New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-08-29
Baker Changes Mind and
Ohio, Kentucky, Vermont
Units Get Command.
$4,000 MORE EXPECT
TO GO IN FEW DAYS
War Secretary's Juggling
of Mexican Situation
Amuses Army Men.

From The TrlJunN BlrfAl
Washington, Aug. 2S.-Secretary OK
War Baker changed his mind to-day
about governing militia movements ac-
cording to the railway strike situation
and ordered the National Guard units
Of Ohio, Vermont and Kentucky-to-
falling 10000 men-now in the state
camps, to proceed at ohce to the border.
This order revoked the order issued on
August IA, just two weeks ago, which
was revocation of orders issued on
August IL.
The understanding among army ON
GERS is that Secretary Baker intends to
effect a complete mobilization Of the
National Guard before the order goes
out TO disband. Some states. notably
Southern states, have not sent single
man to the border because of their in
ability to recruit their companies to the
minimum peace strength of sixty-hVe
men. Il is understood that in few
days a new order will send the entire
remainder of the modified militia TO
the frontier.
The converting Of the MexicsnAmer-
lean Commission at Portsmouth, n. b.,
during the week of September is ex-
pected to De the signal for withdraw,
ing Pershing's troops from Mexico, and
when this is accomplished the demoblli-
Eat on of the militia will follow.
Secretary Bakers order to-day caused
amusement in army circles, because the
Secretary is believed 70 have been made
the victim of circumstances which he
could not control. on August - he
sent out the identical order that has
been repeated to-day, with the addition
that the militia of all the other states
was to go TO the border as soon as /.
could be got ready.
Strike Menace Disregarded.
On the day this order was issued
the prospect of settling the railroad
strike was extremely dark, but the
Secretary thought it best not to be in
fuenced by this condition.
He left the city after issuing the
order, and two days later telegram
from Funston pointed 10 the difficulty
of feeding any more troops on the Dor
der in case OF a strike. The strike
situation has greatly improved since
Secretary Baker sent his order, but
Acting Secretary Ingraham, disregard
ing this fact and scorning 10 ask the
advice Of the White House or of high
Administration officials, rescinded it in
compliance with Funstons hint.
Great credit is given Secretary
Baker for the way he took the blame
for Mr.. Ingraham's slip. Mr.. Baker
even suffered delay of two weeks in
his plan of completing mobilization
before beginning to demoblize, in
order that the revocation of Mr.. In
graham's order might not seem a re-
buke. The most amusing part OF the
story, officers believe, is the fact that
Mr.. Bakers new order to move the
troops again falls on a day when the
strike situation is grave.
The explanation of this last fact
given in official quarters, is that the
War Department has now decided "a
take no account of the strike prospects
whatever. Army movements from now
on. it is declared, will be governed by
purely military considerations.
5000 Guardsmen Left in Camps.
There remain approximately 13,00C
guardsmcn, scattered through many
states, who arc not affected by to-day's
order. They also were under orders
for the bordef two weeks ago, but the
suspension so far has not been re-
voked for them.
The original order sending south.
ward all troops called into the Federal
service was issued by the War Depart
ment in order that the divisional units
along the international line might be
filled up, and also that those regiments
which were not ready 10 go in the first
rush might share in the training as
soon as they could be fully equipped.