The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-02-13
VIRGINIA TROOPS
ANXIOUS FOR DUTY
Believe National Guard Will Be
Called for Service OH
Mexican Border.
MAY SERVE AS VOLUNTEERS
Mobilization Camp Would Be
Established at State Fair
Grounds Here.
MAY SERVE AS VOLUNTEERS

News of the crisis in Mexico and the
probability of Intervention by the
United States government recalls the
fact that orders for the mobilization of
the National Guard. in addition to the
Department and ready to be flashed on
the wires at moments notice. In
regard to the militia. the situation is
exactly what it was one year ago
when Acknowledgement Sale received
thinly yelled hints from Washington
to be ready for service orders at any
time.
While the National Guard cannot be
ordered to invade Il foreign country
until the militia pay bill becomes law
militia organizations are subject to
instant call FOR patrol duty on the Dor
der and for lighting on the defense
If the occasion demands. Should Pres
ident Tart and Congress deemc armed
intervention III Mexico necessary. mill
tia organizations. particularly those of
the Southern States. will be called
upon to bear n prominent part in the
activities.
Army Not Sufficient.
Under the already prepared plan for
the pacitication OF Mexico. the War
Department intends to order 100000
men under arms on the first call The
strength of the regular army is nom
inally 100000 men, but the actual
strength is only $1,000. OF this force
only about 10000 or 900 will be
available for service In Mexico. as the
garrisons of the Philippine Islands.
Porto Rico. Alaska and the Hawaiian
Islands have to be maintained at reg
ular strength. regardless of the mil
itary operations OF the country in other
directions. Besides. certain army posts
must remain garrisoned.
The discrepancy between the 100. 600
men TO he placed in the, field and the
10000 or 10000 regulars available must
he supplied from the ranks of the Ma
uonal Guard and by volunteers. 1t
has leaked out from the War Office
that $4,000 militiamcn will he ordered
under arms the moment the depart
ment directs an army division to cross
the Mexican border or sail for a Mex
lean, port on mission of invasion.
The National Guard numbers $4,000
officers and enlisted men.
Since the War Department intends
to pivk but 10000 of the available
l22.000 National 0uardsmcn. it liz gen
orally understood that regiments from
the Southern States will be chosen
both because Of their proximity to the
scene of fighting and their ability to
stand up under hot weather. One OF
the greatest difficulties of Mexican
campaign is admitted to be the heat
to be faced by the American soldiers.
Conditions in the Sunny South have
equipped the Southern militaman to
best withstand the assaults of natural
conditions in Mexico.
While General Sale has. received no
official instruction To have his Vir-
ginia commands ready for action. it
is regarded as probable that the Nir-
ginia volunteers may be called To arms
on the first mobilization order.
Camp In Richm0ud.
That Nirginians will be called upon
to display their time-tried martial feel
ings at the very outset of any possible
trouble is almost assured by the an
nouncemcnt that Richmond has been
chosen as the site of one Of the sew
eral mobilization camps for the Ma
tional Guard. which are to be cstab-
lishcd over the country in war times.
About this time last year, when Adju-
tant-General Sale was called To Wash
ington, in company with the adjutants-
general of numerous other Southern
States, to confer with Major-Gencral
Wood, he WAS told that militia troops
along the Eastern coast would be mo-
biliZed in Richmond, where they will
be available for service in Mexico
either by rail or BY water from New
port News.
General Sale has had in view the
State Fair Grounds as the logical site
camp. aud it is here that the Virginia
volunteers will get their first taste
OF wartime camp dust.
From the number Of letters pouring
into the acknowledgements Office from
eager militiamcn all over the state.
il would appear that the Virginia Vol
unteerS Will be ready To seize any OPP
portunity Of smelling powder from
Mexican guns. Wherever possible, 1t
is understood. the War Department
will endcavor to have militia organiza-
tons resign as "a unit from State ser
vice and offer themselves az vOlun-
tccrs. 1t is expected that the bulk of
Virginia Volunteers will go to Mexico
under this provision, scorning the tame
amusement of border patrol.