The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-07-16
Troops of Eight States Assem-
bling Ready for Camps.
Won't Leave for France Until
FederaIized, August ).
ORDER AFFECTS 125,OOO men
Full Campaign Equipment
Awaits at CantOnments.
Upon Landing, State Artillery
Will Train With French "75'c."

Washington, July Rehabilitation
of the national guard for war service
began today. While no orders for
embarkation of state troops for
France will be given until after Au-
gust 5, when the entire force will
formally be drafted into the United
States army, there are indications that
some divisions will be regarded as
ready to board transports soon after
that date.
The first clause of President Will
sons proclamation providing for the
liberalization of the national guard
fos the war became effective Sunday.
Under it all guard units from New
York Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Vir-
gInia Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota.
Iowa. North and South Dakota and
Nebraska went on the federal pay roll
from that date.
Actual concentration of troops in
their home forces or state camps be-
gan today. Approximately one-haf of
the total strength of the national
guard. or more than $4,000 men is
Included in the force assembling
The first step in their preparation
has been to send to the armories addi-
tional clothing for their trip to the
divisional training camps Full cam
paign equipment will be issued at the
big camps, reducing the amount OF
material to be transported with the
troops Supplies of divisions are being
concentrated in the depots established
in the south to feed the guard units.
Relieve Bridge Guards.
Rapid progress is being made in
relieving guard regiments whlch
have been in the federal service since
the declaration of war, guarding prop
~ rAY.Iy rxrfIl 20 a
largely by civilian watchnen and
many states already have built up the
guarding machinery which will free
the guard regiments for war duty
Department commanders have been
authorized to confer with state au-
thorities in this regard and also to
abandon the guarding of any point
where they believe il unnecessary to
employ soldiers. 1t will be necessary
to retain guardsmen for the protection
of certain big muHition works and
other property vital to the conduct
Of the war. The department COM
lnanders will hold such troops as they
deem advisable for this purpose.
The next step in the general mobil-
1zation will be the ordering Of divi-
sions to the camp sites already select
ed for them. full supply of tent
q e is available, department reports
show, and the divisions will entrain
rapidly as the commanders of the
departments from winch Jney come
and of those in which their camps are
located agree as to dates
Shortage in Artillery.
The most serious shortage of war
equipment for the guard is in e
artillery. For training purposes the
big gun regiments undoubtedly will
continue to use the equipment they
have supplemented by such additional
ordnance as the regular service can
spare. 1t is regarded as certain, how
ever that if the guard divisions are
sent to France at an early date, they
will be equipped with French artiI-
lery on their arrival there. Presum-
ably their first war work will be with
the famous French "75's"
Departure of the guardsmen for
France, it was indicated today, will
be governed by the shipping prob
lem. War department officials re-
gard many divisions of the state
troops as ready now for the intensive
training behind the fighting line in
France which will prepare them for
their place in the trenches There is
no reason why some elements could
not go forward at once except lack OF
transportation and the submarine
menace