Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-06-07

WI D.

HERE is still much uncertainty
about the date of the encamp-
ment of the National Guard of
the District of Columbia and
the place where it Is to be held.
The message from the headquarters OF
the Eastern Division of the Army at Gov
errors Island, New York, suggesting that
the local guard establish a camp near
Washington. was rushed to Brig. Gen.
George II. Harries. commanding the Dis
trict of Columbia militia, and q reply re-
ceived yesterday indicated that Gen. Har-
ries did not look with much, favor upon
the dates suggested by the eastern divi
sion. when they could assign the regular
troops. He indicated that he would pre-
fer to have the encampment of his COM
mand some time in August. about the
time it was proposed to have the maneu
verS.
Lieut.. Col Parmerter, adjutant gen
eral. District of Columbia militia, upon
receipt of Gen. Harries' reply. immediate
~ sent message to the headquarters of
the eastern division outlining the gen.
erals wishes. A reply probably will be
received tomorrow.
The place of encampment is as Yet also
Undecided. although officers OF the local
guard have several camp sites in view
Much consideration is being given to a
camp site at Frederick, Md, and it is
declared that many of the local guards
men personally would prefer this selec-
tom Some time ago the Frederick
Chamber of Commerce wrote to the local
guard headquarters offering various in
ducements TO the guard TO make its
camp at that MARYLAND city. 1t offered
camp site free and gave a choice of two
camps. offered free water. and to install
ne water system free. and to construct
railroad siding right into the camp
GROUND.
Maj. Alfred P. Robbins quartermaster,
\. 6. D. c.. during the week wrote a let
ter to the chamber asking if this offer
still held good. In the event it does it
4ems more than probable that the Dis
riot soldiery will have its camp at that
= ace.
Nll during the past week there was
Eiuch uncertainty about the encamp-
lent of the National Guard OF the Dis
t.ict of Columbia this summer Plans
lad been going forward for the maneu-
vers with the regular army troops and the
organized militia of the states of PENN
s,1vania, Maryland Virginia and West
Virginia. with an encampment for the
District militia of five days just previous
to the beginning of the maneuyers. These
dates were set for the first part of
august. and many of the citizen soldiers,
2; is reported. mad planned to take their
-acation at that time. Then there came
number of available troops for maneuvers,
and finally the War Department was
rorced to withdraw its maneuver pro-
gram. After long wait to determine
just what was to be done, there came a
letter during last week from the head
CHARTERS of the eastern division at Gov
ernors Island, New York asking for an
expression from officers of the local Ma
tional Guard concerning a proposal to
nolN joint encampment of regular
troops and the militia of the District
Of Columbia. Maryland. Virginia and
West Virginia somewhere in northwestern
Virginia.
Hardly had this message been for
warded out OF the local headquarters TO
Brig. Gen. George II. Harries command
ing the District of Columbia Militia. be-
fore there came telegram resembling
the proposal contained in the letter for
the northwestern Virginia camp. and say
ing that the District Of Columbia Militia
would have to hold an encampment by
itself with the regular troops. The mes
sage contained "A request To select the
camp site. and to say whether the pro-
spective dates would be suitable. the tele-
gram containing the Information also that
regular troops would be available for
joint encampments beginning July /. and
would be assigned successfully to West
Virginia. Virginia. District of Columbia
and Maryland, each to get the troops for
ten days at time This would give the
regulars to the District beginning July 20.
This is considered to be too early in the
summer for the local National Guard, it
was declared However. il is necessary to
have the regulars TO make it a joint Ell
csmpment. and it is necessary for ii to
be a joint encampment in order to obtain
the naneuver funds This telegram i'm
mediately was forwarded to Gen. Harries.
When it became known that the maneu-
vers would not take place there were
many suggestions as TO where the en-
campment would be held. II is doubtful
il the local guard will go to Bolivar
Heights. near Harpers Ferry. W. Va. this
year. out Frederick, Md. where the or
sanizations from the District nave
ainped on5 year, was suggested.