Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1903-07-23
REPORT ON MILITIA.
what inspectors Say About Missouri
and Kansas National Guards.
iced OF MORE LIBERAL STATE AID.
rhe Missouri Regiments Recommended Tor
. share I'm the Militia Bill Benehts-The
Kansas Soldiers Said TO BE Faithful
and Enthusiastic.


and Enthusiastic.
Washington, July 20.-The Reports
Of army oficers who recently inspected
the national guard regiments OF all
me states and territories have been
made public at the war department
the purpose of the inspection was to
ascertain the condition OF the regi-
rnents and what they would need In
xhe way Of equipment. The facts con-
tanned will be used in putting Into ef-
fect the provisions Of the bill passed
by the last congress to promote the
eficiency Of the state militia.
Capt. q. b. Winans. Of the Fourth
cavalry. who inspected the Missouri
regiments, takes occasion to commend
the service Of the Third regiment at
Kansas City during the recent FOODS.
He states that the regiment rendered
faithful and efficient service, although
tz,e men received no compensation.
He recommends that the regiment De
permitted to participate in camps OF
instruction with regular troops.
The Kansas regiments were inspect
ed BY Mai. J. Lockett, also OF the
Fourth cavalry, who reports that ne
found the Kansas soldiers faithful and
enthusiastic.
~ consider all Of the Missouri or
Plantations" says Capt. Winans. SUI
ficiently armed, equipped and dis
ciplined to entitle them to share In the
benefits Of the recent militia bill. The
FIRST regiment Is still armed with old
Springfield rifles. The remainder have
new United States magazine rines.
The tentage throughout Is old and
much OF 1t should be condemned. All
fhe organizations labor under the dis
advantage Of receiving small appropri-
;ations from the state, none OF them
.prior to January 1, 1908, having re-
,ceiyed suficient to cover the single
item Of armory rent Many Of the
companies are not supplied with
books, and found considerable lack
of knowledge among the officers In the
proper keeping Of what they ala nave.
'The adjutant general Of the state
and the brigadier general In command
uof the brigade are both anxious to have
their regiments conform In organiza-
dion to the requirements OF the new
militia law, and It is intended to In
Hroduce q bill looking to this end IN
the next legislature.
1.-THE Fourth regiment 10 well armed
with new magazine rifles in good con-
sdition and well cared for Clothing
Ne also in good condition. The per-
sonnel IL generally good, although sew
.eral companies have men under age.
rThe drill as q rule 10 poor ! believe
iahis can partly be attributed to en-
ybarrassment. There is great interest
IN the regiment and the captains, as
n rule, are efficient as far as their
knowledge permits. In my opinion,
sthis regiment should be permitted to
participate in camps OF instruction
with regular troops"
MAI Locketts report ON ing Na"s''
Fegiments In part ID as ioliows
"The fact that tne nationa' suAIu
OF Kansas participated In tne army
maneuvers Of Fort Riley curing tne
aail Of 1902 Is PROOF positive .nat !. -
wroperly armed and equipped TOT actlve
duty In the Held. As q wnole tne suaru
% reasonably proficient ana some ol
one companies ana Dat'eries veIy sou
msfactory. II was observed tnat tne Or
@aniEations having the pest omcers
swers very far ahead OF them not 30
-wsil provided. This indicates very
'<leariy the necessity OF selecune ony
Ne very best material In the states ior
ahe companies to attend drills, etc, It
- NhA