The evening times., 1899-04-08
DISTRICT GUARD
NOT DECREASING
Figures Show That the Local
Militia FlOurishes.
Officers Expect a Lively Enlistment
Season.
Splendid showing Made at the Ar.
linEton ObseGuies-Prepar
for the samnser Camp.

Contrary to the reports which have
gained considerable circulation to the ef-
| feet that interest in the District National
Guard is dying out and that the number
| Of its members is decreasing, the records
Of the Adjutant Generals Office show that
the Guard was never in a more prosperous
! condition both in the point of the interest
| taken in the work of the organization and
in the number of its men.
| The turnout at Thursdays parade conclu-
sively demonstrated the fact that there is
| no reason to fear an immediate or future
dissolution Of the local militia. On the
other hand, the showing made was Of such
character as to indicate beyond the
shadow Of doubt the excellent organiza-
tion and discipline of the body.
General Harries and Adjutant General
| Dapray express themselves as being very
| much gratified with the prompt response
made by the men and the excellent appear
ance which the various organizations pre-
sented. They took occasion on Thursday
| when the troops were drawn up at Arling-
ton, to ride down the lines complimenting
officers and men.
When II is considered that only forty
eight hours was granted in which to no
tify the 1850 men of the Guard who are
scattered all over the District, the prompt
manner in which SO many Of them report
| ed and performed the maneuvres exactly
as scheduled is a cause for congratulation.
There is no ground whatever" said
Adjutant General Dapray to a Times re-
porter this morning. for saying that tie
organization OF the Guard is anything but
as nearly perfect as il can be. keeping ia
view the adverse conditions under which
it has labored since the late war with
Spain"
The various companies and batteries as
sembled on time at the White Lot anil
proceeded to Arlington without knowing
just where they were TO be stationed.
Upon arrival at the cemetery they were
ordered to form in masses within a linz
tied space. Adjutant General Dupray stat
ed that TO handle a brigade within the
space allotted would have been very dItii-
cult matter had not the officers and men
strictly understood their business. AS il
was, the maneuvering was performed
without hitch and the men handled
themselves like regulars.
The assemblage Of troops Thursday was
larger than has been witnessed in this city
in three or four years and there has been
no parade Of the entire Guard, except at
the funeral of General Ordway, in nearly
two years, or since the last summer camp
was held This shows that the Guard
boys are deserving of commendaton.
II has been widely reported that the
number of men in the Guard has greatly
decreased within the past year or two.
This statement is not borne out by the
records. On March 81. 1898. the three bat
talions of the Second Regiment numbered
5S5 men; now they number Gs7 men. This
is but sample OF the increase OF enlist
ments in the entire Guard. Including all
the organizations of the militia. there are
nearly $50 men altogether. Owing to the
fact that all the reports have not yet been
received by the adiutant general, II is i'm
possible TO state at this time Just how
many men actually participated in the pa
rade to Arlington on Thursday but a con-
servative estimate places it at considera-
bly, more than 100e.
Another evidence OF the progressive spir-
il of the Guard is manifested by the fact
that while the militia of the States has
not yet received back the arms which the
troops took TO the war the District or
ganization has been in possession of its
equipment since last November. The order
allowing the States to make requisiton for
their equipment WAS issued at the War De-
partment only within the past few days.
The officers of the Guard are looking for
ward to an active enlistment within the
next few months. There will be another
parade. in which the brigade will take
part, on May 80. and II is possible that
there will be others in the meantime.
Preparations are now being made for
the summer camp. which will be held dur
ing the first week in June. The camp
site has not yet been selected. but 1t is
intended 10 locate ii near a railroad. with
in twenty miles Of Washington, probably
in Maryland. An effort is being made TO
arrange to give the men the same drill
that they would require for field duty.
1t is proposed to take the men away from
the camp for period of from four TO six
days. giving them actual field experience
during that time.