The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-07-22
Shortcomings of State Troops
Magnified by Knockers.
REGULAR ARMY UNExCELLED
As Good as Any in Europe, Says
War Correspondent.
But Retains Old Antipathy
Against National Guard.
BY WILLyAM q. sHEPHERD.

San Antonio, Texas, July ga de-
liberate. well defined plan exists in
the United States to prove the nation
al guard scheme a failure
Americans may expect shortly q
definite. subtle newspaper campaign
against the national guard systerl.
Defects will be pointed out and every
little hitch will be magnified. The
American mind will be slowly pois-
oned, If possible. against the entire
federalizcd guard plan
Action of the Merchants association
In New York to recall the New York
militia, on the basis that mobilization
or the national guard as part of the
regular army has been a failure, has
been received in certain circles here
with utmost approval.
Magnify State Troops Faults.
All supporters OF huge federal
army find hundreds of faults with the
guardsmcn encamped here. Before
the state troops were called out these
federal army supporters were able to
deliver only theories in support of
their arguments but now that these
troops lie stretched out along the bor-
der for them to examine. they dis
cover many facts and incidents which
are being used in certain portions OF
the press. perhaps unwittingly, in an
effort to persuade Americans to the
belief that the national guard Is an
absolute failure.
While 1 find the personnel of our
regular army equal to anything in Eu-
rope and ready for any trouble, never
theless, / discover they naturally
enough want everybody else in the
United States to be a soldier and are
In aggressive favor of general con-
scription of all Americans, between Is
and 40, said conscription to go into
effect. if possible, not later than to-
morrow
Volunteer Helpers Bother.
The presence here in San Antonio
and along the border of representa-
tives OF various organizations that sent
heip to the troops in philanthropic
or patriotic spirit will be used as an
argument that the state troops de-
pended upon private assistance There
are large number of these wouidbe
helpers. Some of them are discover
ing real need, which the war offices
OF the armies III Europe would supply
the troops without dependence upon
the public. There is a feeling here
tnat many or them might well stay at
nome Some of them are even looked
upon as anxious to prove the national
guard is so worthless that it needs out
side aid.
The same interests which were he
nino the universal training plan some
months ago have come to life again
and are renewing their efforts bv at
tacking the national guard Newspsper
correspondents here are becoming
aware of the plan and carefully weigh
every story they hear.
That the regular army should sun
port conscription is only 10 be ex-
pected. In truth regular army Off
GERS In growing numbers are appear
ing on the streets in San Antonio in
civilian clothes in order to escape be-
ing taken for guardsmen.
Same Old Army Crouch.
This is the same ancient rrudee
prevalent In every army In the world
even in the trenches. but the army will
have little hand in the present mr.
pose OF certain interests to prove the
national guard worthless These in
terests have spies among charity and
phflanthropic workers. 1t cannot be
doubted that some of these charity
workers even go so far as to expect to
see the army rolls in Headquarters. i'm
order to gain data ostensibly for char
ity.
The national guard isn't perfect but
II is not so bad as the public may be
led to believe If credence is placed ir
the conscriptionists' reports