The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1901-07-24
THE. NATIONAL GUARDS LEGAL
, STATUS.
Colonel Jones Makes an Order Affecting
Applicants for Membership-The Or
ganization Flourishing Now.

Colonel j. w. Jones of the National
Guard, has made an order that here
after several important sections of the
law regarding the duties of national
guardsmen shall be read to all appIi-
cants for membership i'm the organiza-
ton before they take the oath. Since
the legislature made provision for the
military number of applications for
membership have been received and
the National Guard appears to be
flourshing.
The sections to which the attention of
new soldiers is to be specially directed
are those which define the powers of the
organization especially in the matter
of compelling obedience and furnishing
infractions of discipline. The session
laws of '95 provide that the National
Guard may punish its members by fines
and penalties and may enforce its de-
cisions in the District Courts of the
Territory. Courts Martial are provided
Tor and their decisions are recognized
by the government even to the extent
of death sentences in time of war or
insurrection The following are some
OF the important sections which Col.
Jones has ordered to be read to apDIi-
cants' in order that they may under
stand that they take a serious step in
Joining the National Guard:
"All officers and enlisted men in the
at all times be subject to trial by Court
Martial.
"All persons sentenced to imprison-
ment by courts martial or military COM
missions may be confined in such place
as the sentence of the court may direct.
mo sentence of death; imprisonment.
or dismissal of officers from the SER
vice, shall be valid unless approved by
the Commander-in-C Chief.
"All infractions against military dis
cipline shall be punished as courts mar
tial may direct.
General courts martial. in time of
peace, may impose the punishment of
fine not exceeding fifty dollars and corr
dishonorable dismissal from the Ma
tional Guard in the case of officers and
enlisted men not on active service. And
in case of officers and enlisted men on
active service, such courts may punish
by fine not exceeding one hundred dol
lars and Imprisonment until such fine
is paid, and (or) by Imprisonment not
exceeding twelve months, and (or) by
dishonorable dismissal from the SER
service.
In time of war, general courts mar
tial or military commissions may i'm
pose the penalty of death
"Regimental or garrison courts mar
tial in time of peace, may impose pun
ishment by fine not exceeding ten dol
lars and Corr dishOnorable dismissal
from the National Guard in case of en-
listed men not on active SERVICE
ANY officer or enlisted man of the
National Guard of Hawaii who shall
be dishonorably discharged shall there
by be disabled to hold any Office or en-
ployment in the service Of the Republic
of Hawaii unless pardoned by the Com
mander-in- Chief"
"The existence of these laws was gen
IA ha, /
said Colonel Jones this morning, but
1t is some years ago and they have been
forgotten by many. 1t is proper that
applicants for membership in the Ma
tional Guard should appreciate the fact
that they are taking very serious step
when they join the organization. The
militia is the police arm of the Territory
or State and is so recognized every
where
"The man who joins the National
Guard is expected to be ready to devote
himself, even to lay down his life If il
should become necessary, for the pro-
lection of his country and home. It is
customary i'm the United States Army
to read the military laws TO soldiers
before they are sworn in, and in State
organizations similar to ours, appli- |
cants are made acquainted with the
they assume and the |
status and powers of the organization F.
they join before they take the oath.
Under the appropriation bill as pass |
ed we shall get along well, and already |
nave noticed revival of interest /
and increase i'm the number of appli- I.
'ants. 1t is a fact worth noting that |
In spite of all attacks upon the mill |
Lary here we have had 7G per cent at
tendance on the average at battalion |
irill, and 81 per cent at parades This |
IS very excellent. We had drill and |
parade last night, and the turnout was
very good"