The times., 1899-05-15
FRICTION IN THE GUARD.
Six Hundred Applications for Dis
charge Since Last November.

Since the public has become cognizant
that the welfare OF the District National
Guard is being threatened by the strife
of contending factions. unusual interest is
being manifested in the turn affairs are
taking.
The topic was generally discussed yes
terday. and much surprise followed the an
nouncement that the ranks are being grad
ually but steadily thinned by the constant
stream of designations of officers and ap-
plications for discharge which has poured
in on headquarters since the return OF tn
volunteer regiment last fall
II was generally known that friction ex-
listed. 1t was also known that many
Guardsmen had resigned. but when 1t wa
announced that something like six hundred
applications for discharge had been made
since November last the gravity of the
situation was realized for the first time.
On the other hand. former members of
the Guard, who by reason of their close
connection with the militia, had been
eagerly watching the trend of events, de-
clared that they were not startled at the
announcement. They had Deueveu a.
trouble to be serious one all the time
and were not only glad that they had sew
cred all connection with the Guard, but
hoped that unless radical changes We're
effected their former comrades would fol-
low the example set by themselves.
Under existing conditions they asserted
that 1t was perfectly natural for officers
and privates to resign, and they thought
that the inevitable result would be the
complete disruption of the Guard 1t is
said futile efforts have been made to per
suade many of the officers to remain. and
that while some who had got out con-
cluded to reconsider their action the vast
majority of the men were determined to
| follow the initiative taken by their officers
and comrades.
The resignation OF officers has been a
| powerful factor, causing other members
TO ask for their discharges. This is re-
garded as the most serious phase Of the
whole matter. AS long as the officers re-
main in the Guard they are able to exert
an influence in the way of inducing some
of the dissatisfied members to stay in the
| organization with them, but, as soon as
they leave 1t is quite certain that their
men will follow in large numbers.
The First Battalion, perhaps. offers the
| best example of the manner in which the
| rank and file cling together. When Cap
tain Miller. of d company, resigned. his
! adjutant and quartermaster followed, and
| the number was soon increased by the
addition of several lieutenants and a large
number OF privates. Eight officers and
| fully seventy-three privates left, and it is
asserted that others are weakening.
| Dislike of the management of the Guard
affairs and numerous unpleasant incidents
have been the main cause of dissatisfaction.
Former members state this themselves.
and to show that they were not tired of
Guard life added that they would be will
ling to return in the event of radical
changes. They were not desirous that the
| Guard should be disrupted, but would
rather see it disorganized than have it
struggle along under the present regime
Much alarm is felt among the adherents
of General Harries in consequence of the
trouble. 1t is pretty well established that
| former members are in many instances
using every honorable means to induce
other Guardsmen to resign. and, in this
| way bring about such serious state of
affairs that nothing short of an entire
reorganization will save the brigade from
certain destruction.