The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1914-06-03
BLEASE WON'T LET
SOLDIERS ENCAMP
Says 1t Is Inopportune Time For
Guard to Leave States-Cor-
respondence in Case

Columbia, June l.-G0V. Blease mas
refused to allow the South Carolina
troops to participate in the encamp-
ment of the ninth division at Angus
ia, Ca, assigning as a reason that In
view of the Mexican situation he does
not think the troops should leave the
state. He promises that If the peace
conference results satisfactorily he
will take the matter up for further
consideration. The decision was
made known in a letter from the gov
ernor to the adjutant general.
"The reasons 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 a letter replying to Gov.
Blease. He points out that the mill
tia could be transported to the mobil-
ization camp at Camp Willie Jones in
five hours if war breaks out with
Mexico, and could be more quickly
mobilized than if they were at their
home stations. He asks the govern
or to reconsider his decision and per-
NIT the troops to go to Augusta.
Gov. Blease'S Letter.
The following is a copy fthe let
ter received byAdjt Gen. Moore from
in this paper last week from "Sin-
Gov. Blease:
81 am in receipt Of communication
from you, transmitting communica-
tion signed w. A. Simpson, requesting
information regarding the joint en-
campment of instruction to be held
near Augusta, Ca, for the troops Of
the ninth militia division from July
10 to August IL, 1914, inclusive: You
request me to advise you at once
whether it is my intention to have the
National Guard of this state partici-
pate in these instructions on the dates
mentioned. In reply beg to say that
in view of the present Mexican situa-
tion I do not think the South Carolina
troops should leave the state to parti-
cipate in this encampment. II the
peace conference now being held
should result satisfactorily will then
take the matter up for further consid-
Grafton" -,
The communication was signed by
the governor as commander-in-ch
of the National Guard. e.
Following is Adjt. Gen. Moore's re-
ply:
II beg to acknowledge receipt Of
your letter of May 29, in reply to in
dorsement upon letter from the COM
manding officer of the department Of
the east, requesting information as to
whether you proposed to have the Ma
tional Guard of this state participate
in the joint camp of instruction to be
held near Augusta, Ga, July 10 to
August II, 1914, inclusive.
In reply I yill state that the rea-
sons which you assign for refusing to
allow the National Guard to partici-
pate in these instructions are not well
founded, because of the fact that
should the National Guard be called
out for duty in case of war being de-
clared with Mexico, they could be
transported to the mobilization
grounds in this state within five hours
from the time orders were issued. In
fact, they could be modified much
more quickly from this camp OF in
struction than if they were at their
home stations. In view Of this fact
and the tendency to stifle the interest
of the National Guard, especially the
enlisted strength, should they not be
allowed to participate in these instruc-
tions, trust that you will reconsider
your decision and advise me at once
of this change, in order that detail of
arrangements can be arranged be-
tween this department and the depart
ment of the east for this camp Of in
struction, as 1t requires considera-
BILE amount of correspondence, to-
gether with proper estimates and re-
QUESTIONS, which must be made in ad-
vance of such encampment."