Evening star., 1909-06-26
GENERAL HARRIES SAYS "YES''
DISTRICT NATIONAL GUARD TO
BE IN MANEUVERs.
Brigade Commander, However, De-
clnes to Disclose Scene Of Mimic
War or Give Details.

Brig Gen. George II. Harries. COM
manding the District of Columbia militia
returned to this city last night after an
absence of nearly two months on the Pa
cific coast, where he went on street rail-
way business. Gen. Harries was busily
engaged at his office. 14th and East Capt.
tol streets, today, among other things 60
ing through a vast accumulation of mail.
The local citizen soldiery has been
anxiously awaiting the return of the
brigadier commander, as he was called to
California while in the midst of reorgan-
izing the guard under the act of Febru-
ary IS. last. and soon after his departure
the rumor spread that the brigade would
participate in elaborate maneuvers on the
,MaSsac chusetts coast this summer, going to
the Bay state and returning aboard army
transports. Company commanders, par
ticularly, have been awaiting with inter
est the coming Of Gen. Harries, hoping
in the way of doubt that might exist as
to the Massachusetts trip, SO that they
could proceed with the enlistment of a
large number of men who are desirous OF
entering the guard in the event the plans
referred to are authentic.
Will Participate in Maneuvers.
THE National Guard of the District OF
Columbia will participate in any maneu-
vers Maj. Gen. Leonard Wood, United
States Army, may have planned for next
August Gen. Harries said to a Star re-
porter today. Il was in conference with
Gen. Wood before l started west seven
weeks ago, and unless the plans then dis
cussed have been changed the troops par.
ticipating in the maneuvers-where. L can
not say-will be organized in corps, and
the local brigade will be part of the %
Corps. AS we are to sail under sealed
orders. SO to speak, l am not at liberty to
discuss the proposition further
Gen. Harries made it plain that the
work of the National Guard is a serious
one and that every body connected with
The organization will be expected to per-
form his full duty. in a serious way. par
ticulagly during the field work in August
The brigade IS to come in contact with
the state troops of New Yor, Massachu-
setts, Connecticut and New Jersey and
with regulars
Enlistments to Cease July 12.
Enlistments will cease July L. so that
no green" men will go on the trip. The
National Guard of the country is now
under the law, the first line of defense
after the regular army. and the local bri-
gade particularly. Gen. Harries says
must take Advantage of every opportunity
to render itself as efficient as possible fol-
service in possible war. A big opportunity
is to be presented in August.
As to the reorganization of the brigade
under the act of February Is. Gen. Har.
ries gives assurance that 1t will be com
pleted prior to August r. the date the
command is to depart for the scene OF
the maneuvers. The War Department
has suggested several slight changes in
the draft of the proposed regulations un-
der which the reorganization will be eff.
fected. Gen. Harries expects to straight.
en- out this matter with the department
at once, and as soon as the regulations
are approved the essential changes will be
ordered.