The Savannah morning news., 1902-02-09
HOW 1T is PROPOSED TO GIVE
THE MILITIA THIS RATING.
BILL is BEFORE CONGRESS.
THAT WILL INTEREST SAVANNAH
MEMBERS OF MILITARY.

now the fOrce Nay be increased
Anything appertaining to the Geor-
gia State Troops or to the national
guard is always interesting to the
soldiers of Savannah. Probably no city
in the United States, when population
is compared, has as many young men
in volunteer service as Savannah. This
city, therefore, is particularly inter-
ested in the bill to increase the eff
cheney of the militia of the United
States and for other purposes that will
be acted upon, in all probability, be-
fore Congress adjourns.
The Interstate National Guard Asso-
citation, which is comprised of the ad-
1utants general of the various states
and other officers, has indorsed the
measure, and leading military men
throughout the country have declared
for it. On the other hand, it has not
failed to arouse opposition, though the
opponents are not merely so great
numerically as are the friends of the
measure. Here in Savannah there is
quite a division of opinion, though few
of the officers or men have had op-
rortunity to read just what is contem-
plated by the bill. The following syn
opsis of its several sections will give
knowledge of what is contemplated:
Provisions of the Bill.
1t provides that the regularly organ
lied and uniformed active militia in
the several states and territories who
have heretofore participated or shall
hereafter participate in the apportion-
ment of the annual appropriation pro-
vided by Congress shall constitute the
organized militia. The organization,
| armament, and discipline in the sew
eral states and territories shall be the
same as the organization, armament,
and discipline now or hereafter pre-
scribed for the regular and volunteer
armies OF the United States.
Whenever the United States is in
vaded or in danger of invasion from
any foreign nation, or of rebellion
against the authority of the govern
ment of the United States, or the
forces at his command to execute the
laws of the Union in any part thereof,
1t shall be lawful for the President to
call forth, for period not exceeding
nine months, such number of the or
ganized militia as he may deem neces-
sary.
The Secretary of War is authorized
to issue, on the acquisitions of the
Governors of the several states and
territories, such number of the United
States service magazines rifles and
carbines with bayonets, bayonet scab-
bards. gun sings and web belts as are
now required for arming all of the or
ganized militia in said states and terri
tories, without charging the same or
the cost or value thereof against the
allotment to said state or territory out
of the annual appropriation or requir-
ing payment therefor, and to exchange
ammunition suitable to the new arms,
and that each state and territory shall,
on receipt of the new arms, turn in to
the Ordnance Department of the United
States army, without receiving any
money credit therefor, all United States
rifles and carbines now in it's possess
sion.
Pay for Camp Service.
Whenever it shall appear by the re-
port of inspections. which it shall be
the duty of the Secretary of War to
cause to be made at least once in each
year by officers detailed by him for
that purpose, that the organized mill
tia of a state or territory is sufficiently
armed, uniformed and equipped for
active duty in the field, the Secretary
of War is authorized to pay for the
subsistence and transportation of such
portion of the organized militia as shall
engage in actual field or camp service.
allowing to the militia while so en-
gagged the same pay, subsistence, and
transportation as officers and men of
ponding grades in the regular
army are entitled to by law. The Sec
retary of War is authorized to detail
officers Of the regular army for duty
within any of the states or territories
for instruction, inspection, or such
other duty as may be approved by him.
The Secretary of War is also author
lied to provide for participation by any
part of the organized militia on re-
quest, in the encampment, maneuvers
and field instruction of any part of
the regular army at or near any mill
tary post or camp of the United States
Whenever any officer of the organ
lied militia shall attend and purgue
regular course of study at any mill
tary school or college of the United
States Army, such officer shall receive
the same travel pay subsistence, and
quarters, or communication of quarters,
Aas an officer of the regular army would
be entitled to If attending such school
or college under orders.
Reserve Volunteer Force.
For the purpose of securing a list of
persons specially qualified to hold COM
missions in any volunteer force which
may hereafter be called for and organ
ized under the authority of Congress,
other than force composed of organ
lied militia, the Secretary of War is
authorized from time to time to con-
Vene boards of officers at suitable and
convenient army posts in different
parts of the United States, who shall
examine National Guard officers and
others as to their qualifications. Such
examinations shall be under rules and
regulations prescribed by the Secre-
tary OF War, and shall be especially
directed to ascertain the practical ca
pacity of the applicant. The record of
previous service shall be considered as
part OF the examination. Upon the
conclusion Of each examination the
board shall certify to the War Depart
Inent It's Judgment as to the fitness of
tne applicant, stating the office, II any.
which II deems him qualified TO fill,and
upon approval by the President, the
names or the persons certified 10 be
qualihed shall be inscribed IN a regis
ter 70 be kept In the War Department
Tor that purpose. The persons SO certi-
NED and registered shall, subject 10 A
physical examination at the time. he
entitled 20 such certificate In any vol
unteer force hereafter called for and
organized under the authority OF Com
Kress. other than a force composed Of
Organized militia, provided that no such
person shall be entitled 20 receive a
commission a. a second tfaufanart sftar