Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1917-01-22
SUGGEST BANQUET
FOR SOLDIER BOYS
City Council Will Discuss
Subject at Meeting on
Thursday Night
TROOPERS WILL BE
HOME IN 8 WEEKS

Delaware's two battalions OF infan-
try. which, under command of Major
j. Warner Reed, have been doing duty
at Deming, New Mexico. since the lat
ter part Of July Of last year, are in
cluded in the list of militia organiza-
tons which have been ordered by
Major General Frederick Funston to
return TO their home stations for mus
ter-out OF the Federal service No
definite date has been set for the
movement OF the troops, which. as in
former cases OF the return OF troops.
will commence as soon as transpOr-
tation arrangements can be made.
However, it is expected that the Della
ware troops viii be started homeward
within the next week or two.
This program was announced by
the War Department last night It
also was pointed out that before the
troop movement could be commenced
1t would be necessary to assemble the
rolling stock required for the entire
movement at the proper points along
the border and that this will take
practically from two TO three weeks.
Each outfit will have to assemble
and checks up all OF its property be-
fore starting home, and that will take
several days. The tip from Deming
to this city will consume about five
days.
! Just where the troops will be sent
to await muster out cannot be stated
at this time, but the probabilities are
that they Will be sent to Fort Dupont
during this period, which will consume
almost as much time as did their prep
aratiOn and muster in, due to the ne
/ cessity OF checking property ac-
counts, and the physical inspection OF
each officer and man previous to their
release. This action is taken invari-
ably as protection to both the troops
and the government in connection
with the pension service. There is lit
tie likelihood that they will be sent
to the camp at the State Range, be-
cause of the weather conditions, and
there is no place in this city which
would provide the necessary accommo-
dations.
It is expected that arrangements
will be made which will guarantee the
returning troops a rousing reception
when they arrive here II is probable
that those who have interested them.
selves in the matter will be able tC
arrange for the troops to stop over
in this city long enough for a short
parade and review by Governor Town
send, and then be entertained by the
city and State at a banquet. This mat
ter will be taken up in the meetinl
OF Council on Thursday evening, Will
a view to having the city assist in de
fraying the expenses incident to thu
reception.
Delaware has cause to be proud o.
the conduct and efficiency of its mi
litia while they have been in the ser
vice of the government, and those II
a position to Judge state that thu
troops of this State have lost nothinl
in comparison with their comrades
, from larger States.
The first intimation of the projec
to send Delaware troops home at thil
time came on Saturday, when thOs'
enlisted men of the battalions who arr
in this city on furlough, received
, telegraphic advice that their furloughi
, had been extended thirty days.
The statement issued by the Wa
Department last night follows:
General Funston has selected thes
organizations chiefly in accordance
with the rule of returning first thos
81 troops longest in service on the Dor
4 der. To some extent, however. thi
D rule could not be followed withou
=. unequal weakening OF the horde
{ guard and the departures from it ar
e so explained. The total strength o
the organizations selected is 25,243.'