The Washington herald., 1909-03-28

tional Guard OF the District viii have re-
ceived by tomorrow night a positive and
categorical indication that the reorganiza-
ton OF the brigade IS now in full progress.
and that Il means serious business 10 all
concerned.
This significant fact is brought home
forcibly to each militia officer in a per-
sonal letter from the adjutant general
calling for an immediate. uneQuivOcal.
and confidential reply TO the question
whether or not the officer viii pledge his
services in the field in case war Is de-
elared
Kept on Record.
An affirmative answer to this question,
which will. OF course, be kept on record
at militia headquarters. is virtually equiv
alent to volunteering for service In any
war. either at home or abroad. in which
this country may become involved while
the officer in question holds his commis-
sion
The letter calls attention to the fact
that under recent statutory provisions the
National Guard. or organized militia, Is
to serve as the first line OF defense IN
case OF war, and that before the reor-
ganization OF the brigade takes place the
commanding general desires a precise and
prompt declaration from each officer as
to what his intentions are in case OF
hostilities.
should It seem clear 10 you" the let
ter says. that circumstances would not
permit you to serve in war. you will so
state, giving such reasons as you care 10
ADVANCE. II. on the other hand, you feel
At liberty TO pledge your services, you
will so announce. Your conclusions should
be set forth in positive terms. in order
that misunderstanding may not be posi-
BILE"
Strictly CONFIDENTIAL.
The replies are TO be indorsed on the
back Of the letter and forwarded TO head
quarters without delay They viii be re-
garded as strictly confidential. and are
TO be so marked on the envelope, or de-
livered to the adjutant general in person
The few militia officers who yesterday
happened to see the letter al brigade
headquarters realized its significance at
once.
The general militia law provides that
the National Guard Of the States and Ter
ritories shall be called into the field as a
reserve to the regular army. and In ad-
vance Of any volunteer troops. as soon as
war is declared.
The militiamen viii no longer volunteer.
but viii be ordered out for the time OF
their enlistment ANY enlisted man or
commissioned officer who fails to report
viii be tried by court-martial. in which
one-half Of the members Of the court viii
be regular officers.
Under General Act.
Through recent legislation the District
National Guard is now brought under the
scope Of this general act. All these
facts will be weighed by the officers of
the brigade before they pledge them
selves in writing TO give their services
in case OF war.
A commissioned officer may resign, but
he IL liable for duty until his resignation
is accepted. and the acceptance Of IL re
mains optional with the President
II is thought doubtful If on the out
break OF war the President would accept
the resignation Of any omcer who seemed
merely desirous Of avoiding the response
and which he has voluntarily assumed.
and more especially II a written pledge
OF his services was on file at militia
headquarters
In case Of war the law no longer al
lows the National Guard. either enlisted
men or commissioned officers, 10 decide
as TO whether they shall go or not The
present letter from Col Smiley, adjutant
= Fc In
" a hint to the District officers as 70
what viii be expected of them under the
new regime. and offers any of them
who for divers reasons could not go to
war a chance to withdraw gracefully be-
fore the new and stringent regulations
are put into effect.
Serious for Men.
It has not been decided Just what ac-
ton viii be taken in case or an officer
who states that he would be unable to
take the field in case OF war, but there
Is a tacit understanding that he should
resign from the guard.
AS far as could be learned yesterday.
the great majority of the District officers
win send IN prompt and enthusiastic
pledges Of their services in any war in
which this country may become involved.
The question is a more serious one for
the enlisted men. esI sclally those who
have families TO support. They too, WILL
be ordered out in case Of war, and. unlike
the officers, will not have an opportunity
to resign. These facts are now being
impressed upon applicants for enlistment,
so that young men who thOughtlessly en-
list In the guard with the idea of getting
a uniform and two weeks vacation IN
camp during the summer will not sud-
denly wake up to the fact that they
have enlisted for three years service IN
any war at home OF abroad in which this
country may become involved.
officers Of the District militia are now
Informing those who wish to Join their
organizations that just as ignorance of
the law Is an excuse for no one. ignorance
Of the new obligations assumed in enlist
Ing in the National Guard cannot be
pleaded as an excuse for not taking the
field when the command Is ordered out In
case Of war
May Drop Out.
II is thought that under the reorganiza-
ton many of the older men. who have
family obligations which would make Il
almost impossible for them to go to war.
VIII drop out OF their present organiza-
lions and join either the reserve or the
coast artillery companies. which, In the
event Of hostilities. would be stationed
near the city at Forts Hunt and Wash
ngton.
AS a further indication OF the new
order OF things. there has just been Issued
from brigade headquarters a circular
which has all the warlike ring of COM
munication sent TO troops about to en-
gage in a campaign
The circular declares that the absolute