The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-06-24
New Order Means Immediate
Movement to Border Of Large
Part Of Militia
VIRGINIA TROOPS WILL
SOON BEGIN LEAVING
Transportation Problems En-
gagged Attention OF Adju-
tant-Generai Sale yesterday.
May Move Today

Washington. June 23.--Secretary
Baker today issued orders TO all army
departmental commanders 10 send to
the Mexican border all militia avail
able Immediately upon their organ
ization, without waiting for compile
ton of the mobilization Of the separ-
ate States
The commanders were requested TO
notify General Funston when each
regiment. troop, battery or other unit
complete muster.
General Funston will indicate where
he wishes the forces sent IN each IN
Stance, and the epartmental COM
Aatder without further instructions
ram Washington, will arrange trans
4oFtation and send them forward.
The announcement OF the new
orders was made officially after to-
days ca binet meeting. hut 1t was
understood that they actually had
been issued before the cabinet con-
eened. No explanation was offered
xor the change in the original plan 70
send only "a part Of the avaiia bic
xuardsmen ut present and officials
would no, disclose whether news OF
Amy important developments in
Mexico mad caused the step.
plans for Mobilization abandoned.
The original orders TO the guards
men were for their mobilization in
Estate concentration camps 10 await
|fnrther orders. The War Department
had planned 20 call upon the states
(which effected the best and earliest
cpna tiete mobilization. having regard
t0 the distance and time for trans
por.ation.
Today's orders are expected to re-
suit in the immediate movement tow
ard the border of separate regiments
from many States, whose entire ma
tlonai guard strength has not been as
sem bied
In consequence of orders issued by
Secretary of War Baker following
yesterdays cabinet meeting in Wash
tngton, to departmental commanders
tc rush troops to the Mexican border
n ra pidly as units approach war
strength and are mustered in. II is
probable that orders may be received
by Adjutant General Sales department
Today or Tomorrow moving the first
Virginia troops out of the State.
The new turn given military affairs
By Secretary Bakers order means that
ID In not likely that the mobilization
camp at Richmond will at any one
thine have a very large number of
snilitiamen In attendance,
As soon as any Virginia battery,
battalion. or perhaps company. or
cavalry squadron, reaches the maxi
mum required the fact will be re-
ported by Captain A. NJ. Ship. senior
mustering officer, through the adj
1utant generals office to Major Gen
erAi Leonard Wood. commander Of the
Department of the East. who will
Immediately. under the new orders,
arrange transportation and send the
comp1ete unit forward.
Some May Move Today.
The Richmond Howitzers battery of
held artillery. counting it's reserve list
oI more than 100 members IL today,
practically above the maximum, and
With tho calling upon the reserves 1t
Will be ready to go forward at once.
BATTERIES at Norfolk. Portsmouth and
Hampton are very close to the maxi
mum and they could be made ready
within forty-eight hours at the rate
Recruiting Is being reported, to leave
Is reinforce General Funston.
The Richmond Grays battalion, Ma
Tor Bright commanding, Is within a
nhoft distance of the maximum. Ono
company. B. Captain Stack, at the
AIR Grounds, Is In good condition and
u growing rapidly as are other com
Danies Of the battalion. It is probable,
MIfA recruiting STIMULATED n DIT as IL
viii be by the new orders which as
oure the men quick movement to the
border and early actual service. that
the Grays' battalion will be mustered
N and on its way to Mexico early in
the coming week.
Order Removes Deterrent.
The principal drawback to enlist
ment during the present week appears
q be the fear that those who Join the
military will be required to spend sew
pral days. perhaps weeks In a mobiliza-
.tion camp and, then, they might not
|be sent to the front at all. The new
.order removes such possibility and as
oures those who enlist little time in
camp and a quick movement to the
|border The Grays enlisted twenty
|tWo men yesterday out Of the num-
I6er who applied. Today's recruiting il
LIKELY to prove record breaking.
The Richmond Blues. now cavalry,
n rapidly recruiting to full strength,
Hour troops of three officers and one
'Aundred men each. and will be ready
nor muster into the United states
fvice within = few days.,
On Border Within Ten Days.
E1thin ten days every Richmond
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