Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1911-03-16
Guardsman Portrays Excellent
Condition Militia Is in to
Meet Any Emergency.
CRy a Guardsman).

I 6ddldoAlACA ~ NcR~ u
events on the Mexican border shaping
up in such a ann as to make 1t ap-
pear war was imminent, the troops
would be ready to entrain quickly.
The selection of officers to make a
trip to San Antonio, where the maneu-
yer camp is located, and many rumors
naturally cause the impression among
the oldiers there is a possibility oil
action of some kind.
Naturally the militia officers haYe
not been appraised of all going on, but
many of them who a given deep
study to the subject and are close to
Headquarters in Trenton, when asked
if there is likelihood of Jersey sending
troops out, say anything a be ex-
pected.
Troops sent from the State now
would undoubtedly have a keener IN
J sight on warfare han the boys VINO
went to Sea Girt to get seasoned IN
drilling tactics and were Their Sent
South during the Spanish-Americap
War to be in readiness to take the field.
This condition is brought about be-
cause of the attention given the Ma
tional Guard by the government.
Jersey Troops Up TO Expectations.
Troops from this State have been
sent to distant points to rub shoulders
with the men Uncle Sam has in his
regular service. and on every occasion
Ii can be said to their credit they
have measured up to expectations n
surprised regular officers with their
grit under irving conditions.
This is the season of the year when
the soldiers have about reached the
point of perfection from a drilling
standpoint and preparations MADE TO
get the equipment in shape for the
summer encampments, n for this
reason little time would be lost start
ing off.
The final recruiting period will ex-
pire toward the end of his month.
Men desiring to get an insight into
military affairs and become part OF the
service, show their inclination when
talk starts regarding summer camp
life. officers offer prizes to those bring
ing in recruits so the commands Will
leave with their full strength, andNwith
all the war talk recruiting has been
brisk the past few weeks and will
likely continue SO.
Infantry commands, Of course. pre-
dominate in this State, each regiment
having twelve companies, and the
strength of sixty men in each company.
They are all we'll fitted out for the most
part with fine equipment and outside OF
q few recruits, who are quickly coached,
all are we'll seasoned.
But a few years ago were the guards
men brought face to face to what Is
expected of them during actual war
fare, and taught the privations of a
hard campaign. 1t had been the usual
custom to send them to Sea Grit, have
parades evenings at 6 o'clock, shower
respect on the governor and do skirm-
ish work in the morning and make joy
trips to tho adjoining seaside resorts,
but all that is changed.
18th and 5th First in Outside Service.
The Fifth regiment, composed OF
companies scattered in Paterson, Pas
sale, the Oranges and Montclair and
other points, along with the Fourth
regiment, of Jersey City, were about
the first to get outside service, and
those who made the trip will long re-
member 1t and the training received.
1t was five years ago that the two
NtAO POLtS ~
the government realizing the necessity
of in~structing guardsmen along prac-
teal lines, If 1t expected to use them In
emergency, and that the maneuvers
were successful from every viewpoint
has been demonstrated by the govern
ment using the States arm of service
every year since.
Life in a maneuver camp, as is being
evidenced now in a Antonio. is ex-
tremely There is moi much
time for h%orseplay nights, which used
to prevail at Sea Grit. Everybody is
tired and anxious to go to bed early
because of the tasks accomplished
during the day.
There was a time at the State camps
when a large building was used where
the boys in blue seated on camp chairs
gathered for mess and ate from china
plates and had other conveniences
that made it a treat to get the chance
to go down each summer and sleep on
a comfortable canvas cot and receive
50 a week besides.
Wal games have changed this, how
ever, and the comforts of home are
forgotten. The bugler gets within
range of about four company streets
and starts to play the II can get 'em"
call, and drummer and ffer, to the
tired soldiers mind. at $50 a. m. seem
to play about every tune in their book
and a few more besides.
No Eight-Hour LAW in Camp.
But there is no eight-hour law in a
maneuver camp.
Divided into two armies, the com
%mandants of both use the best strategy
at their command, and often the men
are awakened from their sleep on bags
of straw laid on mother earth, and
lined up and started off on a march
that may continue till daylight. SO as
to have a commanding morning posi-
ton on the enemy. and they sometimes
meet Oh the fields while reaching for
position and then the flashes of fire
denote action as the skirmishers start
the fire. to be followed by the booming
of artillery from secreted points.
New Jersey soldiers have had this,
The Fourth and Fifth had their bap-
tism down South, Essex Troop in
Massachusetts, the First in Pine camp,
the Second in Gettysburg and other or
CARNATIONS at different points to a
lesser degree. So they are ready for a
call, should one come now.
Besides the test in maneuvers, Sea
Grit life is also changed to meet the