The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-04-26
DISTRICT MEN GETTING READY
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ditiOnal prizes and individual medals for
all the winners.
OF far greater Importance than the
mere provision relating to prizes, how
ever, is the method by " hich the annual
tournament is to be made practicable,
that is. by equipping the State Guards
men with the same armament and equip
ment as furnished TO corresponding
branches in the regular service On the
acquisitions OF governors of states and
Territories. or on the order Of the COM
handing general of the militia OF the
District of Columbia, the Secretary Of
War Is empowered to issue to organized
militia the equipment necessary for
placing them on an equal footing with
the regulars. For this purpose $1,000,
600 was made Immediately available IN
til expended in procuring and Issuing
these articles
This feature, it is anticipated, viii
stimulate interest in the plan to such az
extent that there will be general unani-
nifty OF opinion wherever local enthu-
siasm is felt for the National Guard to
accept the War Departments assist.
ance. FiTst-class equipments, of newest
pattern, and most serviceabIe quality
are to be furnished entirely without cost
TO the States making reqUisition foT
them. The only conditions attached are
they shall remain the property OF the
United States and be accounted for in
the usual manner prescribed b. law for
the regular army
Despite these favorable conditions
there is reported to be some doubt as to
whether the New York State Guard will
care to accept the offer. Maj. Gen
Charles E Roe. its commander, and
George Gould, OF New York, both of
whom accepted membership on the board
appointed by the Secretary of War TO
look into the matter. did not attend the
sessions OF the board in Washington
New York Holds AIoOf.
An explanation offered for their alb
sence was that there had sprung up in
the minds OF the guardsmeu in that
State some opposition to the acceptance
Of any outside assistance, lest the pres
tige of the State guard should be con
sidered surrendered to War Department
control
a great deal OF the enthusiasm dis
played by the state troops is ascribed by
their commanders TO the effort the citi
soldiers make to maintain healthy
rivalry with the regulars The guards
men. as a rule, do not for a moment
admit any inferiority of squads of picked
men in competition with the most
skilled sharpshooters in the regular
army. They prize most of all their in
dependence of action. II is said. and are
not DESTROYS OF going into a general
competition where this present advan-
taae would be lost
Il is not doubted that the professional
soldiers can turn out better average
marksmen and better general teams.
But as for the citizen soIdiery, they
make their study of military methods
only matter of pleasure and Of pride
in occasional achievements, SO that by
competing only when fine picked teams
can be gotten together the prestige OF
the State troops is not put in jeopardy
Thus the public sentiment back OF the
troops Of the Empire State is reported
to be in opposition to the Governments
beneicent plan.
If such adverse action is taken by the
New York Guardsmen it Will come as
surprise 10 many officials in Washing
ton The adoption OF the plan is re
garded by many of them as largely d
patriotic duty. through which martial
enthusiasm would be aroused and .
high grade OF efficiency attained Such
results, it is declared, would prove of
inestimable value in any sudden call
for troops such as occurred at the
breaking out of the Spanish-American
war.