The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1908-06-11
For the Organized Militia and
is of Vast Importance
to the Army.


The signing of the Militia bill by
President Roosevelt on MAY "a last
marks a new era for the organized
militia of the United States and one
which Will be of vast Importance to
II and to the army, says the Army
and Navy Jorunal. The state forces
have now become a part of the first
line of defense with the army and
their close relations with the latter
force will be of immense value. The
calling OF the National Guardsmen IN
the future will mean strict reallza-
ton of military duty, and the citizen
soldier must be prepared to go wher-
ever his ervices are needed and stay
as long as he mey be required or
til his enlistment expires. Under the
new bill the status OF the National
Guardsman (using the term for con-
venience as representing all the or
ganized milttia) is raised. and Is prac-
titally a part OF the regular enlist
ment. The new law provides for the
service in war of the organized mill
tia whenever the President shall call
forth the militia, anywhere that he
may choose to employ that force,
either within or without the borders
OF the United States, and without go
ing through the laborous mastering
in formalities observed for the war
with Spain. Provision is made by an
appropriation which shall not ex-
coed $2,000.000 in any year, to fully
equip the organized militia for active
duty as Federal expense.
The United States of America for
the first time in its history, will now
have peace force which will be of
immediate use when war comes The
transformation OF the National Guard
as 1t stands into voluntary army
ready for service anywhere adds to
the first line OF defense for war just
the number of men that the force
contains. Thus, the first line will
consist of the regular army and the
organized militia. behind which the
great mass of volunteers which any
great war will require can he raised.
The National Guard is in no way
changed rs to It's state duties; 1t Is
merely made ready for instant ma
tional service should war come. The
class of men in 1t will, 1t Is expected,
be far in advance, in serious purpose
and interest, of those who in the past
may have Joined 1t largely for pleas
ure, without taking into account the
serious side of soldering. Some crit
les advance the opinion that when
young men fully realize the new re-
sponsbilities they are taking when
they enlist in the National Guard In
the future, the enlistments may in
time of peace be too few. Let US
hope. however. that this will not he
the case, and that the new condition
of things will be stimulus fer men
to enlist who desire to be known and
respected as real soldiers, rather THAI
men who merely want to wear a uni
form for a good time. The National
Guard for many years has been I'M
proving, and has accomplished many
things which years ago were consid-
cred impossible, and there is every
reason to believe that 1t can reach
the desired standard under the bill.
and be ready for any service at all
times.
A valuable feature of the new law
is provision for II board of five mil
itia officers, to consult with the Cen
eral staff Of the Army on matters of
Importance to the National Guard
and prepare regulations for It's gov
eminent. Those to whom final pas