The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1917-03-17

PREPARATIONS
SENT
TO STATE ADJUTANTS
Move DcclaredNot to Be War
like, But On Line of
Preparedness.

WASHINGTON, March lG. IN
preparation for any demand upon the
army That may grow OuL of the Ger
man crisis, the militia bureau of The
war department has sent prcCautiun-
fairy instructions 10 all state adjuiantS-
general outlining the plan to be fol-
lowed in the event Of the calling out
tof the National Guard for federal ser
vice
Tn" intention had been to take this
jslcp quietly and without publicity,
but reports from various points 10
drcatinG that il was being construed
as meaning that mobilization was IN
!mlncnt, caused department officials
To announce the instructions with
! the explanation that they constituted
lpureIy a routine measure Of pvppar-
edn"Ss, necessary i'll order 10 prevent,
lii Il call should come. such confusion
las attended the assembling Of guards
men for border service.
Not WarIike Move.
In this connection it WAS pointed
out that the government is going 10
considerable expense 10 Gc-moblllZc
regiments returning from the bordr:,
land which would be held in the fed
eral service If another demand for
there services were expected llnme-
II W tS Ifil lNI iiIul i-it
policy of the administration in the
present status of these crisis was to
make no move that could he construed
as Il war-likc step. This policy Is
understood TO be the reason that mob
ilizatiOn Of the navy has moi been or
dcrcd. Many navy officials have
favored that step but it has not bean
Improved by the administration.
The circular of Instructions advises
the adjutant s-Ecncral specifically of
the National Guard organizations in
each. state which would be summoned
in case Of Il call. Mobilization under
the plan outlined, would be conduct
ed by the regular army departmental
commanders. who would be authorize
ed TO designate sites for mobilization
camps other than those formerly used,
Iif necessary. and to make provision
| tOn shelter. recruitment. and the
/ formation of the rccruittrainlnG bat
Italious, in the cVcntuality of war.
No Dual Status.
No units except those designated In
| the list sent 10 each state would DO
laccepted. and each unit taken into
the federal service would be required
to have the full maximum authorized,
or war strength. as prescribed for the
regular army in the national defense
act.
The circular also makes il clear
that there is 10 be no dual status for
the National Guard in the federal
service hereafter. II says no indi'
vidual will BE- accepted who has not
taken the oath prescribed by The ma
tional defense act. At tho time nf
the border mobilization. about 10000
men were held under the old Dick
bill provisions classified as members
of the organized militia not u the
; National Guard.
! Provision also is made for the TAX
ling into the federal service OF GER
tam proportion Of the state admins
trative staff OF the National Guard
OF each state to handle administr;l-
tive questions us 10 recruiting. or
ganization and supply. This was not
done at the previous mobilization.
Complete federal control of all re-
cruting and other activities OF the
guard is now contemplated.
t The plan also provides for the i'm.
mediate calling out of the National
Guard reserve, both commissioned and
reserve the latter going back 10 their
regiments. The reserve officers would
| be assigned 10 duty rs needed 10y 'he
! departmental commander.