The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-05-21
MILITIA FAILS
TO RESPOND IN
CALL TO AR MS
116 Enlisted Men in Texas
Guard Refuse to Obey
Order.
NOT \ SINGLE STATE
FORCE MUSTERED IN

W~AsHtNGroS. May 2o-Reports to the
War Department from Gen. Funston in
dicate almost a complete fall down on
the part Of the National Guard organi-
nations OF Texas. Arizona and New
Mexico in responding TO the call OF the
President for service with the egula
army along the border.
Summoned to the cuiors on May .. not
Q single organization from II OF the
three States has been mustered In. Not
even the mobilization preparatory TO the
mastering Of the militia into the Federa
sssvtce has been completed.
A official report from San Antonio
aeAtoo that 11S enlisted men OF the
0eoood Regiment. comprising the paper
strength Of the Texas National Guard.
havo flatly refused to respond to the
eoA, q although court-martial proceed
inoD Will be instituted 20 punish them In
AeoogdAnce with the law. officials Of the
~ Department declare thai beyond
~ endiction OF punishment for failure
70 respond there Is no means Of compell-
IN the guardsmen TO serve.
~ the present rate at which the
0o6uisAtion Is going on for these three
otateo Army officers figure II would re-
au1go between one and two months Ia
maofiss m considerable number OF
Nak1onal Guard organizations from
various parts OF the country.
Wanted Stronger Iuard.
d connection with complaints hat
eAvo been mad to the War Department.
tAat Gen. Funston was leaving the
Af1oona border too poorly guarded
against bandit raids. the General has
odv1Ded the Wal Department that al.
tho0gh the Arizona guard on paper only
ooas1sts Of 7%2 men, nan Of these have
NJ yet reported for duty.
Although the Wal Department Is de.
dining to make public the contents of
- complaints from Gen. Funston. sum.
c10e Information is available concerning
thom to indicate that many Of the organ
iSations reporting at the conccntratior
campo set aside for the three States are
~ below the numerical strength needed
It Is also stated that despite the issue
- equipment to these organisations BY
~ Federal Government under the Dick
Law. many of them are reporting without
Q sufficient number Of uniforms. rines
aad other equipment.
IN 1915 the War Department ISSUED
equipment 10 the Arizona Nationa
Guard to the value of Sl2.613: New
Mexico. sI+.s3I. and to Texas militia
926.+1t, or a total to the three States
OF e63.122. Moreover the reports are
said to show conflict has resulted ovei
h carrying out OF that portion Of III,
law which. in requiring the Federal Gov
rnmen to furnish the equipment u
the States as needed for training pur.
poses, also required it 70 compensate tn.
States for the Use of this equipment
when the militia is mustered into thu
regular SERVE in time of emergency.
Must Lower bars.
In consequence Of the poor turnout o
~ guardsmen. IL IN said. the ply sica
examination standards In many ~instancel
will have to he relaxed in order not I.
deplete entirely the ranks of the or
gahizations responding to the call. Or
the other hand, 1t Is stated. to make u,
the deficiencies in numerical strength al
ready existing the gaps will have to b.
dled by raw recruits.
In the case OF the lls Texans who hav,
hat1y refused to respond the reason
given is their unwilllngress to snbscrib,
tn the Federal service when told tina
they would be required TO serve II needle,
for the full period Of their State enlist
ments.
Although the law provides thai in sncl
cases the Federal authorities nave tn,
right to convene courts-martia 1t vi,
explained at the War Department tina
the personnel of these courts would hav,
- be made up OF state militia officers.
From present indications. Gen. Fun
SION In understood TO have reported
Il will be at least the middle OF nex'
week before the Guardsmen can b
fnlly mustered into the regular service
This delay Is regarded as inexcusablc
In view OF the fact. learned Tonight