Daily Kennebec journal., 1916-06-24

BUSINESS was running ike CfOch"oih
on Friday at the adjutant generals Of
flee at the State House, large part OF
the activities in National Guard circles
having been transferred to the State
grounds. Camp Keyes, but Adjutant Gen
eral Geo. Mel. Presson and Major
Charles E. Davis were about as busy as
anyone could be.
They are now making tentative plans
for recruiting in the larger towns Of the
State which are not now represented in
the Guard. Many young men In these
places have displayed an eagerness to en-
list but have not had the opportunity. The
plans also include the larger towns of
Aroostook county where there is already
much sentiment in favor of the formation
Of infantry companies. The plans contem-
plate the establishment of recruiting sta
tons at Belfast, Eastport, Bar Harbor,
Old Town, Gardiner, Caribou, Presque
Isle, Fort Fairfield. Fort Kent and Van
Buren,.
The State authorities feel that it is up
to the inner towns to supply the mobile
troops of infantry and in this plan OF
campaign the Coast Guard towns and cit
les and those places which would natu-
rally come into Coast Guard territory
will not be included. The recruiting sta
tions will probably be for the most part
of off vrhn offer
themselves for service. as the regular
National Guard officers are practically all
occupied either with their commands at
the mobilization camp or at the home re-
cruiting stations of the company.
Capt Harnld Leon Pepper. retired. OF
Waterville is among those officers on the
retired list who have offered themselves
for service and he will undoubtedly be
placed in charge of the recruiting office
at one of these large stations. Capt. Pep
per was in conference with Adjutant Cen
eral George Mel. Presson Friday after
noon in regard to the matter. Capt. Pep
ner. who was for several years in com
mand of Company H of Waterville. vas
considered one of the ablest company
commanders of the Guard
Captain James r. bdsieH dh" '7cOoiiu
Lieut. Fred S. Rand. both retired and
both Of Augusta, have also rendered their
services to the department.
The matter of securing the necessary
horses and mules for the Maine troops
has been brought to the attention of the
state military authorities by the follow
ing telegram received Friday by Governor
Curtis and by him communicated to Ad-
jutant General Presson:
Governors Island, New York.
June %, 1915.
To the Governor of Maine:
Depot quartermaster. Front Royal. Wiz
ginia. has been directed to advertise for
animals for troops Of your State Please
direct all bidders to communicate direct
with him. Bids will be opened by him at
noon, June 2sth. inst. Signed (simpson).
The Coast Artillery and Naval Reserves,
it was learned Friday at the adjutant
generals office, are anxious to get into
the active service and the feeling Is
strong, especially among the enlisted men.
of finding some way of enlisting In the
infantry branch of the National Guard
Such a proposition is being very much
discouraged by the federal war depart
ment and navy department and also by
the adjntant generals department of the
State of Maine The reason for such ac-
ton on the part of the war department
is said to be that the Coast Artillery
compan nies are to be enlisted to war
strength Immediately.
1t is generally inferred here that the
Coast Artillery will also be called to the
federal service shortly along with the
End Regiment. Not only would the Coast
Artillery be the arm of service to be
depended upon in case Of any trouble
with European countries but there Is
possibility that their services may be
needed before the Mexican trouble Is
ended.