The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1915-01-16
WILL RE0RGAN|zE MILITIA.
ID DEPARTMENT ASSURED THAT
MANNING WILL ACT.
40 Trouble Expected From Disband-
ing OF State Troops, as New Adj
ministratiOn Comes in Next Week.

Washington, Jan. 13.-'"The war
department will take no action until
the new governor comes in. The de-
partment thoroughly understands the
situation and there is no reason what
ever to assume that there will be any
serious trouble there" This was the
statement made here today by Gen.
Mills, chief of the division Of military
aHalrS of the war department.. when
asked as to the status Of conditions
regarding the order of Gov. Blease
disbanding the South Carolina troops.
There is great deal in this state
ment 1t means that with a new State
administration but q week away and
with the assurance that the new gov
ernor will undo what Gov. Blease has
just done in his order tlishanding the
militia the war department will take
absolutely no action regarding the
matter until the new governor is
sworn in.
The assurance that the militia will
be reorganized by Gov.-elect Manning
as soon as he takes office January 10,
was given in a statement here today
by Adjt. Gen. w. w. Moore. Mr..
Moore said the governor-elect has
told him to convey that assurance 10
war department officials.
Mr.. Moore will ask department Of
nclals tomorrow as to steps to take
regarding establishing the militia to
its former footing. He expressed con-
fidence that the situation would ad-
just itself satisfactorily Immediately
after the expiration Of Gov. Blease's
term Of Office.
The policy of the war department
is not to tear down and disrupt bux
to build up the State troops, making
them auxiliary to the regular army.
and with this in view there is but the
slightest chance of South Carolina
troops being permanently mustered
doubtless what the department has
been desiring ever since the trouble
with Coy. Blease began a year or
more ago.
Discussing the matter, Senator Till
man said today: Il think it an op-
perfume time for Gov. Manning to CO.
operate with the United States au-
thorities and have the militia take
an entirely new start and be thor
oughly reorgainzed. The State is now
charged with a good many thousand
dollars worth Of munitions and
arms that are lost and can never be
recovered, of every imaginable sort
of quartermasters' supplies too nu-
merous to mention, as we'll as obso-
lete ordnance and ordnance stores,
and l believe the war department will
be entirely friendly towards the pro-
posed reorganization and in starting
new slate.
In communication from the Sec
retary of war to Gov. Blease dated
July 6, 1914, Secretary Garrison said:
1T is hoped the State will take
early and effective steps to settle the
above mentioned property questions,
to generally reOrganize the militia in
manner that will assure an effective
and stable force to provide in the
future for prompt compliance with
the federal laws for the government
of the organized militia, and to pro-
vide for the care, safekeeping and ac-
| countability or government supplies
loaned to the militia of the State
'The State, however, must do its
share and the Legislature and Gov.
Manning should see to this. Gov.
! Blease's action instead Of being harm
fu,, as he no doubt intended it to be,
will result in great good to the States
military establishment.
"In the same letter above quoted
from. Secretary Garrison said:
"'When the organized militia Of
South Carolina is placed on a salts
factory basis the war department will
consider the withdrawal OF the re-
strictiOns of which you are Informed
in this communication and which are
effective on and after this date
| "Mr. Garrison's letter is on file in
the executive Office in Columbia, no
doubt, and Coy. Manning can read it
and find out the exact status from the
war departments view.
In starting new slate, which will
be necessary after the war depart
ment has received and receipted for
such arms and stores as arc turned
in, Gov. Manning can feel the salts
faction of having accomplished some
| tt .ng for the State without iucurrino