The Saint Paul globe., 1903-07-26
THENATIONAL GUARD

During the visit of the congressman
to this city last week for the purpose
of making an inspection Of Fort Smell
ing with a view to enlarging that post,
Maj. George c.. Lambert ably repre-
sented the national guard at the BAN
auet rendered them and was also with
the party when the visit was made TO
the post. Maj. Lambert is an enthu-
siast in favor Of the enlargement Of
Fort Smelling, and also believes 1t
would be a good thing for Minnesota
to use it's influence to secure the loca-
ton Of one of the permanent militia
camps at Camp Douglas, Wis. His
theory in this respect Is a popular one
with the national guard, for if this
point is selected it will be within five
hour ride from st. Paul, while as the
proposition now stands Fort Riley,
Kan, is the nearest encampment post,
and would necesSitate a couple Of days
travel for a special train to reach
there.
At the banquet given to the congress-
men at the Minnesota club, Maj. Lam
bert was called upon to respond to
1.-THE National Guard" He covered
the subject ably. He said that one
point which is generally overlooked by
the. war department in dealing with
the national guard is the fact that the
state troops are volunteers, and find
it difficult to leave their positions for
any great length Of time each summer.
Therefore it will be necessary to get
the greatest amount of service with the
least loss of time to the men. For that
reason he believed that Minnesota
should give it's hearty cooperation to
the movement to select the Camp
Douglas site, inasmuch as it would be
impossible for Minnesota now to enter
the fight, and secure the location of one
as near to home as possible, SO as to
get the best results possible from the
encampmentS
Congressman Esch, of Milwaukee,
was much pleased with Maj. Lambert's S
position on this subject and there is
little doubt but that the Wisconsin
delegation will stand by any Fort
Smelling improvement desired.
Wisconsin has finally and positively
refused to enter the artillery competi-
ton again this fall, but may claim the
privilege two years hence. 1t will then
be up to Minnesota to decide whether
or not the challenge will be accepted for
the present trophy,
The governor of Illinois is very anx-
ious to see an artillery team from that
state compete with Minnesota, and
says that no expense will be spared to
secure a victory for his artillery team.
with Maj. Yeager, commanding the
Illinois battalion, and has suggested
that fund for the trophy and team
badges be provided by popular sub
scription in both states.
The date for the regimental team
shoot to be held in Lake City has not
been decided on positively, but will
probably be held during the second
week of September, if improvements
! NO xxrox yNI-
pit is to be moved 100 yards further
back and the new sliding targets will
hereafter be used There will be room
for twenty of these. A new range
house is also to be erected. The state
team to compete for the Washburn tro-
ply will be selected during the team
shoot.
Sept. 21 has been proposed as the date
for the competition for the Washburn tro-
ply to commence at Lake City This
date has been set by Adjtg Gen. Libbev
Bids have been asked for the erection
of the superstructure of the new Armory.
and it is hoped that the roof may be on
before winter sets in so that it NAV be
closed and allow the companies to move
into their rooms. The progress has been
greatly delayed by the length of time
taken for the excavation.
The details for the ST. Louis trip will
probably not be taken up until this win
ter.
The board to whom falls the duty of
drawing up a new set of regulations gov
erning the state troops, and also to de-
eide on the uniform to be adopted for use
in this state, will probably be convened
next month The members are Col. c.. A.
Van Duzee, Maj. George C. Lambert and
Maj. c.. T. Spear, all of this city The
aim of the board is to come as near as
possible to the regulations of the regular
army adapted to the national guard con-
ditions. Many changes will be necessary,
and the report will be anxiously awaited
Adjt. Gen. S. III. Kelsey, Kansas, has
directed that requisition be made by
each officer of the national guard, in
cluding the governors staff, for the fol-
lowing equipment: One regulation saber,
one regulation service belt, one regulation
service overcoat, one regulation pistol and
holster. All mounted officers and men
will be issued: One regulation russet
leather saddle, russet leather bride, reg
ulation spurs and straps, russet leather
saddle bags, regulation saddle cloths.
Adjt. Gen. T. J. Stewart, of Pennsyl-
regular army uniform for the national
guard of that state and officers have been
ordered to provide same before Jan. l.,
1905, but may be Yorn as soon as Sc
The annual encampment of the national
guard is sometimes the scene of pleasure
as well as hard work. In California the
tlrnock sparadeAhas ceased to be pleas
ure for the men, and practices of a more
thrilling nature are sometimes indulged
in. in which the officers take prominent
part. Following a regimental drill re-
Gently Of the First California, dummy