The San Francisco call., 1896-01-23

for the field in the event of war. The tota
number of men in the available force
the regimental subdivisions, if any, anc
the streng tn of such regiments, particu,
larlv the strength of companies, character
and condition of cqu ipments and host O
other features OF the soldierIy makeup
were all enumerat ed and answers re-
gu ested.
The ad iutant-generals department wa.
shaken up considerably in the inner pre-
cincts wnen the ominous message wa.
opened. Governor Budd immediately in
formed the officials in charge OF the Sacra
mento military office and ordered that
they get together at once and determine
the coEdltion of the Guard as indicated
from the latest reports received from
brigade and regimental stations through.
out the State. The available generals were
sent for and the States council of war
went to work. There was a good bit o1
figuring done, because the War Depart
ment did not merely want to know how
many soldiers California has, but how
many the State courd spare and still leave
an effective force for the protection OF
: things at home.
During the consultation the strictest
measures were taken that nothing should
leak out about the nature of the moment
Gus business. The War Depa rtment init
mated in the communication that nothing
OF the affair should be divulged. The de-
partment wished to secure the information
without the knowledge of military men
excepting those IN the very hig chest places,
and particularly was the n after TO be ke pt
from the general public. Had it not hap
pened that the news came to this CITY
from an authoritative but unofficial source
yesterday II might yet have been q secret.
Alter considerable discussion the Gov
ernor and the few officers with him de-
clded that twenty companies could be
furnished to the National Government
Immediately. In case, however, that the
troops were required within forty-eight
hours the commanding officers would re-
quire an authorization 10 draw upon the
quartermaster's department at the Pre-
sldlo for haversacks and canteens.
As far as other equipments, tentage and
appurtenances necessary for field service
are concerned, the State force is we'll
enough supplied. The Acknowledgement
estimated that this available force would
mum Der about 2050 men, which means that
each of the twenty companies would have
membership-roll of 100 names and also
nave the full complement of officers. This
was the gist of the message wired to the
Secretary OF War on Tuesday by Governor
Budd and Adjutant- General Barrett.
1t only took few hours yesterday for
the news to get around among the officers
In town. There were all sorts of rumors
abroad about the efficiency of the force, or
the lack of it, and speculation upon the
sort of work to which the State troops
would be assigned. While the in
quiry is known to be only one
OF the large number sent around the
country, it has, nevertheless, stirred the
National Guard people to action already.
Captain Darlington, the inspector sent here
by the War Department to remain perma-
nentiy with the National Guard of the
State, has already left Oh an extended tour
OF inspection throughout the State. 1t is
declared in military circles that number
OF companies will be mustered out before
the inspection is concluded. 1t will be
the most rigid overhauiing the service
ever experienced, and the first time in its
history that the entire work will have
been done by one inspector.