The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-04-23
CRISIS FOR THE VOLUNTEERS
FIRST REGIMENT TO DECIDE TO-
NIGHT WHAT 1T WILL DO.

n
TO War open Until Their Return.
Col. Deveaux states the status of
the CoIored TrOOps-FOrmer Mem
beers of Military Ready to Rejoin
the Ranks.
Things are rapidly drawing to crisis so
Tar as the volunteer troops are concerned,
A telegram was received yesterday from
Col. A. f. Lawton of the First Regiment
of Infantry by Capt. NJ. A. O'Byrne, ad-
jutant of the regiment, instructing him to
call a meeting of the officers at the regi-
mental armory at o'clock tonight and
meetings of the companies at O'Clock.
Capt. O'Byrne said last night that the
object of the meeting was doubtless to
discuss the situation and to decide what
action shall be taken by the regiment up
on the call for volunteers, which Will
doubles be issued tomorrow.
Col. Lawton spent yesterday in
Atlanta in conference with Gov.
Atkinson and leading military Of
fcers here of the state. That Col.
Lawton will head the First Regiment,
whether 1t remains in Georgia, or whether
1t goes to Cuba, is not doubted here. 1t
Is desired 20 secure as large an attendance
as possible at the company meetings.
Business in many lines has given way
to war talk and while wild enthusiasm is
scarce there is no other subject which viii
interest the people. They must know the
latest thing that has happened, conse-
hun
board, or telephone newspaper Office
to find out what was the last thing done.
The volunteer militia is one of the most
anxious circles now into which this war
discussion falls. They do not know yet
what will be expected of them. The, COM
mandng officers are in the same position.
Now that the bill calling for volunteers
has passed, the soldier boys may hear
that they are wanted at any moment. 1t
is possible orders may come from the
Governor this morning conveying the
Presidents proclamation, which would be
an immediate call for volunteers. 1t will
then be for the men to say what they
will do.
To go or not to go, that is the question
which will confront them, and the belief
Is that the majority of them will go. If
Georgia's quota is 1900, Savannah will
furnish more than her share. There
would not be the slightest trouble, 1t is
believed, in getting 500 volunteers from
the volunteer militia alone on the first
cali. These men would all have to be ex-
amined before going into the service. All
questions now except that they are United
States soldiers must be forgotten. and
they will undoubtedly forget them.
The question of young men and their
business positions has become an Import
ant factor in the situation. A young man
who might not otherwise hesitate to vol
unteer to join the forces in behalf of his
company, might stop and think when IL
comes to the question OF his position. He
does not want to come back from the wal
and find another man doing his work and
himself a loafer.
Nearly, if not all government employees
in the custom house and postoffice, and, in
fact, in all departments, have been notified
that their places will be kept open for
them year, if they desire 10 enlist.
80 far as 1 am concerned" said well
known railroad man yesterday, Il will
agree 70 let every man in my cflica aho
wants to enlist, go and do so. and I viii
promise him that he shall have his same
every railroad and bank, as wall as other
institutions and many of the merchants
will have the same feeling about IL. The
young men are the men who will have to
go, and there is no reason why they should
be handicapped in any respect. 1 believe
all the business men win be patriotic
enough to let their employees go, and prom
Use them their positions when they return,
regardless of what they think of the mat
. iasf met nc a d.
under the circumstances"
This seems TO be the sentiment with
many of the business people, and there is
little doubt that they will allow their men
to go with no fear of being out OF a job
when they again strike their native land.
Vice President and General Manager
John M. Egan of the Central Railroad and
Ocean Steamship Company was asked
about the policy that will be pursued by
any of their employees going
to war He replied that it has
always been the policy of the Cen
trail and the Ocean Steamship Company to
show the utmost consideration. for their
employees, and that they viii certainly not
deviate from it in such an emergency as
the present
Mr. Egan says there has been no circu-
lar order to that effect sent out, as it has
tOL Deeu Regarded as necessary out tnat
the men who go to fight for their country
will have their positions retained for them
until their return. There are many mem
bers of the military in the employ of tine
two companies, and the knowledge that,
in the event they are called out. they will
not lose their jobs win doubtless be a
source of considerable comfort to them.
Mr.. Egan says he does not know that
any railroad men are exempt from militia
ny service simply because they happen TO
be connected with a railroad. He was
asked II the men necessary for the opera
ton OF the trains were not exempt but
10 this he replied in the negative, saying
his belief is that they are all liable for
duty. Ii has been said that those In the
transportation department or necessary
for the running of trans are exempt. but
this does not seem to be the case Mr..
Egan says, If 1t should come 10 such a pass
that the men are needed, the government
would probably enlist them, aud the de-
tail. then to special service in running the
trains for the transportation OF troops
ana supplies. When matters assume the
most serious aspect in time of war this is
usually the course of procedure.
With the Plant System there Is a dis.
position TO allow their enlisted men all
reasonable concessions. While of coitrae