The Roanoke times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1897-1977, 1897-12-01

is estimated that 20 per cent of the militia
is retired each year, and that there are as
many cX-mllltiaIncn as there are guards
men i'll nctivc service Many of these men
would return to the ranks ut once. They
are all well drilled and lack only equip
mcnt. Probably the war department
would Immediately take possession of all
gun and cartridge factories and run them
night ANA day. The other supplies could
he secured without trouble.
The national guard numbers mt present
l,OoU These men are by no means the
tin soldiers" which they have been slight
ingly dubbed. 1t is true that they are not
held III high esteem by some army officers,
but this counts for nothing. They know
now to handle their arms and obey orders.
That their valor has never been demon
stratcd is no sign that it is lacking They
have not shown their mcttlc because they
have not had Il chance, but for this reason
they are most anxious to do So When the
civil war broke out tho militia was snecrcd
at inst as 1t is to-day, yet the national
guard regiments were noted for gallantry
all through the war.
New York and Pennsylvania s national
guard would be the first to he called upon.
as they can be more readily concentrated
than those of any other states. With the
recruits which would naturally come from
tho former militiamcn these two common
wea!ths would furnish nearly 10, 900 trooDs.
The invading force would be hurried to
the waiting transports. and tho cmbarka-
ton would proceed with all possible swift
ness. In their equipment Il new feature OF
modern warfare would be put in evidence
for the first time. Along with the heavy
Held artillery would go bicycles and light
machine guns. Both of these General
Miles looks upon us most valuable addi-
TONS to an army, and the many bicycle
squads which have been organized in the
various militia companies would probably
be collected and formed into Il regiment OF
lying infantry, which could be moved
across the country with amazing swift
ness.
while the invading force was getting
under way there would be a simultaneous
movement of the national gunrd from tho
interior to the coast The troops in tho
New England states, for instance would
he mhsscd at Portland, Portsmouth, Dos.
ton and New London. 10 New York and
Philadelphia would be sent the troops from
tho upper tier of western states. and to the
defense of the Potomac, the Chesapeake
ana Hampton Roads those OF the southern
states.
The young men who had never INDUCED
III anything more martial than an annual
week at the state camp or an occasional
parade would soon he doing the real work
oi soldiers. Those who sailed in the troop
SHIPS would probably smell gjnpowdcr
quickest. for the plan would probably he 10
JON forces with the Insurgents and march
on Havana. Those who were scEt TO the
scahoard would be detailed 10 man the coast
InrtilichtionS and would receive training
IN the handling of Zig guns. Tho naval
reserves would be pressed into service on
'hc mesquite torpedo fleet. Altogether it
would be Il busy and exciting period for
everybody, and stain might not find us
a. unprcparcd for war rs we apparently
are When the dons take Uncle SANS
measure, they should not forget that hs
has the national guard up his sleeve.
:. Il. MACDCNALD