the only
exception being the militia of the disturbed
State, but when the service to be rendered
is in other lands then it would be necces-
sary to call for volunteers and. Of course.
all such from the ranks of the
National Guard would receive prefer
ence. In that case they would
have to leave the National Guard and en-
list in the regular army. Senator Hawley,
chairman of the Senate military commit
with Secretary Elkins and Adjutant-
general Kelton with view to securing
remedial legislation If necessary.
A prominent officer of the National Guard
of the District of Columbia. who has made
q special study of the matter. summed up
words: SHOULD there be war with Chill
or any other power the value of the
National Guard would at once be ap-
parent. In round numbers there are
% per- cent msa of shsss would isass vouu.es9 sG
for service abroad. This would mean
that an expeditionary force would be COM
posed largely of men who have received
sufficient training to admit of their being
put i'll the field at once. But the National
Guordjs N naof,, aa. xvnpld hv ~, ,,aon. +. a,,J
at that point. The demand for volunteers
would bring to the front o
vast number of raw -sa.erial, requir-
ing more than q little work to
rendezvous and instruction would have to
be organized and one of those camps would
naturally be located in this city. There
are at least three hundred men here who
could be used as drill instructors. They
would be the best men for such work.
National Guard officers would be the best
men to use in tnstructing recruits.
They could do the work moro thoroughly
and rapidly and enthusiastically than officers
of tho regular army; they understand the
it. Army officers have no experience now
adays with bodies of green mon. Recruits
are sandwiched between old soldiers and
as they are comparatively few, they are
sires war, but should there be one TITO Ma
tional Guard can be depended upon to do
its utmost
The report that Rear Admiral Walker
sailed yesterday from Montcvide0 for Val
Raraiso with the Chicago. Atlantis and
Montevideo is proved by the reception of q
cable message from MIN to-day by Secre.
tary Tracy. In response to cablegram
from the department. inquiring for the
prevailing rates for coal at Montevideo.
Senator Cameron. chairman of the Sem
ate naval committee, who is taking deep
interest in naval preparations. had q con-
ference with Secretary Tracy at the de-
partment to-day. and it is said expressed
his individual approval of the expendi-
lures incurred by the department in its
preparations for a naval demonstration.
Minister Montt to-day had long confer
ence with Secretary Blaine, at the latter's
residence. lasting fully two hours. When the
long walk. Minister Montt Immediate
]y returned to his home. and re.
fused absolutely TO see any one.
but sent down word that he had no news
to give out. Secretary Tracy and other
members of the Cabinet are also inaccessi-
BILE.
In accordance with its custom, the House
committee on naval affairs paid its
annual visit TO the Washington navy-yard
this afternoon, inspected the ordnance.
ships and watched the methods of turning
out the big guns for onr modern-men- ef
war. No significance whatever is to be at.
tached to the visit. as it is clearly q GUS
tom.
The Navy Department Is advised that
work on the armored cruiser New York at
Cramps shIp-yard IS progressing salts
factorily. but that the vessel can hardly be
ready for trial before the 1st of June.
Navy Department. officials who have been
subjected to a systematic course of Ques-
tiOning Dy newspaper correspondents dur
ing the past week in regard to the Chilian
situation and queries about dispatches
| from Commander Evans to-day took much
satisfaction in informing all 1uestioners
that it was impossible for the department
to receive word of news from Valparaiso
as since tho Yorktown has sailed for CallaO
with the refugees 1t had no representative
there. and the place to inquire for news
was at the State Department., where
Minister Egan's dispatches are handled
The Yorktown is not expected to return tO
Valparaiso before the latter part of next
week. The department officials asserted
that nothing had been received from eithe,
Admiral Gherardi or Admiral Walker. and
one high official was SO sure that Admiral
Walker and his squadron had not sailed
from Montevideo that he offered to wage,
5 to on 1t.