Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1909-09-20
RECE.PTIONTO MAJOR
GENERAL BELL
Distinguished Visi-
tor Warmly Wei.
coined by Capital
PRAISED NATIONAL GUARD
Head of Uncle Sans Mill
tary Establishment Guest
of Governor Gerry.

Major General J. Franklin Bell, chief
of the staff of the U. S. Army, was
guest this afternoon at the Execu-
tive Mansion. He came up from Al
buoueroue upon the urgent Invitation
of Governor Curry and from here pro-
ceeded south this evening on his way
to Fort Bliss and Fort Houston in Tex
as, being on an inspection of all the
military posts of the United States.
A notable reception was rendered
the distinguished visitor who came up
from Albuquerque with his aide on
Santa Fe No. 10, with Governor Curry.
Adiutant General Ford. and Judge
Campbell of the Philippines. Territor-
ial officials of the Comercial Club. the
two local National Guard Companies,
the First Regiment band and num-
Der of automobiles and other convey
ances, awaited the arrival of the train
and formed a procession which passed
around the capitol. around the plaza,
to the Cathedral. to the Federal Build
ing, to the Central High school, where
the children were massed in front of
the structure. and to the Executive
Mansion where the children of the
Parochinal Schools, of Loretto Acade-
my and Saint Michaels college had
taken places in the Capitol brounds.
A number of society ladies welcomed
the visitors at the Executive Mansion,
from the portico of which General Bell
made brief but pointed address in
National Guard, and said that perhaps
his criticism of it last year at Albu-
querque Fair was a little harsh for
he compared it with the cadets from
the New Mexico Military School who
had drilled every day and which school
since then has been rated as one of the
six best in the United States. Wheth-
er just or unjust, however, there has
been a notable improvement in the
bearing, department and esprit de
corps. He complimented the militia
highly therefore Upon request of Col
onel E. c. Abbott, he addressed the
Spanish Company in Spanish, being a
fine Spanish scholar, and his words
were received with cheers. Colonel
Abbott thanked him on behalf of the
National Guard expressing the hope
that it would deserve his praise.
General Bell was entertained at lun-
cheon at the Executive Mansion and
this evening will be the guest of Levi
A. Hughes, president of the CONNER
cial Club at dinner at which covers
will be laid for twelve.
Major Fred Muller was marshal OF
the parade this morning and mum.
Der of other Rough Riders partici
pated. General Bell made most fav
orable impression by his Democratic
ways He was in civilian clothes and
wore a. straw hat that had seen better
days, but he was admired the more
for not being resplendent in gold lace
Of course the subject near the hear
of Santa Fe, the re-establishment ot
the military post in this city and fol
which 600 acres of land were decided te
the U. S. government some years ago
was delicately broached this afternoon
but General Bell would not commi
himself. except to reiterate the re
marks made at Albuquerque which fol
law:
Likes the Southwest.
Il shall strongly recommend tha
none of the southwest posts be atond
oned," said General Bell at Albuquer
cue last night, because I believe tina
in view of the climate and conditions
they are indispensable to the mainten
ance of the army. The principle reas
on is that we need the room. In lin
with it's policy of keeping abreast witt
the latest in military science, the wa
department has instructed a new sys
tenn of target practice which is rad
ically different from the old. With ney
high power rifles and new type O
bullet, the new system of shooting a
moving tragets at unknown distance
requires wide area of country. ther
great plains of the territories bein
especially adapted for this purpose. !
glancing bullet may richot at righ
angles from the line of fire and need
lot of country to spend its me
mentum without damage. In shor
the southwest offers the ideal ply.
ical conditions for artillery. cavalr
and infantry field instruction partic
ularly the target practice.
"Again, the well nigh perfect cl
mate of the southwest is a splendi
thing for the soldiers. On my preser