The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-05-04
TO IMPROVE THE MILITIA
A Move to Bring About Closer Re
lations With the Government.
Plans Discussed mt the War Depart
ment-Tbe Need of n Better system
Recognized - Some Suggestions
Made by n Prominent state officer.

The War Department will shortly take
up the question of securing closer rela-
ton between the National Guard of the
different States and the National Govern
ment Several propositions have been
discussed by National Guard officers and
some recommendations have been made TO
Colonel Sanger, who is particularly inter-
ested in this subject.
The question before the War Depart
ment is how to place greater responslph-
ity upon the militia forces with view 10
securing a force that will be at all times
ready for the use Of the Government III
case of an emergency. 1t is recognized
that at the present time the status OF lhe
National Guard is so underlined that when
a young man enlists in it he can nave no
clear understanding as to what his duties
and responsibilities are, who can order
! him out in time of war, or where ne may
be ordered The War Department Is not
any more anxious to have this status set
tied than are some of the State organf-
cations, but UP to this time no plan mas
been suggested that appears to meet the
approval of all the State organizations
An army officer said yesterday that 1t
was not so important that the questions
should be settled in any particular way
as that they should be settled. He added:
IF any solution of the problem is to be
found it can only result from patriotic
| treatment of the subject by officials ana
| officers of State organizations. Almost
| everyone will have to make certain con-
cessions and possibly accept legislation
| which is not in strict harmony with MS
own judgment"
That the War Department is determined
| to present to Congress n plan lot nhee'-
| ing the requirements of an improved Ma
| tionaI Guard is well understood JUST
what this plan will be remains TO be de-
/ termined. Several suggestions have been
| made by National Guard officers. and one,
which comes from an important state
official who has been prominent in militia
| affairs, is that, first of all, the States
| should recognize the right of Congress TO
| legislate for the State militia orgam-
| cations This right is given to Congress
in the Constitution, but has never been
exercised, and this officer says that the
recognition of this is the first essential
to an improved National Guard.
The Government, according to this Of
dcer should be able to rely upon the
militia as an auxiliary force of the Reg
ular Army. and the militia should recog-
nize the responsibility which this change
would bring. Congress could then enact
| such laws as would properly regulate the
auxiliary force. 1t is proposed by the
National Guard officer mentioned tha'
both the President and the State offlclals
shall have the power to order the Ma
tional Guard to the front. which Will give
the National Government the use of the
militia when necessary and which Will not
interfere with the rights of the States al
the same time. a,,,,,,,
II is pointed out that the militia shouic
correspond to the rank and hle OF tht
army. and in the case of State artillery
forces. that they should be trained ioi
their work in the harbor forts and receive
instructions in the handling OF the gum gun;
which they might be called upon to handi'
in case of war This feature, II !:
declared. would add responsibility 10 tht
guardsner, and force them to recognize
that their work was of particular vaIu'
tn the Government. II is not expected ina
the different States will hold the SAINT
view on the subject. and in discussing IN
question. the War Department recoehl ~
that, suggestions along various lines WI
be made before any one likely TO meet WIZ wiz
the approval of Congress Is adopted 10
recommendation by the Secretary Oh W ar