New-York tribune., 1916-07-20
BLISS APPROVES
NEW YORK TROOPS
Finds 69th, 14th and I'd
Ready for Fight or
FrOlic.
BY ROBERT Fl. ROHDE.

MeAllen, Tex, July 10 headquarters
9Th Field Division, u. S. A.).--The New
York National Guard, scarcely two
weeks on the border, but already
housed in sanitary camps and settled
/ down to the routine planned TO make
them fit for hot, hard service, passed
Major General Bliss's inspection with
/ flying colors to-day.
General Bliss, assistant chief OF stan
Of the United States Army, and per-
sonsl representative on his present tour
of President Wilson, had spent the
night at Mission. There he was waited
on early in the morning by Major Cen
eral John F. Organ, leading a pro-
visional squadron of cavalry as honor
escort.
The I'd, 14th and seth Infantry regi-
ments, comprising the 1st Brigade
were first inspected. The first two COM
mands were comfortably encamped. The
newly arrived seth, thanks to their pick
and shovel experience in the prepara-
tion of Camp Whitman, had gone along
with the work Of camp making so well
that an exclamation of praise was won
from the inspecting general.
But that hardly compensated for the
loss Of their commander, Colonel Louis
D. Conley, who was taking leave OF
his officers and men even as the Bliss
cavalcade trotted through camp.
Shortly after two major generals
had ridden westward toward McAllen
Colonel Conley and the staff and line
officers of the seth had farewell
luncheon in the Mission Hotel. 1t was
an occasion far from joyful. The voice
of Father Francis P. Duffy, chaplain
of the regiment and spokesman for the
officers, trembled more than once as
he addressed himself to Colonel
/ Conley.
1--WE can't bring ourselves to con-
slider this final parting, sir" he SAID
LET us call il an episode in your life
, that you are ordered to the rear-a
man fit to be at the front if ever a
man was. do not need to tell you
how Loyalty the Goth would have fol-
lowed YOU into action. Although we
cannot follow you home, 1T will be
your spirit that guides US:
The colonel sat with head bowed
profoundly affected.
at is neither necessary nor proper
for me to express an opinion on TINS
case" he replied after the officers had
toasted him. ~ can only say l am
glad have been able to leave the
regiment as ] do. for news that couid
not qualify physically came TO me as
a shock. But loyalty 70 the o9th is inc
foremost consideration. This evidence
NJ NV officers regards touches me
deeply-how deeply | cannot tell you
"Though may not be with you as
colonel. rest assured my interest in the
regiment does not end here. There is
one wish uppermost in my heart as
take leave of the 69th-may the officer
who succeeds me as your colonel be the
( sort of man who will not take IT amlss
! if come TO see how my boys are get
4 ting along"
The officers marched soberly 10 the
I station and sent a chorus OF cheers
/ and "God bless you!" after the after
noon train as il carried Colonel Conley
away. A few minutes later they were
cheering again, this time for Major
Michael T. Lynch, who is to be In tenn
porary command until a commander
I from the Outside" is chosen.
On the outskirts of McAllen, General
Bliss and General O'Rysn were met by
battery of field artillery, which fired
a salute of thirteen guns. The inspec-
tion of the McAllen camp was made IN
| jig time, for everything was, as it had
been for many days. in apple pie order
Practically all General Bliss was
called upon to do was to suggest a
Continued nj maze e.. column 8