The Washington times., 1916-06-21
District Militia Under Arms Ready for Mexican

mon who cannot pass regular army
muster rather than wait for the muster
officers to do Il at Fort Myer this sf-
Ali Of the equipment also was closely
scrutinired BY the inspection OFFICER,
their rifles coming In for particular and
prolonged examination.
outside the .armory were gathered
several hundred men, women. and chill.
guardsmen.. who stood for hours walt
ing to see them leave for the coneentra-
Following the inspection many moth
ers. sisters. and sweethearts fiocked
guardsmen relatives or friends, either
TO bid them farewell OF, in some cases,
to try to persuade them not to leave.
Two agents OF the Associated Chart
to plead for the release from
service OF number Of married mon
in the militia whose families will
be left destitute IL they go to the
Ing In many Instances the recruiting
officers said that in view Of the fact
that the men had taken the oath, none
but the Secretary Of War could relieve
All about the armory today the
greatest military activity was OBJ
served. The Railways and stops were
and bedding. Hold desks. cots. trunks,
and suitcases, ANN unition boxes and
cases filled with rifles.
Officers Rush About Armory.
Officers moved quickly about the ar
mory giving orders to their men who
were handling the military impcdirnenta
and arranging the final details for tho
departure from the arrnory. A number
OF men who have been in the militia
for several years were given Honorable
discharges today because Of their
proven inability To go to the field.
They were discharged. the officers said.
to make room In the com .anies for re-
cruits.
While no actual figures have been
compiled the medical officers who have
examined the recruits estimated today
that about roo men had been accepted.
out Of the 1000 or more who had offered.
stature, bad vision. faulty teeth. and
deformed feet, together with heart nur-
murs and weak lungs. were the pifn-
SSipal causes for tho rejection Of the
those rejected. the officers said, were
youths who were not tall enough and
did not weigh enough.
narRsd the To Fopt Myer the tS,, re sftsr.
noon in uniform and equipped for the
civilian attire because all OF the
District militia's uniforms have been
exhausted.
To Get Uniforms at Post.
Upon their arrival at Fort Myer the
other recruits will be given uniforms, |
and II enough cannot be found at that
military post. the War Department will |
order additional ones sent there for the
recruits.
Notwithstanding the grim orders I'M
der which they reported at the armory |
ut o'clock this morning. the militia |
men appeared in the best OF spirits. and |
seemed eager and anxious for the COM
mand forward. All OF them realized |
that they might be sent to the Mexican |
border II not into that country, but this |
heightened their enthusiasm rather |
than dampened 1t. All Of the captains |
said that nine-tenths OF the men en- ,
listed In their company were in uni !
form today and ready for service.
Officers prided themselves on the fact
that many who had received their dis
charges have signifed their intention |
OF Joining their regiments at Fort Myer. |
The captain of one company reported |
that he had received kilograms from
two of his men stating that they were
coming, one Of whom Is with the Bar
mum & Bailey circus. in Massachusetts,
and the other is a member of the police
force at the du Pont Powder Works,
Hopewell. Va.