The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-10-19
General Bates Is in Command of
the Entire Force.
MANEUVERS OF VALUE.
Praise for the National Guard
by the Commander.
Conduct of the Troops Has Been
Exemplary.

Fort Riley, Kas, Oct 19.-An of the
regulars assigned to the maneuvers
are here, and with the state troops
there are about II, coo men in Camp
William Cary Sanger. The troop trains
carrying militia have been delayed in
true war fashion, and the Missouri and
Iowa regiments are coming in ten or
twelve hours after they were expected.
General Bates is again in command.
as he was at the West Point, Ky, ma
neuvers Just closed.
1.-The maneuvers have been of value
to the national guard, I believe, and I
know they have to the regulars" said
the general. land it is in no sense a
picnic for either state or federal troops.
Hard work from the time they leave
the cars is what it means. The national
guard takes an unexpectedly deep in
terest in the work. both officers and en-
listed men. AS an illustration the
West Point camp was about twenty
mills from Louisville and during the
maneuVerS q horse show was going on
in the city. There was plenty of OPP
portunity for the men to go there at
night. but hardly man left the camp
until the last night, Saturday. When
one thinks of the attraction a horse
show has for a kentuckian. there is
more than cause for remark. The men
hard days work in the field
The national guardsman deserves
speclal credit. When he comes into this
camp he has many things to learn that
the regular has always known He
must learn to take care of himself in
the camp and field as the regular has
learned from experience. At West
Point we sent the command out to
blVouac and it happened that a heavy
rain storm came IN. The state troops
were astonished to see cavalrvrnen
come IN, take care of their horses first
and then give themselves care before
the Euardsnen had sheltered them
selves. 1t was the teaching of expert
ence and can say that the militiamen
did not let the lesson slip by.
1t IS hard to say who is benefited
most by these experiences. 1 have seen
old officers who served all through the
philippine campaign just as enthusiasts
TIC as young men just commissioned
Some of the officers are stationed in
pests where only one arm Of the ser
vice, say infantry, is chartered Here
they have the opportunity of coming into
touch with other battalions at one post
and few companies at another so that
In some instances the colonel doesn't
know more than half of his officers In
these camps the regiments are brought
together. giving the commanding officer
an opportunity to know the men he il
to use if necessary.
AT West Point I had 5000 militia
Ail~Ai R4A liz camp. IINI6 we Will nave
about 5000. The national guard seems
willing to cooperate and the regulars
always are. The future success of this
movement depends upon congress.
The federal government pays state
troops, officers, and men, the same,
grade for grade, as it does regulars from
the time they leave home until they re-
turn. 1t also pays all transportation
and subsistence. When congress passed
the Dick bill it authorized these pay
ments, but made no appropriations for
them The secretary of war however
provided the money from regular army
pay and subsistence funds, and this Will
probably cause deficiency If congress
makes the necessary appropriations for
next year the maneuvers should not
only be successful, but should grow by
the participation of more militia
General Bates took special pleasure in
speaking of the conduct of the men IN
these eneampments. In all of the
camps the conduct of men. regulars and
state troops, has been exemplary" he
said. Disorder has been wholly alb
sent"