The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1914-06-17
DlElsE WOULD EXACT PROMISE
DOES NOT WANT MILITIA SENT
FROM AUGUSTA TO MEX.
Executive Says That II Troops Are to
He Sent They Must Leave from
Homes-Wsnts Garrison to Give
xrOurlse Before He Will Allow
Them tn Go ON Encampment.

Columbia, juno 12.-GOv. Blease
this morning dispatched a telegram
to the Department of the East. United
States army. asking IL their telegram
OF Juno 10 to the Adjutant General
hero meant that tho troops Of South
Carolina could hold an encapS1hent
n this State or 60 to Augusta. Ga,
xith the 9th division. just as they
preferred. The governor also Asked
the Department Of the East to prom
ise him IL tho troops went to Augusta
that they would not bo sent to service
In Mexico without being returned to
this State to mobilize. and give them
the right OF exercising their right Of
volunteering.
A copy Of the telegram was wired
to Lindiey M. Garrison. secretay Of
War at washinston.
Asked why he wanted the promise
of the federal authorities not to use
the militia for service In Mexico or
send them direct there from the en-
campment at Augusta. IL such they
wished. without first allowing the
troops to mobilize In this State. Gov.
Blease said ne did this to take care of
any emergency or guard against the
possible contingency of the South
Carolina troops being sent direct from
Augusta to service on tho Mexican
frontier without their full knowledge
and consent.
'h y Q boys want to 60 to Mexico
! want them to co." said the COVER
nor. declaring that all he wanted was
full protection for the troops to ex-
erctse their privilege Of going. and
not be rushed OF without giving them
1ynsr spportunity Of voiuntesrsaS~Nf
making the decision untrammelled
and without compulsion. He said
that once the troops were beyond tho
borders Of this state his Jurisdiction
over them ceased. and IL the war de-
partment took notion to send them
to patrol the border direct from Au-
gusta they could be sent without con-
sulting the desires OF the enlisted
men.
The commander-in-chie empha
si1ed his declaration that he was not
putting any obstacle In the way of
the militia Of this state being used
for service In Mexico IL the boys
wanted to go. All he wanted Is rs
he explained In his telegram to the
Department Of the East: IF they en-.
camp In Augusta. will you promise
mo that II they are to be placed In
service in Mexico. that you will FIRST
allow them to return to their own
state and mobilibze therein and tha,
you will not order them direct from
the Augusta camp to duty in Mexico
or elsewhere without first allowing
them to return to their own State
and to exercise their right of vol.
unteering."
Whether the South Carolina militia
VIII hold an encampment within the
borders OF their own state. or take
part In the joint camp Of the 9th
division at Augusta, Ca, depends on
the Information from the Department,
or the East and the decision of the
governor.
The following Is a copy Of the
telegram sent to the Department of
the East. copy Of which was wired
to Secretary Of War Garrison also:
"Hon. w. A. Simpson. Adjutant
General. Department of the East.
Governors Island. n. Y: Your wire
OF June 10 to Adjutant General of
this State. as follows:
"'Early reply desired to telegram
sth instant. whether South Carolina
troops will participate onCampmen,
Augusta or hold encampment within
that state. War department urges
participation all troops 9th division
Joint camp Augusta
Does or hold encampment with
In that State mean that IL our troops
rreter they can hold their own en-.
campment within South Carolina, and
not participate In joint camp mt
Augusta? Is IL optional with our
troops to either encamp at Augusta
or hold encamT ,1ent within this
state? IL they encamp I'm Augusta
will you promise me that Al tbey are
to be placed In service In Mexico that
you will first allow them To return To
their own state and mobilize therein.
and that you will not order them di-
rect from the Augusta camp To duty
I'm Mexico or elsewhere without first
allowing them to return To their own
state and to exercise their right Of
volunteering?
Cole l.. Bleasc. Governor"