The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-04-11
Town Topics.

OF course the only topic in Butte just
now is war. Easter in truth seems to
be the season of the year for war. A.
year ago the war between Greece and
Turkey started just ct Easter and this
Easter sees Spain and America on the
verge of scrapping. Sumter was fired
on April IA and the battle of Lexing-
tor the beginning Of the revolutionary
war. was fought on April ~. also In
the Easter season.
s
1t is to be doubted II many churches
in Butte could show during holy week
as large a gathering at evening service
as has gathered each evening about s
o'clock at the Armory to "see the boys
drill" A month ago the militia COM
panies went through their drills with
cut a soul to watch them. But now
several hundred people gather at the
Armory each night and members OF
companies not on drill hang around the
Armory az around a home and can be
seen there at all times, although former
ly II was a hard matter to get them out
even for drill.
In case of wal the militia won't have
IL all to themselves. The Uniformed
Rank of the Knights OF Pythias stands
ready to start on very brief notice.
Major General Carnahan. the head of
that branch of the order. recently vol
unteered the services of the Uniform
Tar to the president and the Montana
knights at least are ready to respond.
instructions have been issued, which
were read at the last meeting of Silver
Bow division No. 2 of the Uniform
Rank. The Is ready to enlist
as soon as needed. The Uniform RAM
in Montana numbers 10 drilled compa-
MES of about $50 men altogether. All
over the United States there are about
so. 900 in the order and all ready to
march. They are well drilled in mill
tary tactics and maneuvers n are
sworn to support the constitution of the
country. The regiments OF the Uniform
Ran would not, of course. go in their
dress uniforms. They would wear the
government regimentals. but they would
endeavor to retain their distinctiveness
as q society.
That newsboy who persists in getting
things just near enough right to be
ludicrous was off again one day last
week. In crying his paper n day last
week, he exclaimed:
England refuses to meditatei"
Among the topics discussed during
the week i'm connection with the expect
ed war was the question as to whether
the president has the authority to call
the Montana National guard into serv-
ice. The president has That authority.
He is authorized to Gull out the guard
for a term of nine months or less. but
must %stipulate in the FALL the length Of
the term the National guard Is To serve.
When the militia Is called out in the
service of the gcne al government, they
pass out of the control Of the various
states and are und er the command of
the president.
Another question which has been
much discussed by those in Butte who
expect to go to wal is as to whether
they must forfeit life insurance by taxi
ing up arms for their country. Many
of them have life insurance and in case
of death have little for their families
except the life insurance. 1t is under
stood, however, that most of the lead
ing insurance companies have already
waived the war clause in this case and
it is probable that all will do so.
There has been inaugurated in New
York recently a national volunteer re-
serve movement, the object of which is
to furnish volunteers additional to the
state militia i'm case of need. According
to the Helena Independent, Governor
Smith received Saturday the following
letter. signed by Gen. John A. Scho-
HtTI, tOiliffd1uGG VI IL iCSNi &c, " ~
III. Washington. president, n Gen.
A. Med. McCook. secretary:
. TO His Excellency the Governor: We
beg to call your attention to the names
herewith and the enclosed dispatches.
The movement is growing so rapidly
that we have not the force at our COM
mand to keep pace with the demand.
The movement Is one to strengthen the
national defense and prays for concert-
ed action on the part of all states.
I'VE urge you To the following aid:
20 Encourage the press of your
state to urge enrollments.
"(2) Ask them to print prominently
the enrolment blank herewith.
. "t3) II possible open headquarters for
enlistments in the state capitol and at
other points in your prominent cities.
30 AS the time Is so short and 1t Is
impossible TO distribute blanks from
this headquarters. have blanks of the
size and character of those herewith
printed for distribution by your local
patriotic pap
I'VE rely on your enthusiastic en-
couragement throughout your state.
Requests w been so general that II
seems impossible to consider any ex-
ception."
Governor Smith In an interview says
hat he is not impressed by the utility
OF this movement. In the event OF war.
he says, the country will depend on the
regular army and the National guard
which will, In all probability. prove a
much greater force h will be neces-
sary, as most of the fighting will take
place on the sea. should more troops
he required thousands of volunteers
woud spring up on the instant.
"