Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1915-07-27
Former Governor Lea Host
to Governor Miller and
Officers at Home
MEN GET PRACTICAL
PROBLEMS OF WARFARE

Special to THE EVENING JOURNAL.
CAMP MILLER, STATE RIFLE
RANGE, July Ex-Governor Miller ex-
pressed himself today as being greatly
pleased with the fine showing being
made by the First Regiment, Organized
Militia. in encampment here. He said
greater efficiency is being displayed than
at any previous camp TO his knowledge,
and he believes that Delaware's troops
viii compare favorably with those of
any other State, and excel many. He
said that it was due in a large part to
the work of the officers, who he said
were of the best, and also to the spirit
of cooperation everywhere in evidence
between the officers and men and an evil
dent desire on the part of all to bring up
the State militia to he highest point Of
efficiency The Governor also praised
the band, stating that it was up to it's
usual high standard.
| The Governor said that the sanitary
arrangements at the camp had become
practically ideal. He said it was impos-
sible to find even a cigarette box lying
about on the grass, and he believed that
with the present camp arrangements it
would be possible for the State militia
to be in camp an indefinite period with
out serious sickness appearing. ,
As soon az THE EVENING JOUR.
NAL arrived here yesterday afternoon
bringing the first news of the sinking of
the American snip Leelanaw by a Ger
man submarine, the camp became filed
with war talk There were some who
thought the incident might lead to war.
Governor Miller said he expected that
as usual he would receive numerous tele-
grams from newspapers in other States
asking him TO express an opinion as to
the proper course to pursue by this coun-
try. He stated that he always refused
to give any opinion whatever, believing
that the whole matter should be left to
one man. President Wilson.
Governor Miller and his staff were
the guests yesterday afternoon of For
rner Governor Preston Lea at his sum-
mer home, THE Orchards" not far
from camp. They were delightfully."- en-
tertained. Part of the time was spent
In discussing military affairs and for
mer State camps. Il was the general
opinion that the present was the best
greatly interested in the militia today
as he was when he was its comman-
der-in-chief. II is well known that he
gave the militia his greatest attention
then. The big day at camp Will be on
Thursday, when members of the Legis-
lature, State. county and city officers
throughout the State will witness the
militiamen in parade review and be
guests of Governor Miller at head
quarters. The day is known as Cover
nor's Day and the men are looking
forward to a large crowd.
Practical Work in Field.
The men in camp saw some real SER
vice today From 100 TO IL o'clock
they worked out some regimental
problems, which included occupation
Of a defensive position. location of sup
ports. flank guards, etc. outline of
trenches, clearings, obstacles, esti-
mating distances, assignment of tasks,
establishment of dressing stations
From 100 TO $50 o'clock this after
noon they we're given battalion in
struction in FIRE control and direction,
using blank ammunition and featur-
ing the use Of signals, advances, FIR
ing line. using blank ammunition
There VIII be guard mount at AIS
o'clock and regimental parade at $50
o'clock
The citizen soldiers got a touch OF
active service yesterday For FIVE
hours and a half, part in the morning
and part in the afternoon thev were
put through a strenuous drill under
the direct supervision Of Lieutenant
U. NJ. Diller, U. S. A.. inspector-in-
structor of the organization. The va
! rious drills we're under the supervi-
: sion OF the battalion commanders and
, the captains Of the eight companies.
c The drills comprised deployment un-
D der varied conditions, firing, using
signals and exercising fire direction