New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-02-18
THE GUARD IN GOOD CONDITION.
MOBILIZATION POSSIBLE IN A SHORT WILLY
AUTHORITY OVER THE GUARD.

AUTHORITY OVER THE GUARD.
In view Of the reports circulated yesterday that
the National Guard OF the various States had been
ordered to move at a moments notice several
colonies Of the New-York Guard were asked yes
terday to the present state Of the militia, its
equipment and the readiness with which It could
be modified.
Colonel Alexis G. Smith OF the Sd Regiment
when SEEN referred the reporter to Major-General
Roe the proper person to speak for the Guard,
saying;
For me TO say anything would be like private
speaking when HIS captain was present"
Colonel Henry 8 Van Duzer said: II have re-
ceved my honorable discharge. and am no longer
a member OF the militia, but do not believe there
is any danger OF Even IL the Maine was
destroyed by a torpedo that does not prove that
Spain was responsible for the attack"
Colonel F. V. Greene OF the fist Regiment could
not he seen Colonel William Seward OF the 9th
Regiment had the following TO say: The Ma
tonal Guard In this State Is I'm very good condi-
ton, indeed, to meet any responsibility which 1t
may be called 10 assume, and It could be mo-
blllzed In a very short time. The members are
fully equipped for field service. except that. OF
course they do not carry sufficient ammunition;
but that could be easily Issued 70 them. The 9Th.
too. has no blankets. At the time OF the Brooklyn
riots you will remember, the 9th was detained In
this city. and Of course. had no need Of blankets.
which. therefore. were not issued; but THIS could
be quickly rectihed.
mo have no idea what disposition would he
made Of the militia in case OF war To know that
would require a more comprehensive view Of tho
question than I possess. and even II was In
formed I would have right to tell what would
be done. ] believe there about one hundred
thousand men enrolled in the militia Of the coun-
try but. OF course the efficiency OF the organza-
ton varies In the different States. great deal
81 nrf1 al In
a State for the militia and tho smaller the amount
tho greater the burden the men must personally
bear II takes a good deal of enthusiasm TO get
men 10 give their time and trouble to the militia
and then TO go into their pockets and pay the ex-
pcnses Of their equipments. armorcs. etc, as well.
The efficiency OF tho militia. therefore. rises In
direct ratio with the OF money appropriated
on It's behalf I believe the militia OF this State
to be the best equipped and drilled as well as to
have the largest number OF men. Of any State.
Said Franklin Bartlett colonel OF the 22d Regi-
ment: "The National Guard in this state is in ex-
cellent condition and 1t is also very good in Massa-
chusctts and good IN Connecticut. New-Jersey.
Maryland Pennsylvania and the District OF Column
b!a It 4. composed OF infantry cavalry and artil-
lery hut with comparatively small number OF
the last two. There are something over 1870"
men in the New-York National Guard. and they
could be put I'm the field IN 4 few hours. These
mon are equipped with the Springfield rifle which
Is supplied to them by the fedcral government.
II Is an effective weapon. but not equal TO the
Krag -Jorgensen rifle. with which the Regular Army
Is now armed. The latter carries much further
and has greater penetration than the Springfield
rife All powers of the Federal Government are
obtained from the Constitution. and the power Of
the President over the militia exists by virtue OF
the Constitutional provision in the first place, which
provides. Section .. Article H. that the President
shall be Commander-n-C OF the Army and
Navy Of the United States and OF the militia Of
tho several States when called into the actual SER
vice of the United States.
The Revised Statutes OF the United States.
under Title 10. entitled The Militia, contain the
provisions affecting the militia. and embrace
cOdifcaton OF the various acts Of Congress going
far back 1892 and covering the various acts
which were passed in our Civil War that is TO say.
In 1861 and 1862 The important provisions found
In Section 1872. under the marginal title orders
Of President in of invasion This section has
been the law since 1888 but the power of the Pros
ident was further extended In 1862
THE original provision giving the President
power TO call out the militia adopted by Con-
gress in Chapter l01. of the Laws of 1925
I'm the great case of Martin agt. Mott. Justice
Story delivered opinion In the Supreme Court
% the United States, holding that the authority
to decide whether the exgency has arisen in which
the President has authority to call ont the militia
repel invasion Il exclusively vested in the Pres
ident and his decision Is conclusive upon all other
persons. In case the militia should be called ont
have not the slightest idea of the manner i'm
which the men would be used or whittier they
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