Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-05-23
DROP PLAN FOR SECOND
BATTERY OF H0W|TzERs
promoters to Throw Their Strength,
to Recruiting Present
Battery.
, FAR BELOW WAR STRENGTH
virginia National Guard Units Need
About 5000 Men, and Officials Arc
Deeply Concerned at Lack OF
EnlistmcntS.

10 bringing the Richmond Howitzcrs
up TO war strength those who have
been organizing now battery here
have decided to call off tho plan. The
announcement OF this decision was
made at meeting OF the Richmond
Howitzers Association last night i'm the
Howitzers gymnasium.
The plans for the second battery
were progressing we'll. but IL was
found that tho old organization was
suffering through the activities Of
lhosc Interested. The present battery
is now far below tho maximum
strength aud viii require considerable
work to be brought up to war strength
before July -. when tho Virginia Ma
tional Guard "ill 20 into mobilization
camp.
TIL" association pledged it's support
TO tho battery. the members agreeing
to lay themselves open Ia any call
Tor assistance made hy tho organiua-
ton OF which all ar" former members.
Those present obligated Themselves to
secure one recruit and n circular lot
ger VIII be sent to all abscntcoS ask
png them TO do likewise. The iIowit-
Gers har" lost thirty-four men in tho
past month through tho order Of the
War Department TO discharge all with
dependent relatives
Plans for purchasing 81 uniform for
tho association were discussed The
association ia Undecided whether to
hay" full dress or fatigue uniform.
and the matter was tabled. Tho plan
: calls for each member q" purchase and
own his individual uniform.
DEEPLY CONCERNED OVER
LACK or ENLIS'rNESTS
state military officials arc deeply
concerned over the fow cnlistmcnts in
the volunteer forces of Virginia. par
ticularly those organizations which
have not been called into tho Federal
service. In spite Of the fact that Gov
crnor Henry &. Stuart has notified all
company commanders 20 recruit to full
war strength. little interest is being
shown hy those OF military age.
This viii probably he the last OPP
Dortunity young men Of the state viii
hay" TO volunteer their services" Ad-
jutant-Gcnera! W. w sale stated yes
'crday. Between now and July -
probable that draft will be rcsortcd
TO after that date. The next two
months may be tho only chance a man
will ever have in this country Of being
volunteer"
Under the national defcns" act. CON
Scripton can be resorted 10 At amy
time during tn. existence Of war TO
MI tho ranks OF the regular army and
National Guard to full war strength
II II is necessary to do this. the first
quota OF men under the sclcctive draft
system viii be called 10 tho colors long
before September !. when the first in
crencnt Of 100000 men for the new
army will be raised.
Virginia organizations not in the
Federal service. need approximately
1900 men TO bring them TO war
strength The majority OF these men
are needed by the First Virginia In
fantry Batteries y and {. FRS, Field
Artillery: Field Hospital No l. and
the newly organized ambulance com
panE All need men. Company 4. Signal
Corps. OF this city, and Battery b. OF
Norfolk. have already reached their
maximum strength.
VIRGINIA ORGINIZtT IONS
WILL. NEED NE:tRIi 3.O01 MEN
Organizations in the Federal ser
vice also need many men The Second
and Fourth Regiments each require
about 500 men. The First Virginia
squadron and Battery -. Of Hampton
need more men, and both of the com
panies OF coast artillery have room in
'hclr ranks for additional recruits
Altogether Virginia guard organiza-
tions will require nearly 1000 men TO
orlnS them 10 war strength.
Men volunteering now in National
''uard organization VIII no, be ca He'd
10 the colors until July 70 hut will nc
learning the rudlments Of drill in the
meanwhile. BY enjistng now instead
OF waiting for conscription. they can
select the organization or branch with
which they want 10 serve, and in which
they will find their friends Then
100, the National Guard offers ono of
me Quickest means OF getting TO ;he
nr!nS line, as after the FIRST divisior
81 regulars goes across /, is probable
that the volunteer soldiery Will be
recognized to the extent Of taking the
bcSt-trained troops across
Chances for promotion in the Ma
'iohai Guard VIII be quicker than in
the selective army. as the noncommis
stoned officers Of the selcctive CON
iinSents viii be taken from the trained
men OF the National Guard and regular
army. IN which event those who en-
liSt now stand fine opportunity of
advancing quickly 10 fill those places
Virginia has cavalry. field artillery.
infantry. signal and medical troops.
giving men all the latitude they could
desire in allinE a selection
va AZ I - W1 ~