The Grangeville globe. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho) 1907-1922, 1916-12-21
Idaho Regiment One of Few
to Take Federal
Oath.
EXPECT co. E SOON
Had They the Choice, Not
Many Would Re- Enlist
For Six Years.

Boise Statesman: Guardsmen in
the Second Idaho infantry regiment
will still be liable for service in the
state militia, even after they are
mustered out here on their return
home because of the oath they
took when they were mustered into
service six months ago, just prior to
their departure for the border.
1t is said the Idaho regiment is one
of the few militia organizations which
enlisted for six years, most of the men
in the regiments from other states
either refused to sign for the long
term or were sent to the border with
out being requested to sign.
Compelled by New Law.
The national defense act of June 3,
1916 makes it compulsory on the
guardsmen to enlist for three years
active service and three years ON the
reserve list before they can e.acoept-
ed into the federal service.
Just prior to the day on which Cap
tain Max b. CARRIER, U. S. A., made
ready to muster the men into the fed
eral service at the Boise barracks in
July, he was instructed by the war de
partment to have the enlisted men
sign a new oath binding them to serve
six years. The men had already
signed for three years. With the ex.
ceptiOn OF perhaps a dozen, all the
guardsmen signed the new blanks Civ.
en- them. In signing the new oath
men who had served six months, q
year, tive years, or more were giveI
credit for time on the blanks handed
to them. Some of the men have al
ready finished their term of enlist
ment and been placed en- the retired
list, but they are liable for call in cas-
OF war for three years yet AL
guardsmen who are mustered ou
when the regiment cmnes back will
also be liable for call for a period O.
three years in case of war, even aftel
their term of active service expires.
Certain Collapse of National Guard
The complete collapse of the fed
eral national guard plan is made NOR
and more plain as different gsiart
regiments, which We're not sworn Int,
the federal service before going south
are brought home fram the borde
and mustered out.
Three Illinois regiments, totalin
about 5000 men, were recently mus
tered out When these trained mel
were asked to re-enlist and to take tn
federal oath Nnder the Hay law
which makes them liable TO service a
any time within six years, the ma
jority declined.
In the first Illinois infantry, so OF
ficers and 176 men were sworn in
in the Second, - officers and 80
men, and in the Third, 53 officers an
341 men. The rest declared that i
justice to the persons dependent upo
them they could not risk further DC
lice border duty, but would alway
stand ready to re-enlist in case of wal
The Idaho boys will soon be hOmt
but they are numbered among th
few regiments that We're given th
federal oath before they went TO th
border. 1t would be interesting
know how many, if they had tn
choice, would re-enlist for six year.
As matters stand now they are in fO
six years whether they like it or no
May Be Released in 10 Days.
Major Martin thinks the guardsme
should be mustered out and returne
to their homes 10 days after their al
rival in Boise if the property check
properly, but he said the length of tim
the men are held here would Deepen
upon many contingencies.
The daily program followed by tn
guardsmen after they have gone int
camp here will depend upon Colont
Edelblute, Major Martin said. M;
jor Martin was in Montana when til
regiment from that state returned
its home station from the borde
There the program consisted of a hik
parade through the downtown di
trict, a review by Governor Stewal
and company drills. He is of II
opinion that the men will have a gres
deal of time to themselves while wal
ing to be mustered out by Captai
CARRIER.
Plumbers Begin Work.
Plumbers. carpenters and labore
have been put to work at the Boii
barracks by Major Amos c. Marti
U. s. A., getting them in shape Il
the return of the Second Idaho i
fantry.
Major Martin now plans to put q
of the guardsmen in the buildings
the post, and with that thought
mind he has ordered tents from Fo
Lawton, Wash, to be used as dinil
rooms and kitchens. The tents will
pitched in front of the buildings