The Mena star., 1898-04-13

WASHINGTON, April 12.-A high off, cial of the war department said to-day with reference to the recommittal by the house of the Hull bill for the reor- ganization of the army:
 fact which the national guard, through whose influence the Hull army reorganization pill was defeated last Thursday, appears to have wholly lost sight of is that the law makes the regular army the model for the organiza- tion of the militia when called into active serv- ice, section l6l6, revised statutes, provides that: ''They (the militia) shall be formed by the president into regiments of in- fantry, with the exception of such numbers for cavalry and artillery he may direct, not to exceed the proportion of one company of each of those arms to every regiment Of in- fantry. and to be organized as in the regular service " The antiquated single battalion regi mental formation long ,ince abandoned by all enlightened nations is still the legal organiza- sion of our regular infantry If war were de- carea tomorrow militia caiied forth under the presidents call would have to be organized on this thoroughly obsolete and vicious plan. Hence selfish, no less than patriotic motives. should induce the national guard to work for a law which gives to the regular in- fantry an organization that takes count of the far-reaching changes wrought by modern we" pons of war; That the Hull bill provides such an organization cannot be questioned It gives, moreover, to the com pany a numerical strength Ordinarily not in tended to exceed l55 meu) less than which ex- parience has demonstrated to be unsafe. Everyone who has participated in campaign of any length, whether resulting in actual con- hict with the enemy or not. must have been impressed with the fact that the dwindling down of companies from casualties below a minimum workable size is potent cause of iisintegration and effectiveness For this evil the Hull bill supplies an effective remedy, and the national guard. no less thaa the regular a'my. is deeply concerned in bringing about it's adoption.
 Furnishing the Men for Uncle sam.
 WASHINGTON, April 2--In, anticipa- ion of the possibility of call on the aational guard of the sta zs ands terri
 ories to assist in the national defense in the case of war with Spain Adit. Gen. Corbin, of the army. has compiled a mass of interesting information in connection with the strength of the national guard and the quota each state and territory would be expected so furnish under calls for from 50, 900 to 200, 0J0 men according, first, to the strength of the national guard and, second, according to the population of the different states ana territories. These tables are very complete and show precisely the num- Der of men each state or territory would be expected to furnish under the constitution, regardless of the strength of the national guards organizations in each state and terri tory. It is stated by Adjt. Gen. Corbin that, in case call for troops becomes necessary, it would be based upon the population of the different states. Missouri would be called on for 2, 164; Kansas for 1, 115, and Oklahoma for 56 in an apportionment for 50, 000'men.
 An Air Of Expectancy at the White House.
 WASHINGTON, April 19. With the transfer of responsibility to congress, the white house was we'll nigh de- serted to-day by the usual contingent from the capitol There was an air of expectancy apparent about the white house as to what course the two houses of congress would take. Few public men put in an appearance during the fore noon, but there were great number of sightseers, to whom the public rooms of the mansion were once more thrown open.