Evening star., 1915-12-16
SAYS j. S. MUST DEPEND
/. ON ITS CITIZEN SOLDIERS
Representative Dyer Also Asserts
Country Is in Bad Shape to Pro-
tect Itself Against Attack.
Addresses officers and Men of the
National Guard on Occasion OF
Distribution of Medals.

Asserting that the United States Is In
/ very poor condition to protect Itself
against the attacks of any foreign pow
er and that the country, as it has al
ways done before. will have to fall
back on its citizen soldiery for help.
Representative L. C. Dyer of Missouri
last night addressed the officers and
men of the National Guard of the Dis
trict of Columbia in Convention Hall.
The occasion was the annual presenta-
tion of prizes and insignia for the tar
get competitions and the medals for
proficiency in the regular target prac-
tice.
The entire Sd Infantry was mustered
in the drill hall, augmented by mem
bers of the other arms of the National
Guard who were entitled to participate
in the distribution of prizes and medals.
Brig. Gen. William E. Harvey, COM
manding the District of Columbia
militia, introduced the speaker and
told of the latter's service with the
1st District of Columbia Volunteer In
fantry in the Spanish American war
He also spoke of Representative Dyer's
interest in the welfare of the local
militia, particularly his efforts to Sc
cure "A suita BILE armory for the guard.
Representative Dyer said he was
glad he had an opportunity of serving
with the District militia in the Spanish
war as that short service had fitted
him to take an active part in the
great discussion in Congress on the
matter of preparedness.
Favors Preparedness.
Il am in favor of preparedness" he
said. Il recently made a visit to Hawaii
to look into the Notifications there.
After seeing them and those on the
continent, l want to tell you that we
are in a very poor condition to pro-
tect ourselves. If we should become
engaged in war with any great power
we would find ourselves in a very serf-
Gus condition. We would have to fall
back. we have in the past, on the
National Guard and volunteers.
you men know better than any one
else how difficult it is to train men
and fit them for service in short
time. Therefore, I shall feel bound to
do every thing / can to support the
army and the National Guard.
"In the states the National Guards
are splendid bodies. and the District
has a splendid National Guard organ
ization. I shall not give my help, how
ever. to any measure which does not
provide adequate support for the Ma
tional Guard. Service in the National
Guard makes men out of all who
serve IN 1t. 1t is great help. 1t not
only makes them better soldiers, but
fits them for better service in civil
life.
Il will do nothing" he said, that will
in any way hinder the National Guard
will vote for a pay bill for the Ma
tional Guard, and for any other meas
ures which will come to the assistance
of the militia organizations.
''I trust that the administration will
see to it that there is established in
the National Capital suitable armory
for SO splendid an organization as the
National Guard of the District of Co
lurnbia."
Medals Presented to Men.
Following his speech. Representative
Dyer presented the medals to the men.
resimental dress parade was fea-
ture of the occasion. Capt Edwin W.
Fullam, adjutant of the Sd Infantry,
published orders to the effect that
drills and assemblies would be discon-
tinued between December 10 and Janu-
ary 8, except Officers School, which
would be held as usual tomorrow.
Dancing followed the formal cere-
monies The officers of the brigade and
their friends were the guests of Gen.
Harvey and his staff at a buffet sup
per served in the generals Office in the
armory.