The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1917-03-24

OF GUARD
AREREADY
North Dakota Militiamen
Expect Early Call to
Federal Service
TREMENDOUS WORK ATHOhE
Will Require 100000 Men to
Police Nations Vital
Points.

| "It means war; said Major g. A.
Fraser of the First Infantry N. d. N.
| G., speaking Of the continued sinking
of American ships on the high seas
| by German submarines. There is
nothing else that can be done than to
declare that state of war exists. for
| there is no doubt that there is a
state of war now"
Major Fraser and Capt G. A. M.
Anderson. commanding Company b,
and other line and field officers OF the
regiment who make their homes in
Fargo, have received nothing Of an of
fetal nature that would indicate that
the regiment was again" to DE called
into the federal service, though every
one of them is expecting such a call
momentarily. Most of the officers be-
| lieve that the troops of this state will
not be called out until after congress
convenes on April 2.
UNLESS Germany should uneXpect-
eddy withdraw from her stand regard
national guard will again be called
into the SERVICE" continued Major
Fraser.
Participation in France.
81 do not think that there will be
sufficient body of troops trained for
an eXpeditionary force to the French
theatre of war by fall, and I cannot
see how the European war can last
through another winter. However, a
large number of troops are going to
be needed in this country. There are
thousands of factories, mines, bridges.
Notifications and other vital points
that will have to be heavily guarded
to protect them against damage by
agents Of the German government and
German sympathizers in this country,
should war be declared.
"Why, just as an example, there is
the Missouri river bridge at Mandan..
The blowing up of this bridge along
would cripple q transcontinental rail-
road for months and transportation
facilities are going to be one of the
most important things on which this
country will rely in case Of war.
Will Require Great Force.
81 estimate that it will take at least
100000 men to form any sort of a
guard for the industries and fortiff-
cations of this country, and if the
war department is going to prepare
| for any eventuality that might arise,
much larger force must be trained.
While it does not appear at all prob
able or even possible, there might be
a change in the situation that would
| continue the war for a much longer
time than is generally believed. If
preparation is to be made for any
| GN0uLudlIlyB
be provided for ~.
The belief that the North Dakota
national guard will again receive a
| call to federal service in the near fu-
ture, is strengthened by the fact that
| the Minnesota officers have been or
dered to prepare for mobilization. No
mobilization order, however. has been
| issued.
Ben Vowles, a member Of a Min
| orfad
for st. Paul, having received tele-
gram from his commanding officer or
dering him to report at once.
Vowles has been visiting with friends
| in Fargo since the minnesotan's were
mustered out of the federal service on
their recent return from the Mexican
border.
Complete Inspection.
Within the next week all units Of
| the North Dakota regiment will have
| been inspected by the federal govern
ment, including the machine gun
company, the hospital corps, band and
headquarters. This is the annual in
| spection by a regular army officer and
| is being conducted the same as
| the inspections that take place during
peace times.
/ However, there is a feeling among
i the officers that when this inspection
is completed the regiment will be call
i ed into service, if not sooner. Everyone
is prepared for such an eventuality.
If the government. should call out
10000 men in addition to the regular
army and national guard of the sew
eral states, it is estimated that North
Dakota would be called on to furnish
approximately three regiments IN adj
dition to the national guard regiment.
| Officers of the First North Dakota.
believe that such a call will be made
soon after congress convenes.