The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1914-06-03
WON'T LET SOLDIERS ENCAMp
BLEASE SAYS 1T Is INOPPOR.
TUNE TIME FOR GUARD no
LEAVE STATE.
Correspondence I'm Case Refers tn
Mexican situation, and Says He is
Watching Peace Conference.

Columbia. May 30.-GOv. Blease
has refused to allow the South Car
olina troops to participate in the en-
campment Of the 9th division at Au-
gusta, Ca. assigning as q reason that
In view Of tho Mexican situation he
does not think the troops should
leave the State. He promises that if
the. peace. conference results salts
factorily he will take the matter up
for further consideration. The decis-
lon was made known in a letter from
the governor to tho adjutant gener-
al. )
"The reason you assign for refus-
ing to allow the National Guard to
participate in these instructions are
not we'll founded" says Adjt. Gen.
Moore, in q letter replying to Gov.
Blease. He points out that the mill
tia could be transported to the mob
ilization camp ut Camp Willie Jones
in five hours IL war breaks out with
Mexico. and could be moro quickly
mObilized than IL they were at their
home stations. He asks the governor
to reconsider his decision and per-
NIT the troops to go to Augusta.
The following is q copy Of the let
ter received by Adjt. Gen. Moore from
Gov. Blease:
"I am In receipt Of q communica-
tion from you. transmitting communi-
cation signed w. A. Simpson, request
ing Information regarding the joint
encampnent Of instruction to be held
near Augusta, Ca, for the troops Of
the 9th militia division from July ~
to August IL. 1914. inclusive. You
request me to advise you at once
whether 1t Is my intention to have
the National Guard of this State par
ticipate in these instructions on the
dates mentioned. In reply 1 beg to
say that, In view Of tho present Mexi-
can situation, 1 do not think the South
Carolina troops should leave the
State to participate in this encamp-
ment. If the peace conference now
being held should result satisfactor-
lily. / will then take the matter up
for further consideration"
The communication WIS signed by
the governor as COmmander-in-Ch C Chief
Of the National Guard.
Adjt Gen. Moore, replying to the
governor in a letter tonight, said: 81
beg to ackn Owledge receipt Of your
letter under date of May 30, answer
ing my letter Of May q. requesting
permission to have the military board
convene for tho purpose of appor-
tioning the maintenance fund Of the
militia as required by Sections Is
and II. Military Code of South Caro-
lima. In reply you state that you do
not sec any necessity Of putting the
State to this expense unless what the
board does is put into effect, nor will
give my consent for or attend a
meeting Of the board unless 1 am as
sured that whatever action the board
may take will be carried out"
I desire to inform you that this re-
quest for the cOnvening Of the mill
tary board Is in accordance with my
duty as adjutant general and a part
OF the statutory law Of this state. AS
to the action of the board being car
ried out by me / desire to state that
IL their action in appOrtioning these
funds is In accordance with the law
governing same, their action will be
certified to by me. otherwise I shall
decline to certify to apportionments
which may be made. and i'm my opn-
ion. or in the opinion Of my legal ad-
user. are in violation OF the law.
That detail of arrangements can be
arranged between this department
and tho department OF the East for
this camp OF instruction, as it re-
quires q considerable amount of cor
rcspondencc. together with proper es-
Inmates and acquisitions. which must
be made in advance Of such cncamp-