Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-05-27
The Second Call for Troops.

The second call for volunteer troops
came suddenly when it was issued by
President Mckinley, Wednesday, and
yet it was not unexpected. For weeks
there have been persistent rumors that
another call would be made, and the
reasons which led the national gov
eminent to take this step are not hard
to discover. 1t does not indicate any
emergency or sudden need, but rather
shows the purpose of having a large
reserve force on hand. The occupation
of the Philippines was not contemplate
ed when the first call was issued, nor
was it thought that so many men
would be required for the army of
Cuban invasion as is now deemed
necessary. Moreover the first call de-
the National Guard, and most of the
men who will answer this call will be
unframed recruits. and many weeks
will be required before they can be or
ganized, equipped and disciplined for
active service. Ii is better to have
many more men on hand than are ac-
tually necessary than to be a few short
of having enough. The wisdom of
making this call for $4,000 volunteers,
in addition to the $4,000 already called
out, will not be questioned by the
country, and the call will be ans
wered with all the loyalty and enthus-
iasm that the first call evoked.
The $4,000 volunteers called for a
month ago are now nearly all mus
tered into government service, and
half of them are assembled at the gem
der the second call will not be rushed,
and all matters connected with the
first call will be first Strengthened out
Within a few days, however, the states
will be notified of their quotas and the
rules governing the enlistment and
mastering will be laid down by the
war department. 1t is understood that
the enlistments will be thrown open,
much as at the opening of the Civil
War. thus giving all an opportunity
whether belonging to the National
Guard or not. This method will recoS-
nize independent companies and reSi-
mcnts, many of which are now organ
lied and ready in various sections of
| the country The organization of this
reserve army of $1,000 men into
regiments. brigades and diyis-
| ions, and the appointment of all
the general officers will involve much
time and effort. though ten times the
number of men wanted stand ready to
volunteer.
Names quota under this second call
is estimated at go men. and it will be
filled as quickly and Loyalty as was the
first call. Under the first cali Maine
furnished 1160 men. and these have
been mustered in for 10 days, and are
armed, equipped and drilled second to
no troops that answered the call. They
have been in daily readiness for over
a week to respond to the expected or
ders to go to the post Of duty, the in
fantry regiment to Chickamauga and
the heavy battery to Fort Popham.
| Although no measures have yet been
taken to fill the new quota it seems
generally understood that the ID Regi
ment will be called out. 1t will be
only too glad to get marching orders
again. and there are already nearly
enough men in its ranks to provide the
80 for government service. The boys
of the I'd have envied those of the list,
but now their turn is coming and they
will be a happy crowd. 1t is likely to
be some time, perhaps several weeks,
before they are called to Augusta to
be mustered in. No state is better able
TO fill it's quota promptly. with men
ready for service, than Maine. This
second call again brings up the ques-
ton of a special session of the Lcgs
Iature, and this matter will receive the
serious consideration of the governor
and council. today. 1t is certain that
no special session, with its large at
tendant expense, will be called unless
it is made absolutely necessary by the
| condition of the State treasury. The
affairs of the State were never in bet
ter hands than now, and it's people
may rest assured that their interests
and the honor of Maine are safe.
Some neWSpape said a promi-