Evening star., 1896-04-07
F ENClBLES PROTEST
>saF the Galveston Cup Should Not Be
Competed For.
Savannah Drill Management Has Bar.
red Independent Companics-The
Drill Regulations as Issued.

1t is probable that all will not be plain
sailing at the Savannah interstate competi-
tive drill to be held May 11-16. and in
which several companies of the District
of Columbia National Guard are deeply in
terested. The difficulty. it is expected, will
be the outcome of determined action on the
part Of the National Fencibles of this city
to prevent the placing of the Galveston
semi-centennial championship cup, which
carries with 1t the title of champion military
company Of the United States, in competi-
tion at the coming military contest.
The management of the Savannah drill
has announced that only companies regu-
lariy enlisted in the National Guard will be
permitted to engage in it's competitions,
reaching this conclusion, probably, in view
OF the ruling of the commanding general OF
the District National Guard that hereafter
companies of the local brigade will not be
granted permission to leave the District for
the purpose Of participating in interstate
drills open to independent" companies. OF
course, being an independent company, the
National Fencibles are therefore shut out
of the Savannah contest. --rs
Strenuous efforts are being made to have
the Galveston cup as trophy at Savannah,
and all reports indicate that Adjutant Cen
eral Mabry of Texas, the custodian of the
cup, viii direct that it be sent to the Georgia
city Tor the purpose mentioned. The cup is
now In the possession Of the Thurston Rifles
OF Omaha. Neb., having been won by that
organization at Memphis last May. The
Ihurstons have decided not to journey to
Savannah, but that fact will not prevent the
placing of the cup in competition AS is
we'll known. for several years the Galveston
cup was held by the National Fencibles, who
lost II 10 the Thurston Rifles, at Memphis.
Fenciblcs Protest.
As stated, the cup will not be drilled for
at Savannah, if it is within the power of
the National Fencibles to prevent it. I'VE
have not word to say regarding the ac-
tor of the Savannah drill management in
barring u.s. said Capt. Domer of the Fen
cibles to a Star reporter this afternoon.
THAT is matter entirely within the dis
cretion of the projectors Of the drill, but
we have something to say Us to whether or
not the contest shall be for the champion
ship of the United States. For several
years we held that cup, and in competing
for It drilled against Independent compa-
MES. The cup was presented by the people
OF Galveston, Tex, and placed under the
direction of the adjutant general of Tex IS
as trustee, but with certain stipulat:ons.
The rules provide most distinctly that the
cup shall he drilled for by all white volun-
teer military companies of the United
States. and make no reference whatsoever
to the National Guard. I think it is very
plain that the adjutant general of Texas
mas no discretion in the matter of chang
has no say whether independent companies
shall drill for the cup or not. After hold
ing the cLp. as We have done, we tlo not
propose to see it awarded at an interstate
drill unless We have had try for it's pos
session. We intend that the Galveston cup
shall not be drilled for except in SUCH drills
as the National Fencibies are permitted to
enter. If necessary in carrying out our
idea we VIII appeal to the courts, and ap-
ply for writ of injunction to prevent the
adjutant general of Texas directing that
the cup be placed IN competition at Savan-
rah."
Drill Regulations.
The dill management at Savannah has
issued circular to all companies who ex-
pect. to enter the interstate drills. 1t says
they will undertake to secure sponsors for
any company expecting to enter these con-
tests which may desire them.
The circular also prescribes the time
which each company will be allowed in
these drills. Each company will be allow
ed forty-five minutes for the close order
drill and thirty minutes for the extended
order drill. Sufficient time will be allowed
between these two drills for the men to
change their uniforms, and while the
change is being made another company will
take up the close order drill. The tactics
used will be those adopted October 5, 1Sn
The military committee has made some
the zouave drill. 1t was provided that
credit should be given for extra officers
and men, but this provision has been
stricken out, and ii has been decided to
confine the conditions to sixteen men, two
guides and two officers.