Evening star., 1898-03-26
THE NATIONAL GUARD.
In Case Of War the Brigade Will Be
Prepared.
TO GO INTO CAMP NEAR THIS CITY
Preparations in Progress at Local
Militia Headquarters.
POWER OF THE PRESIDENT
POWER OF THE PRESIDENT

the event of hostilities the District Of Co
lumbia National Guard will be at once
called into the service of the United States;
that the local brigade will be the first Ma
tional Guard organization to be ordered
out; that the brigade will go into camp in
close proximity to this city; that each COM
pany will be recruited to its full strength,
or as near the limit as is possible; that the
skeletonized battalions will take on their
full quota of flesh. so to speak; that the
utmost care will be exercised in enlisting
recruits; that the brigade will follow strict
ly the customs of the regular establishment
from the outset, and that, above all, it will
be prepared to obey orders, no matter what
those orders may be. All this is known.
Whether not the District National
Guard will be ordered away from the city,
or will be kept on duty here as the basis of
camp Of instruction for recruits and for
garrison duty in the event that war is de-
clared, is not known. Opinion seems to be
divided on that question. There is no doubt.
however, that should the Guard be ordered
away 1t will make the start in the best
possible condition for service. Every man
Will have passed a busineSs-ike medical
been tested as to his ability to perform the
duties of the office to which he is COM
missiOned.
Program to BE Followed.
The program that has been mapped out
provides for the appointment Of two boards
OF medical officers. One board will examine
and pass upon the fitness for active duty of
the men who are at present enlisted. The
other board will look after the recruits.
In keeping with the policy Of the War
Department, and with the National Guard
organizations OF the states, proper steps are
being taken at headquarters of the local
militia In the direction of preparing for a
possible call to arms. These steps have
been taken quietly and in dignified man
ner. 1t is known at headquarters, or soon
Will be, just how many men of the guard
will respond to call If it should come,
and equally plain are all other facts
requisite.
The local volunteer soldiery will not be
caught unawares, and if trouble should
come the brigade may be depended upon
to give an entirely satisfactory account of
itself, no matter what the situation it may
be called upon to face.
The Monday evening meetings at head
quarters will be discontinued after Monday
next, the 2sth instant What may be con-
sidered as significant sentence Is con-
tained in the circular announcing the dis
continuance Of the meetings, which is as
follows:
LAS there will be much of interest to dis
cuss on this occasion, 1t is desired that
there shall be full attendance of officers"
Officers Commissioned.
The following have been recommended to
the President for commission: Daniel D.
Chisholm captain of Company B, I'd Bat
talon; Roy b. Hayes, as second lieutenant
of Company c, I'd Separate Battalion;
Arthur L. Evans, second lieutenant of
Company d, 4th Battalion, and George c.
Thomas, as first lieutenant of Company d,
4th Battalion.
Henry A. Dobson has passed the exam
ination conducted by the brigade board and
is entitled to the grade Of candidate second
lieutenant.
Commissions have been received at the
headquarters for the following: Capt. E. L.
Webster, Company A, 1st Separate Bat
talion First Lieut.. r. H. Burgess, Com
E. H. Pillsbury, Troop A, and First Lieut..
Patrick J. Haltigan, quartermaster, 4th
Battalion.
Discharges, Honorable and Otherwise.
Because of removal from the District,
Corporal Vernon Rollins and Private NAL
com Douglass, both of Company D. I'd Bat
TALON, have been honorably discharged.
Privatcs William Gerry Morgan and Fred
S. Emmons, both of Troop A: Privates A.
c: Brummtt and Luther M. Divine, both
of Company c, 1st Battalion, and Private
Eugene Wardwell, Company c, I'd Bat
TALON have been honorably discharged on
their own applications.
Because of expulsion from his company
Private John Osborn, Company A. 1st Bat
talon, has been dishonorably discharged.
First Separate Battalion.
The companies of the 1st Separate Bat
TALON have been giving special attention of
late to skirmish drill, loading and firing.
The officers and men feel highly elated ove-
splendid showing at a recent inspection
Of arms. The complimentary remarks of
Major Tierney, chief of ordnance, has in
spired the members to maintain the high
standard established.
Cant Herbert S1ocun hoe
been exercising the companies to some ex-
tent in street riot drill. Considerable atten-
ton is also being paid to voluntary rifle
practice, in view of an additional target to
the equipment Of the rifle gallery of the
battalion.
Views of Col. HcyI.
Some difference of opinion seems to exist
among the adjutants general Of the sew
eral states and territories as to the right
OF the President to call upon state troops
should occasion arise. In this connection
the following contribution to the New
York Herald by Lieut.. Col Chas H. Heyl.
adJutant general of the District Of Column
bia militia, is of interest:
Lack OF uniformity in the requirements
and obligations attached to the enrolment
or enlistment in the militia in many of the
states makes 1t necessarily difficult to ex-
press an opinion as to how far some of
these states would consider themselves
legally bound and allow themselves to he
y.
The oath in some instances requires only
allegiance to their state, while others re-
Quirtng the same allegiance also support
the Constitution of the United States.
There can be no question, however, as
to the Presidents authority over the mill
tia when called into the service of the
United States. The Constitution grants
this authority. and it is thus implied, and
must be conceded, that he has also the
authority to call them into such service.
The method of doing SO. whether through
the governor OF the state or direct is
merely matter of courtesy. and circun-
stances might exist whereby the desire
might be defeated by taking the first
course, and the sentiment and patriotism
of the good citizens Of this great country
would very generally approve Of the latter
plan in time of imminent danger or war.
President to Determine.
THE repelling of invasion is construed as
keeping an enemy from her territory, and
the question of how this can be best ac-
complished-whether by acting on the Of
fensive and sending her troops outside of
her boundaries, or simply taking the de-
fensive and keeping them within her ber-
ders--is a matter for the President as
commander-in-chief to determine.
III,