Evening star., 1898-03-12
Advantages of Sea Girt as a Camping
Place.
new EXPERIENCE WILL Be GAINED
Status of the Guard in the Event of
War.
USE OF CARRIER PIGEONS

remains to be decided is i'm reference to the
date of going into camp. Nothing can be
done in that direction, however until the
New Jersey officials reach a conclusion
covering the period of the encampment of
the New Jersey troops. AS heretofore
stated, the understanding is that the Jer-
seymen Will finally break camp early in
August and that the organized militia OF
the District will take possession of the
camp grounds Immediately thereafter.
The suggestion has been made, in view
of the probability that the brigade will be
represented by team at the next annual
meeting of the New Jersey State Rifle As
sociation, that the date for the camp be
fixed that the outing will terminate
within day or two of the day set for
the opening of the rifle meeting. August -.
The statement is made by those interested
that unless the camp and the rlne meeting
are contiguous, il Will be impossible to hold
the members of the rifle team at Sea Girt
in the interim between the close of the
camp and the opening of the shoot
In reply to This suggestion it may be
stated that in the very likely event that
the brigade does enter a team in the rifle
matches, the members of that team will be
excused from participating in the encamp-
ment-
Only One Objection Heard.
Only one objection has been heard in ref
eISllCS u tHe pIOpoSltiOH 10 nOiu t0t next
camp at Sea Girt, and that does not ema-
nate from one connected with the organ
lied militia, but from an individual said
to be a Washington business man. His
complaint is to the effect that it hardly
seems the proper thing to take the brigade
so far away from the District of Column
bia that its work in camp cannot be OBJ
served by the local taxpayers with con-
Venience.
A a ha lor of,lI
6erstood that the outing to be taken next
August will constitute camp of lnStIuc-
tiCn- 1t is not by any means in the nature
of a pleasure trip, and, therefore, the fever
the number OF visitors the better. The
guardSmen spend ten days under canvas
to put in the greatest possible amount of
hard work-work that is not possible in the
arnory. Large numbers of visitors to
camp, it has been found, interfere to a
considerable extent with the work that it
is desired should be accomplished. Another
important FACTOR in favor of Sea Girt is
that there is no suitable camp ground
available in the vicinity of this city, il
being Impossible to again obtain permis-
sion from the War Department to make
use OF the government reservation at Fort
Washington for such purpose. In order to
put any stretch of ground that might be
selected IN this vicinity in proper condi-
tiOn would require the expenditure of a
large sum Of money. Furthermore. an out
lay of ABOUT $1,000 would have to be made
ON the other hand, Sea Girt is an estab-
Hsned camp ground. a water system is in
operation. and everything in the way of
mess sheds and stable facilities is on
hand. 1t will not be necessary. in going
into camp, to transport from this city
pound of camp eQuipage. Should the camp
be held here, the hauling OF tons and tons
of tents and like paraphernaia would be
required.
An important feature in connection with
The trip to Sea Grt will be the experience
II at will be gained in loading troops on
railroad cars ard maintaining discipline
throughout a journey of some length, par
ticularly in passing through large cities.
such as Baltimore, Wilmington and Phil
adelDhia-experience that would be partic-
ularly valuable in the event that the guard
service. In addition. a camp by the sea-
shore is more than ordinarily desirable for
reasons that do not need to be debated.
should the President Call.
Considerable doubt seems to exist among
local guardsmen as to the relation Of the
District National Guard to the organized
militia of the several states in the event OF
war. The District militia is organized un-
der a special ac. of Congress, providing
that IL may be called into the service of
the United States by the President At the
outbreak of hostiltieS the suDpostion is
that the President would call the brigade
every man. unless properly excused would
be compelled to respond. even though it
might be necessary to resort to the eAtrem-
fty of taking him from his home by force
through the medium of a provost guard
In the several states the procedure would
be entirely different. The President for
Instance, might call On the governor of the
state of New York to furnish a certain
number of men. The governor in turn
could order out all or any portion of the
state militia, but he could not force any
man whose desires II light be to the con-
tary to enter the service of the United
States. 1t would be necessary for the
gCardsm IN of the state to volunteer their
services to the United States. The gov
error could not force his men to perform
duty outside the state.
Should the District CT Columbia National
Guard be called into the service of the
Ilitei states the probabilities are, in the
cPhion OF those who ought to know. that
the brigade would not be removed from
TINS locality. 1t might take station at Fort
Hyer. Va. should the regulars there be or
Gered away, or at Washington barracks
10 guard the government buildings and
other interests.
Carrier Pigeons Available
In the event of the outbreak of hostil-
tiles the local brigade, through its Engineer
corps, could have the use of about 800 hon.
ing pigeons The birds are the property of
members of the National Capital FLYING
Club. all being frst-class stock, with MANY
OF the number classed as long-distanee
flyers S
The Engineer Corps several years ago
possessed pigeon loft but the frequent
change OF quarters rendered this feature
o, tue work of ths corps impracticable
First Aid to the Injured.
The 1st Regiment. it seams, will be pre-
pared for any emergency in the event the
D. e. N c. is called into the service of the
United States Col Winthrop Alexander.
the resimental commander, has issued
general order, setting forth that battalion
surgeons Will give instruction to the Off
GERS and enlisted men OF their commands
In first aid TO the injured" touching upon
the subjects outlined below and such Others
OF value as may suggest themselves, At
ie.ist i've Lectures will be given il is stipI,-
Iated, and the various points Illustrated as
Iar as possible by practicable dcmonstra-
tion-
Ihese lectures will begin as soon as prac-
tcabie and Will be completed prior to NAV
J. TEey viii be counted as assemblies and
IN ADDITION to including them in the drill
and parade report, battalion surgeons are
Instructed to forward Immediately after
each lecture a statement of attendance of
oiilcers and men to the regimental adiu-
tant- Battalion commanders are direc. ed
10 endeayOr to secure as large an attend
ence as possible, issuing orders especially
to cover the lecture