The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1916-07-21
l.ST REGIMENT
FUTURE IN HANDS
OF GOV. HATFIELD
Authorities at Washington
Can Do Nothing About
It.
THAT KANAwHA TRIP
Officially Nothing Was
Known About it at Ma
tional Capital.
iTHkT KANAWHA TRIP
BY CHARLES BROOKS SMITH.

WASHINGTON. D. c., July I'll
The Second regiment Of the West Vir-
ginia National Guard modified at Ka-
nawha City will be ordered to the
Mexican border Just as soon as 1t Is
recruited to the strength required.
That fact was authoriatively given out
at the War Department today. There
has been no change as to what dispo'
sltion to make OF the regiment. II II
can get itself up to the requisite num-
ercial strength, It is most certainly 60
ing to be sent away to the Rio Grande.
Persistent reports in circulation
among officers and men OF the flrst
West Virginia Regiment that reg
.tment Is going to be disbanded by GOV.
ernor Hatfield us commander,in-chief
have caused protests to be sent here
from those concerned. II there Is any
truth in the reported intention to dis
band the First regiment, nothing can
be done in Washington about 1t. That
is matter which rests entirely IN the
hands of Governor Hatfield.
The complaining First regimenters
object to being ousted from the organ
ized military service now. because
when the new national militia law goes
into effect officers will he on regular
annual salaries from the federal gov
ernment. and privates will be on
maid basis, as we'll. They allege that
the First regiment Is being discrimina.
ted against In favor OF the Second and
there evidently Is n good deal OF feel-
ing aroused in the First regiment.
X When the new law goes into erect.
according to the plans worked out and
definitely settled upon. West Virginia
will be required to furnish Tor the ma
stionalized militia, the following:
One regiment Of 1860 men.
Two troops of cavalry OF 200 men:
One battalion OF field artillery or
1882 men. - ooe
i Two companies OF engineers OF S2S
men,.
one sanitary or ambulance company
\ 70 men.
b Or a total Of 1899 men beside the
one regiment Of 1860 men.
The war department claims to have
no Official knowledge that the First
regiment was ordered to mobilize at
Kanawha City and that later it was
ordered back home. In their protests
sent in some OF the First regiment OF.
iflcers assert that the First regiment
was taken to Kanawha City to be used
TO recruit the Second to war strength,
Yand to form the various other auxili'
aries which are required by the new
law, and which will have to be met
when the president proclaims the
new law effective. which he has not
not vet done. While this. II true,
might not be entirely disagreeable to
number Of the privates OF the First,
the officers are against It, seeing that
they would lose their commissions
and nice pay which Is to 60 to them
under the new law, go to others-the
more favored officers OF the Second
regiment. Hence. their kick to wash
ington, which, as has been stated.
Washington is helpless to act on II
action were thought to be necessary.
Regular army officers at the war
z department who are in charge OF the
national guard arm Of the service do
not hesitate to predict that the First
regiment is going out OF existence as
a regiment and the Second is to be
used as nucleus to build up new
system In West Virginia under the new
law, using the First regiment as a
source OF recruits as far as possible to
do so. They say that Is the way they
read the signs.
Il was learned at the war depart.
Sment today that an application had
been filed in behalf Of former Adju-
tant General C. D. Elliott, who desires
commission as colonel Of volunteers
IN case call for volunteers Is issued.
In that event, and General Mills Is
sstill In charge Of national guard af-
fairs at the war department 1t Is be.
f1ieved by those conversant with the
situation that General Elliott would
be one Of the first to receive a COM
mission. General Mills Is known to
have the highest regard for General
Elliott as soldier commander. He
paid high and profuse compliment
TO General Elliott when the applica-
tion for him was presented by an offi-
cial friend. General Mills also paid "a
high compliment to the standing and
the efficiency Of the State militia un--
der the Elliott regime.
General Elliott's friends here an
nounce that he is now at Mount Nor
rison, Col. where he went for the
benefit Of his health. He has written
them that his health has been much
improved since he went there.
DEATH OF AN INFANT.