Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-05-25
Secretary of War Orders
Court Martial of 116
Members for Action.
REvERSES DECISION.
Intended to Await Signing
of New Militia Act
Sees Mistake.

members of a court martial which
will try 116 members of the Texas
national guard for refusal to pre-
sent themselves to be mustered In.
to federal service.
Washington, May 25-Reversing
his previous decision, Secretary
Baker announced today that the
116 members of the Texas nation
al guard who failed to present
themselves for muster into the fed
eral service will be brought to
court martial Immediately under
the present law. Mr.. Baker had In
tended to await the signing of the
new militia law now before the
president and proceed under It's
provisions.
Secretary Baker explained hts ac-
ton by pointing out the difference in
the enlistment oaths guardsmen are
required to take under the Dick law
and the new Hay-Chamberlain bill
The Dick law requires an obligation
to defend the constitution and obey
orders of the governor of the state but
not the order of the president. The
Hay-Chamberlain act requires an oath
70 obey orders of both the governor,
and the president
Offense of Dick Law.
Under recommendation Of Judge Ad-.
vocate General Crowder the secretary
has decided that the alleged offense Of
the guardsmen refusing to present"
for muster, was committed
under the Dick law and trial should be
under that law.
General Crowder in a supplementary
opinion held that the Hay-Chamber-
lain act would not abolish the offense
with which the Texans are charged as
has been suggested.
1t was stated officially at the war
today that General Funs-
ton had never requested that the Lou
isiana, Arkansas and Oklahoma ma
tional guard be called out for border
service as reported. General Funston
asked for additional coast artillery but
the department decided it was not
needed at present
AlFdTeZ AuMlE Ills f3f6
Marathon, Texas, May 25.-Lieuten-
ant Colonel Natividad Alvarez, leader
OF one of the bands that raided Boquil-
las and Manuel Torres, another of the
raiders. were brought here early today
and given into custody Of Deputy
Sheriff Shoemaker to be taken to AL
pine for trial before civil authorities.
The prisoners were heavily man
acled.
Alvarez, very ordinary looking
peon, refused to talk but admitted he
had played a part in the sacking OF
Deemer's store.
His companion, Torres, boyish
looking figure, when asked why he
had invaded American territory to rob
and kill, said:
six months ago I was living at Sac
remento, in the state of Durango,
working on a little farm belonging to
my parents. One day a number OF
armed men came and took away ev-
erything we had stored to keep US I'M
til the next crop came. They even
took our clothes.
Later on, another band appeared,
only to find that we had nothing left.
The colonel looked at and said that
might make good soldier. | told him
| did not want to Join the army. He
looked at me again and finally said:
You have no shoes; your feet are
sore; your trousers are torn; you
have no coat; it is cold and you say
that you are hungry. Come with me
and l will feed and clothe you !
joined him and for a time we had
plenty to eat and something. to wear
but times became hard again and our
chief decided to strike along the Ric
Grande on the Mexican side, where
he said food and forage were more in
abundance.
We reached the river opposite Bo-
quillas and camped. Some of the mer
suggested that raid be made across
the river and it was agreed upon.
THE raid was carried out, but
did not participate in it l was one OF
10 left on the Mexican side to guard
the retreat and there | remained I'M
til We had left for the interior and |
was caught by your American troops