Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-06-17

The report given out by some ire
sponsible party to the effect that Ad-
jutant General George Mel. Presson
had announced that there would be no
National Guard infantry encampment
this year was absolutely without
foundation and has caused the depart
ment no end of annoyance and bother
in denying it, Said Adjutant General
Presson Friday afternoon:
1.-THE announcement by the Kenne-
bee Journal Friday morning that the
Coast Artillery exercises would be
postponed to a later date. to be deter
mined by the passage of the military
bill now before Congress, was correct
and was the only interview or state
ment given out by myself or anyone
connected with the office
THE statement that the infantry
encampment would not be held this
year is false. The report is dated
Portland, but neither Capt. Niles or
myself on our way home from Wash
ington-and last Wednesday night, not
Thursday-talked with anyone in Port
land, made any such statement or
thought of such a thing. The reason,
also, That Congress has failed to make
an appropriation is wrong. The mat
ter stands just this way and you may
say so, in addition to what we told
you about the Coast Artillery.
1.-The Maine National Guard infan-
try encampment will be held this year
but, like the conditions governing the
postponement of the Coast Artillery
exercises, it will be at a little later
date than at first planned. 1t was
| intended to open the encampment at
Augusta about Aug. IA, but the date
will be set ahead, to await the pass
age of the military bill now before
/ Congress and the date will also be ar
ranged so as not to conflict with the
Coast Artillery later date.
This yarn about the cancellation of
the muster was, no doubt. due to some
misunderstanding on the part of some
one, but it has caused US no end of
annoyance and trouble. There has
been no doubt at any time about the
muster being held, but we are obliged,
of course every year to await the ac-
ton of Congress with the appropria-
ton bill-and it so happens that this
year Congress is little behind, from
our military viewpoint"
National Guard Notes.
|. A reception to Col. Charles G. Nor
ton, 5th Regiment. L. s. Infantry, is
being arranged by the surviving Of
ficers of the old 1st Maine Regiment
| of 1898. Information has been re-
Ceived to the effect that Col. Morton
expects to visit Portland for week or
ten days during the month Of July.
! Col Morton served during the Span
| ish War as lieutenant colonel of tho
LIST Maine and is held in high esteem
by all of those who served with
him. Prior to 1898 he was instructor
of the National Guard companies OF
Maine and it was due greatly to his
abilities that the regiment held such
high standard of efficiency during
the Spanish War. Some years ago
Col Morton was detailed to the Pan
anna Canal zone, and this will be his
first visit to Maine since that time.
AS his old comrades are DESTROYS of re
newng their friendship and at the
same time showing their esteem of Col
Morton, it is planned to take advan
tage of his visit to tender him re-
ception.
| Captain E. w. Niles, U. s. A, was
in Portland Friday or official business
connected with the Coast Artillery.
Company A, I'd Reg. Me. Inf, n. G.
S. NJ, of Dexter and Co. F of Dover
will today attend and participate In
the Centennial exercises at Guilford.
The infantry companies and the ma
chine gun company from Bangor will
join in the Fourth of July celebration
at Old Town.
The Coast Artillery companies of
Portland will take part in the Lewis
ton July 4 preparedness celebration.