The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1916-06-20
MECHANICS VOLUNTEER SERVICES
IN EVENT Of WAR WITH ME- XIC0


every nan enrolled They were sum
/ inoned as National Guardsmen. in
which status they bear a distinct rela-
tlon TO the federal government and By
law are the first source 10 secure vol
unteers 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.
The draft provision OF the new law
Is applicable TO every member OF the
National Guard or the national guard
| reserve. II cannot be made retro
active and all national guardsmen
must voluntarily take the dual oath
OF enlistment under the federal and
state government before they can be-
come subject TO its operation.
II Is believed here that there will be
little objection on the part OF most of
the gardsmen. II Is planned to ex-
ercise the draft Immediately IL con
gress adopts the resolution and state
! soldiers who have taken the required
oath then will become federal soldiers.
with no connection whatever With the
National Guard OF the oragnized mill
ia They VIII be available for ser
vice IN Mexico without further legal
lformalties.
Are Still Available.
On the other hand, those who NAV
refuse 20 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 stiIl IL
operative. They will be available for
guard duty along the border N for
nothing else. and army oficials FEEL
me urgent need of keeping them ready
Tor that purpose
The resolution. II Is understood also
VIII authorize the President TO employ
me armed forces OF the United States
e en- IN Mexico or along the border
| lot defensive purposes. Such a pro
vision would meet the objection of
] NOSE who hold that sufficiently
clear authorization has not been given
lior the purposes OF section III Of tho
new army bill. providing that drafting
% national euardsmen can begin only
! siter proper authorization has been
gwen ny congress for the employment
OF FORCES other than the regular army
9 l.eEal onicers OF the war departuent
desire 10 make certain that no com
blcations will arise later to block ef.
h0ient use OF the state troops.
Ample Equipment
J. Ample equipment OF all kinds "a m
hSnd 20 the various denots Of the
army. Secretary Baker said TODAY. TO
complete the outfits Of all the guards
men called Tor service. 4 sufficient
supply OF field artillery and machine
suns ana enough ammunition for any
hand
|. The most pressing need will De
horses TO mount all OF the National
I'iiard cavalry and supply gun teams.
: Tor the field batteries The large
excess held in army remount stables
for the reeds Of the regulars will ran
D ~ ~
/ thousands. Some OF the stables have
purchased horses for their mounted
troops and artillery. in some cases
f 'he cavalry uses privately owned
! mounts. and in many cases horses
are hired Tor drills. Officials are
busy working out the number that
must be supplied and the quickest
way or securing them.
Another step taken az the war dc
pdrtment today was preparation OF
orders calling out doctors OF the
medical reserve corps TO examine
Euardsmen for muster into the federal
service. The department will insist
I upon the high physical standards OF
me regular army. In some states
mat already IS required and there
viii be little delay. In others, there
lis reason to believe. officers say that
men Incapable of arduous militia
service have been enrolled for the
purpose of keeping the companies up
10 he minimum strength necessary
for federal recognition and participa-
ton In federal appropriations.
Found Unsuitable
In this connection II has been learn
l ed that 1850 men OF the New Mexico
I National Guard called out some
weeks ago. We're found unsuited for
. federal service. Only three companies
from that state. II Is said. have been
mustered in up TO date. the others
awaiting recruitment 10 the required
minimum ~ s. men.
The pension board has written
Secretary Baker concentrating him
/ on the fact that physical standards
for enlistment have not been lowered
iu tho regular army because OF the
difficulty In getting men. The eX-
animation Of all guardsmen has been
ordered 10 protect the pension rolls
t from undue initiation
No additional orders had been sent
'o the state troops tonight, and none
viii be sent 10 any unit until u has
completed muster into the federal ser
vice. As fast a. this work Is ac-
com lished General Funston will be in
formed that given number OF infan-
3 try. cavalry or artillery troops arc
available for his use. lie will desiE
nate the places on tho border to
which he desires forces OF each arm
sent
The var department then will desig.
nate tho troops 90 70 and arrange for
their prompt transportation
] There d. nothing 20 indicate how
many troops will be required immcdi-
sfely In the event Of an open breach
with the Mexican government tho
whole force probably would be sent 70
general mohi'izaf ton camps an suitabIr
/ points near the International line 10
has been suggested that 81. 1000 add.
T fIonal mon would be sent 10 stiren tho
/ border guard for present purposes. n
that number were sem forward fm.
Imcdistely q part OF those remaining At
, state mobilization points probably
would DO granted furloughs until time
FOR them 20 relieve those in active ser
vice. who boo turn would be given fur
I0ucn7 The plan contcnplafes die.
7 frIhufinE tho duty Of guarding tho
. border ~ evenly AZ possible among