Evening star., 1916-08-12
War Department Decides to
Send Men Forward Despite
Short Numbers.
MANY ORGANIZATIONS
NEED ONLY FEW RECRUITS
Discomfort and Uneasiness 1T Long
Delay Recognized-Equipment
and Transportation Awaited.

Army department commanders
have been directed to send all
National Guard troops in state
mobilization camps to the Mexi-
can border as soon as equipped
and transportation can be OBJ
tanned. This was announced by
the War Department today.
This means that the District Of CO.
lumbia troops, still in camp near Fort
Myer, will be sent forward as soon as
they are equipped and transportation
provided.
Those still in camp here will not be
obliged to wait longer to be recruited
to the minimum war strength. accord
Ing to a statement made today by Maj.
Douglas Macarthur, U. s. A, the War
censor.
Trying Situation Relieved.
War Department officials explained
that the purpose of the movement was
to relieve the trying situation of Ma
tional Guard regiments which have
been held at state mobilization camps
during recruiting.
In many cases, notably in Ohio, whore
six regiments have been within a score
of the number necessary to permit them
to go to the border; in Kentucky and
Vermont. where only few additional re-
cruits are necessary, and in the District
of (solnmhiA where few addi-
tional men would recruit the regiment
for active service, there has been grow
ing uneasiness and discomfort among
the guardsmen because of the weary
weeks of waiting.
In view of the fact that the men
have been in training under canvas for
some time. it is not deemed necessary
to delay their start for the border 1t
is believed, also, by War Department
officials that. as soon as the news of
guardsmen to the border becomes
known, there will be many applica-
tions for enlistment, which will bring
the National Guard units up to full
minimum strength.
Forward Move May Get Recruits
Many men will be glad to enlist, 1t is
thought, when they know that they are
about to start for the border Immediately.
They would not be willing to enlist if they
thought they would be obliged to re-
main in state mobilization camps for
an indefinite period.
The following telegraphic instruc-
tions. it was said at the War Depart
ment today, have been sent to all de-
partment commanders in the United
States:
Commanding general, Eastern De-
h k1S {"
lucky troops to border as soon after
they are equipped as transportation can
be obtained. and to see that special at
tention is given to getting Vermont
troops to the border as soon as possible.
Commanding general, Central De-
partment, has been directed to send
Ohio troops to border as soon after they
are equipped as transportation can be
obtained.
"All department commanders have
been directed to send all other National
Guard troops in their respective de-
partments to the border as soon after
they are equipped as transportation can
be obtained"
Equipment Nearly Complete.
Although the Sd Infantry of the Dis
trict National Guard still needs some
equipment for field service, Capt.
Horace P. Hobbs, United States mus
tering officer, said today that he con-
siders the regiment equipped for the
field now. The principal items which
were needed are twenty-five field
glasses and twelve horse equipments,
the lot including saddles, brides. hal
ters, blankets and nose bags. Requisi-
time.
The regiment is not fully equipped
with the new infantry packs and new
style canteens. They have. however,
the old canteens and blanket rolls.
The field artillery-Battery A-has all
Of it's necessary equipment. Troop A of
cavalry will be completely outfitted by
the middle of next week, according to
camp officers.
Capt. Hobbs said he had not received
the latest order of the War Depart
ment, but that the lack Of field glasses
and horse equipment would not serve
to keep the regiment here II that was
all the War Department required.
100000 Men on Border.
The best available Information on the
number of guardsmen on the border Is
in health statistics of last week, which
covered $4,000 state troops. all on bor-
der service, not including several regi-
ments. 1t is considered certain that
more than 100000 national guardsmen
are in the camps along the interna-
tional line.
Thoroughly equipped camps readily
capable of expansion are awaiting the
troops; all details Of water and food
supplies have been worked out on a
basis that the army Is confident insures
adequate provision for any number OF
troops, and the addition of $4,000 troops
to the border commands are not ex-
nected to create any new difficulties.
War Department officials insist that
the new orders are without other sig
nificance, and are not connected with
the situation beyond the border.
Officers of Third Infantry
Hope for Full Quota of Men
Through EnIistments Today
Before nightfall the officers of the Sd
Tpfoptry at Camn Ordway exnect to