Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-06-20
ALL OF MILITIA
NOT TO co SOUTH
Only Units Needed to Fill in
Gaps in Border Line to
Move at Present.
PROVISION FOR DRAFT
NOW UP TO CONGRESS
Thought to Be Little Objection on
Part of Most Guardsmen to
Answer Call to Mexico.

Part of Most Guardsmen to
Answer Call to Mexico.
At the War Department it is said tha
even when the mobilization OF the
militia is completed only such units VII
be ordered south as Gen. Funston de-
sires to fill the gaps in his 1,sO0-mile
guard line The remainder will rest or
their arms at the various mobilization
camps for the present, awaiting the
turn of events.
With this Indignation came also the
statement that the orders calling out
the militiamen were so framed as to
make it possible to compel the pres
ence at the border. at least, of every
man enrolled. They were summoned as
national guardsmen. in which status
they bear a distinct relation TO the led
eral government and by law are the
first source for securing volunteers who
have no connection with the states
they were also summoned as members
of the organized militia. and as such
cannot be used beyond the border,
though available for any duty within
the United States.
new law is applicable to every mem
Der of the National Guard or the Ma
tional Guard reserve. 1t cannot be
made retroactive, however. and all Ma
take the dual oath of enlistment under
the federal and state governments be-
fore they can become subject to its
operation.
Outcome Depends on Congress.
1t is believed here that there will be
little objection on the part of most of
the guardsmen. 1t is planned to eXer-
else the draft Immediately if Congress
adopts the resolution, and state SOL
diers who have taken the required oath
then will become federal soldiers. with
no connection whatever with the Ma
tional Guard or the organized militia.
They will be available for service in
Mexico without further legal formal
tiles.
On the other hand, those who may
refuse to take the oath and will not,
therefore. be subject to draft, will re-
main under federal control under the
portions of the old law, which still is
operative. They will be available for
guard duty in the United States along
the border if for nothing else, and
army officials feel the urgent need of
keeping them ready for that purpose.
The proposed resolution, it is un-
derstood. will authorize the President
to employ the armed forces of the
United States either in Mexico or along
the border for defensive purposes.
Such a provision would meet the OBJ
lection of those who hold that a suffi-
GENTLY clear authorization has not been
given for the purposes of section Ill
of the new army bill. providing that
drafting of National Guardsmen can be-
gin only after proper authorization has
been given by Congress for the en-
ployment of forces other than the
regular army. Legal officers of the war
Department desire to make certain that
no complications will arise later to
block enIcient use of the state troops
Ample Equipment on Hand.
ample equipment of all kinds is on
hand at the various depots of the
) my. Secretary Baker said today, to
I, jinpiete the outfits of all the guards
. n called for service. A sufficient
ppiy of held artillery and machine
} ms and enough ammunition for any
:: hting that might occur also is on
ID.
% cunt all OF the National Guard
= ally and supply gun teams for the
Jatteries. Inc large excess held
4 Irmy remount stables for the needs
,he regulars will fall short of pres
reeds by many thousands. Some of
. ie states have purchased horses for
'rejr mounted troops and artillery, in
<I- cases the cavalry uses privately
med mounts. and in many cases
:-.e busy working out the number that
must be supplied and the quickest way
OF procuring them.
Another step taken at the War De-
partnent was the calling out Of doctors
q TIE Medical Reserve Corps to exam
Inc Euardsfnen for muster into the federal
service. The department will insist upon
the high physical standards of the regu-
lar army In some states that already is
required and there will be little delay
In others there is reason to believe that
men incapable of arduous military sery-
Ice have been enrolled for the purpose
mum strength necessary for federal rec
ignition and participation in federal an.
preparations.
Many Guardsmen Unfit,
II is reported that 1850 men of the
New Mexico National Guard, called OIL,
r"me weeks ago. were found unsuited
for federal service. Only three com
panies from that state. It is said. have
been mustered in up to date, the Others
awaiting recruitment to the REQUIRED
minimum of sixty-five men.
The pension board has written Secre.
tary Baker congratulating him on the
TACT that physical standards for en-
bstment have not been lowered in the
regular army because of the difficuItv
In getting men. The examination Of a
Ruardsmen has been ordered to pro,ect
Inc pension rolls from undue inflation
No additional orders have been sen,
20 the state troops and il Is said mons
VIII De sent to any units until n has
completed muster into the federal
service. AS fast as that work Is &C.
complfshed. Gen. Funston will be in.
formed that q given number of in.
fantry. cavalry or artillery troops ars
available for his use. He will desi1.
male the places on the border to which
he desires forces of each arm sent
The War Department then will desis.
nate the troops TO go and arrange 10,
their prompt transportation.
Troops Needed Not Known.
There is nothing to indicate how man,
troops will be required Immediately. al
though in the event OF an open breach
with the Mexican government the Who'll,
force probably would be sent to genera
fnobiilzation camps at suitable point,