The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-06-20
MEXICO CITY PROBLEM

For the Mexico City problem, however, no such solution presents itself. It was suggested to one official today that an expeditionary force might be rushed to the relief of Americans there. He replied that it would mean moving an army of 50,00O or perhaps 100000 men. and would take at least two months to get them there.
 Although practically no details concern ing the mobilization of national guards
 men reached the war department today acknowledgements of the orders came from every governor with word that the troops had been ordered under arms. In several instances a request that the state be al- lowed to send it's full contingent to the border instead of the regiments or brigades called for, accompanied the &C., knowledgment. Governor Dunne of Illi- nois was one of those who made this re- quest.
 Secretary Baker announced during the day that he had asked Representative Hay and Senator Chamberlain. chairmen of the House and Senate military com- mittees, to endeavor to bring about the adoption by Congress of a resolution put ting into immediate effect the militia draft provisions of the new army Organi- zation bill, which will become effective July l. The resolution probably will be presented tomorrow in both houses WANT EVERY MAN With this information came also the statement that the orders calling out the state troops were so framed as to make it possible to compel the pres ence at the border, at least, of every man enrolled. They were summoned as national guardsmen, in which stat us they bear a distinct relation to the federal government and by law are the first source for securing volun- teers 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. It cannot be made retroac- tive, however, and all national guards men must voluntarily take the dual oath of enlistment under the federal
 and state governments before they can become subjec to it's operation.
 It is believed here that there will be little objection on the part of most of the guardsmen. It is planned to exercise the draft immediately if Congress adopts the resolution. and state soldiers who
 have taken the required oath then will become federal soldiers, with no connec-
 
 or the organized militia. They will be available for service in Mexico without further legal formalities.
 FOR GUARD DUTY
 On the other hand, those who may re- fuse to take the oath and will not, there fore, be subject to draft. will remain un- der federal control under the portions of the old law which still is operative. They will be available for guard duty along the border if for nothing else. and army officials feel the urgent need of keeping them ready for that purpose.
 The resolution, it is understood. also will authorize the President to employ the armed forces of the United States either in Mexico or along the border for defensive purposes. Such a provis- ion would meet the objection of those who hold that sufficiently clear author ization has not been given for the pur- pose of Section III of the new army bill. providing that drafting of national guardsmen can begin only after proper authorization has been given by Congress for the employment of forces other than the regular army. Legal officers of the war department desire to make certain that no complications will arise later to block efficient use of the state troops
 AMPLE EQUIPMENT
 Ample equipment of all kinds is on hand at the various depots of the army, Secretary Baker said today, to complete the outfits of all the guardsmen called for service. A sufficient supply of field ar tillery and machine guns and enough ammunition for any fighting that might occur also is on hand.
 The most pressing need will be horses to mount all of the National Guard cav airy and supply gun teams for the field batteries. The large excess held in army remount stables for the needs of the reg ulars will fall short of present needs by many thousands. Some of the states have purchased horses for their mounted troops and artillery, in some cases the cavalry uses privately owned mounts and in many cases horses are hired for drills.