The Washington times., 1916-08-20
Regiment They Are to Replace
at Bisbee. Has Begun to
Break Camp.
GENERAL SITUATION GLOOMY
Mental Attitude Of Militiamen
Changed From Strong Hope
to Dissatisfaction.

Only one ray Of hope remained today |
to sustain the ambitions Of the District
militiamen for service on tho Mexican
border.
But for the fact that they know the
Twsnty-second Infantry, u. 8. A., which
they are under orders to relieve at Bis
bee. Ar1z.. has already begun to break
camp and move away, the local citizen
sildiers say they would be without any
hope whatsoever Of leaving their mobi-
lixation camp near Fort Myer.
Upon the arrival of Battery b. Field
Artillery. at Bisbee. Captain Butler. COM
manding the Twenty-second Infantry.
ordered his men to break camp. Captain
Butler either believed the District SOL
diers now at Bisbee constitute a suffi-
cisnt force to guard the town. or expect
cd the Third Infantry within q short
time, according to the officers at the To-
cal camp.
"The District militia 10 under posi-
tive orders to relieve the Twenty
second at Bisbee" said Capt Horace
p. Hobbs today. "As soon as the
regiment has the necessary equipment
will report 1t in readiness to 60 to
Bisbee and relieve the Twenty-sec-
ond."
Fear Strike Negotiations.
As against this single hope. how
yer. the militiamen had before them
the fact that the threatened railroad
strike is still in allegiance. and Gem
eral Funston has recommended the
withdrawal Of General Pershing's
soldiers were inclined to think today
that the negotiations over tho threat
ened strike might drag along for
several weeks and hold them In camp
until after General Pershing's column
had reached the border. Practically
none of the local citizen soldiers be-
lieve they will be sent to the border
If Gensra, ,re Persh,nss large forge rn !:
Arizona. and New Mexico border
points.
two months today. having pitched their
tents near Fort Myer on the afternoon
OF June q. The mental attitude of the
men. today Is In strong contrast with
marched from their ar%ory with their
enthusiasm at the highest pstth. All
OF them were eager and anxious to go
to the border and believed that within
south to see actual war service. Today.
however. because OF the many disap-
pointments. changes OF dates for their
departure and combination OF circum-
pTeNeutiHe tncH kcttiHs Oh
they are restless. dissatisfied and are
outspoken in their discomfort. :.
The men say they want to know
whether they are going to the border
how to govern their business and per-
sonal affairs. Many of them said they
believed they would be sent to the bor-
der in June and would be returning to
Washington to resume their civil occu-
pations by fall. They add that II there
is still chance of their Seeing service
on the border they will Stick" but the
latest information they have received
or ten days before they will learn
whether or not they are going to Bisbee,
Week Needed Yet.
Captain Hobbs says 1t will take at
least week for the regiment to be
properly equipped. He will then report
It in readiness to the Department of
the East. 1t will then be up to Maj.
Gen. Leonard Wood to decide whether
they are needed on the border.
number of college students and pros.
going to the border and filed applica-
tions for discharges from the militia
order dated AuguAt 2. The existence of
come generally known among the men
in the regiment until a few days ago.
Since then applications for discharges
Deeh hltu Dy u score OF more IneI.
=. terry 4, Field Artillery. said today he
needed but two men to complete his
minimum complement and hoped to en-
four hours. Captain Nogt is anxious
to take his command to the border to
join Battery B. and believes that when
he has the men his battery will be
ordered South.
Troop A. First Separate Cavalry. has
received all of its horse equipment and
will be In readiness to move from the
mobilization camp within the next day
or two. Every effort will be made al
the War Department to dispatch the
battery OF artillery and troop OF cav
airy to the border this week.
Field Day Planned.
Gen. William L. Harvey, Mrs. Harvey
and Lieut.. A. l.. Smith, chaplain OF tn,
Third Regiment. are cooperating n
arranging an athletic field day and tet
dansant at Fort Myer next Saturday af
ternoon to raise funds with which Il
relieve the families of members Of th'
militia.
Chaplain Smith said the infantrymen
cavalrymen, and artillerymen woul,
contest In wide variety of athlete
events for the championship Of tn
camp. A handsome medal and casl
prize will be given the winner Of tn
largest number of events. The program
lar drills by the infantrv,roN
men. and artillerymen of the militia
and troop OF regular ca,..r. 49,.
the Second Regiment. stationed at For
MyeT, The hat will be passed ,durin
will be charged for the tea dansant,
Chaplain Smith will conduct religion
services in the Y. NJ. C.: 4. tent at tn
mobilization camp at 7:So o'clock to