New-York tribune., 1909-02-07
MORE PACIFIC TROOPS
SIXTEEN COMPANIES IN
CALIFORNIA.
WGr Department asks Increase Of
Militia Bearing on Jap
aneSe Situation.

san Francisco, Feb. 6.-EIOVernOr GllIetL mas
received from the War Department at Wash
ington request that he organize sixteen militia
companies to be held in reserve for coast de-
fence, according to reliable Information obtained
to-day
Some time ago Adtutant General Lauck was
requested by the federal authorities to assign
that many men OF three regiments Of state
militia to the coast defence, but Lauck declined
to do so. 1t is understood that Governor Gillett
who arrived here to-day will begin the organi-
zation Of the companies at once.
It is considered significant that Senator Cam
inatt who introduced the school bill in the
upper house. should have had the measure re-
ferred to the Committee on Education. He IS
! himself member of this committee, and it is
generally believed, matter what the fate uf
the bill may be later, that it will at least receive
a favorable report.
PRESIDENT WIRES SPEAKER.
Governor GiIett said tonight that Speaker
Philip A Stanton Of the Assembly. is in possess
sion of telegram from President Roosevelt the
contents of which the Governor does not know.
but which Speaker Stanton has permission to
make public If he fit.
Are you aware Of any information Of dis
turbing character that would account for official
action thus far taken?' was asked
Il am not" replied the Governor.
Has Mr Stanton communicated TO you the
matters which led to his expression of belief
that the Legislature was tresding dangerous
ground?'
He has not" said Governor GiIlett. To-day
received from the President a telegram in
which he thanked me for the services he was
pleased to think I had rendered, and expressed
a hope that the matters in issue would be salts
factorily settled. In addition, he said that he
had communicated by telegram with Speaker
Stanton, and that he had left with Mr.. Stanton
the decision as to whether or not the telegram
should be given publicity. The Speaker started
for his home in Los Angeles without acquainting
with his receipt of such message, and
have not learned its contents.
L have made up my mind that the President
and the members of his Cabinet not taking
this stand unless there splendid reasons for
their doing Any one might draw that con-
cIusion from the matters which made pub
lie I do know. however. that the President
and his advisers are much concerned. but
this information is derived from the tenor and
urgent character of the messages they have cent
Il do not believe the Legislature will commit
itself to any undertaking that does not reflect
the sentiment of the entire state. do think
that any action will be taken without giving
~ complicated matter the attention 1t war
rants My last word upon the subject is fully
expressed in the message sent to the Assembly
yesterday urging reconsideration of the bill pro-
viding for the segregation of the Japanese
school children"
The intention of the state TO organize sixteen
artillery companies to the coast defenCes Of
California Governor CiIlett attributed to the
vival of a project undertaken some time ago at
the behest of the national government.
Sacramento, CAL Feb. 6-State Adjutant
General Lauck was emphatic in making the
statement to-day that the request Of the War
Department for the organization of sixteen
militia companies of artillery for coast defence
was not the result of the passage by the Assem-
bly, of the anti-Japanese school bill. General
Lauck declared that neither Governor Gilett nor
himself had the japanese situation in mind
when it was decided TO accede if possible. to
the request of the War Department that he
establish an adequate coast defence.
When General Iauck submitted recently to
state Controller Nye his estimate of $525.OOO for
the expenses of the national guard in the next
two years the Controller cut it down by $67,4OO
This sum- the adjutant general states, included
$4,000 for the maintenance of the sixteen ad-
ditionaI companies asked for by the national
government Unless the Finance and Ways
and Means committees of the Senate and As
sembIy respectively disregarded the Control
Ier's recommendation and put back the $4,000
y,
be useless to attempt TO accede 10 the War De
partment's request.
Several months ago the adjutant general de-
clined to assign the sixteen companies for the
purpose Of manning the guns along the coast,
the ground that it would be unfair to take that
number from the three regiments of state militia
left after the reorganization that had just been
effected.
on January the War Department appealed
To Governor Gillett to organize the sixteen COM
uanies but it was not until weeks later that
the Chief Executive and his adjutant decided to
accede The Governor agreed with General
Iauck that by securing the services of business
men and men of family who did not desire to
leave the communities in which they lived in
case of hostflities. such companies might be
sanized with good results Following this policy
an effort is being made to raise fourteen com
uanics in San Francisco and two in San Diego
the principal strategic points the California
coast The Legislature is expected by the ad-
jutant general to furnish the means of support
for these organizations. on the basis OF Sl00
month for each company.
According to the commanding officer OF the
California National Guard there are available
at this time not more than one-fourth Of the
number of men required to man the guns pro
tecting San Francisco Harbor.
GENrFR 1RJTY CTHEHE