The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-06-20
Topeka Contingent Pitches
Tents at the Fair Grounds.
RECRUITING OFFICES BUSY
Preparations to En- Train on a
Short Notice.
State Troops to Be Enlisted to
Total of 5000.


circles today indicate clearly that
Kansas guardsmen may see active SER
vice on the Mexican border at a very
early date. Activities in offices of
Charles L Martin, adjutant general;
indicated that every move was being
made preparatory to an active cam
paign. 1t is believed the Kansas troops
will be removed to the border next
week
Orders were issued by General Mar
tin today for the removal of Bat
terry A of Topeka, to Fort Riley Fri
day morning. The Topeka guards
men will be moved by special train
over the Union Pacific. Thirteen cars
have been chartered to carry members
of the battery and their equipment
kilograms received by General Mar
tin today indicated that supplies,
equipment and provisions were being
rushed to Fort Riley from Rock Is
land, Ill. These supplies will be avail
BILE when members of the state guard
arrive Friday With the orders for en-
trainment of troops, equipment stored
in the sub-basement of the state house,
were today loaded on cars and sent to
Fort Riley. Four cars were required
to carry the equipment.
Colonel Rain Goes Ahead.
! Field officers from both Kansas
Thursday and formal preparations
will be made for the troopers. Colonel
r. Neil Rain, assistant adjutant gen.
eral, left this afternoon for Fort Riley
and will direct the work from that
point. General Martin may leave
with guard officers and members of
Battery A, arriving at the fort Friday
| afternoon.
| Rumors today became persistent to
the effect that the Kansas troops
would be held at Fort Riley, but a few
days-probably less than a week. No
! official q N
source, but among many of the men
familiar with conditions, there is a de-
cided opinion that the federal govern
ment will transport the Kansans to
! the Mexican border as soon as ar
rangements can be completed.
National guardsmen in every local
company in Kansas began active mill
tary training today under direction of
Charles 1. Martin, adjutant general.
The work which started today at fair
grounds, city parks and public squares,
is the initial move in the mobilization
of the state troops GuardSnen went
into camp under orders from their
commanding officers and will be busy
with military duties pending final or
ders to entrain.
Members of Battery A, Topeka en-
! camped this morning at the state fair
| grounds Mere mud and results of an
early morning rain did not perturb the
soldiers in the slightest degree. They
thusiasm and spent a busy morning
pitching tents and preparing for the
heavy drill service that must follow
the mobilization
Recruiting offices. stationed on the
fair grounds, brought many Topekans
and war adventures TO the scene OF
encampment More than twenty-ff
applications for enlistment were re-
ported this morning by officers in
charge of the work. Capt. J. NJ. Hite
d<s<zl l., v~cnrl het
enlisted to full war footing before the
men are entrained
General Martin Busy Man
Battery A is but one of the sorrows
of General Martin, however. He is
busy directing the affairs of com.
panies of artillery and infantry in ali
sections of the state and he spent ar
almost sleepless night after returnins
from the officers school at For
Leavenworth- General Martin was ir
conference with army officers the
greater portion of the night Detailed
plans for the prompt moving of troops
, were discussed.
This morning General Martin stated
that he expected to direct all Kansa.
: guardsmen to entrain not later thar
} Friday. A formal order will be .ssIIet
during the day.
, 1t is the belief of army officers tha.
the Kansas troops will not be ordered
to the Mexican border for two o
| permit the establishment of trainin.
| quarters and strenuous daily drills Al
of the men Will be immunized agains
Typhoid while at Riley.
2 All Under Rush Orders
2 Plans for the removal of troop
/ from local stations were outlined t,
} officers Monday, General Martil
2 and the guard officers started TO
their homes after the short session o
e the officers school Troops will b.
held awaiting telegraph orders 70
| their removal to Fort Riley Will
the army officers are busy with thei
: detailed plans for departure to tn
e mobilization point, railway official
: are rushing orders in an effort to pro
[ vide train equipment and servic
when the men entrain.
J. General Martin will probably re
a main in Kansas when the troops ar
v sent to the front, unless he should b
o directed by the war department t
5 take an active hand in the Mexica
! Continued on Page Two.)