Bonners Ferry herald. [volume] (Bonners Ferry, Idaho) 1904-current, 1916-05-12
MILITIA Of SOUTH
CALLED TO ARMS
ESTIMATE is THIS WILL MAKE A
TOTAL OF $4,000 MEN ON
THE BORDER.
WILL GUARD ALONG MEXICO
Guardsmen From Arizona, New Mex
leo and Texas VIII Go on Patrol
Duty-Cabinet Worries Because
Oregon Does Not Act.

Washington, May 9-With 5000 ad-
ditional troops under orders for the
Mexican border, including 1000 nation
al guardsmen from Arizona, New Mex
leo and Texas, administration officials
felt tonight that necessary steps had
been taken to prevent further raiding
OF American border towns by bandits.
President Wilson and his cabinet dis
cussed the Mexican situation today,
but the president had authorized the
new troop orders before his advisers
gathered
Scott and Funston Ask
General Scott and General Funston
recommended early in the day that ad-
ditional forces be sent to the border.
After an exchange of kilograms Cen
eral Funston suggested that the ma
tional guard from the three states
named be called out, In addition to
the sending OF all the remaining reg
ular infantry to join his command. His
suggestion was promptly approved and
orders dispatched.
Baker Issues the Call.
The text of Secretary Bakers notifi-
cation Of the call to the governors Of
the three states, made public late to-
day. follows:
Having in view the possibility of
further aggression upon the territory
OF the United States from Mexico, and
the necessity for the proper protection
of that frontier, the president has
thought proper to exercise the author
ity vested in him by the constitution
and laws and call out the organized
militia necessary for that purpose.
Will Be Mustered In.
81 am, in consequence instructed by
the president to call into the service
of the United States, through you, the
organized militia of the states of
Arizona, Texas and New Mexico,
which the president directs shall be
concentrated at the places designated
by the commanding general southern
department, now at Ell Paso, Texas,
and which he has directed to commu-
nicate to you.
Upon arrival of the organized mill
tia at the designated places of rendez-
vous they will be mustered into the
service of the United States by Off
GERS of the regular army designated
for that purpose"
Makes Total Of $4,000.
Including the troops ordered out to-
day there will be nearly $4,000 sol
diers, perhaps $4,000, along the border
or in Mexico, according to the best
available figures here. The war de-
partment has declined to publish ac-
tual numbers, but the entire mobile
army except five troops of cavalry
under General Funston's command, in
addition to the 1000 or more guards
men and the several thousand recruits
who are being forwarded to the reg
ular regiments as fast as they are
mustered in, the United States has a
considerable army strung out along
the 1900 miles of the international
line.
Can Go Beyond Border.
Calling out the national guard for
the first time under the present mill
tary law brings up the fact that, as
written, the act authorizes the presi-
dent to use the state soldiers either
in or without United States territory
The provision authorizing the use of
the guardsmen as such beyond the
border was held to be unconstitution-
al by former Attorney General Wick
ersham. 1t never has been passed up
on by the supreme court, however,
and President Wilson has full legal
authority to employ the state forces
beyond the border if he so desires.
Only an injunction against the war
department could prevent it.
Service Made Obligatory.
By the terms of the law the guards
men must be mustered into the SER
vice of the United States before they
come under complete control of the
federal government.