Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-06-01

ment OF heavy field artillery for Maine
consisting of three battalions Of two
batteries each and offering his ser
vices to the State Herewith. and the
plan OF DR.. w. H. Harris Of Augusta
in connection with the organization of
a local hospital unit and the making of
a State appropriation for the same oc-
cupied the greater part of the time
at the forenoon session Of the Council
Thursday.
The Council meeting, although
scheduled for 10 o'clock, was not call
ed to order until 1875. All of the
nominations that were in order for
confirmation at this time were con-
firmed, including that of five mem
bers OF the State Armory commission,
and that Of Frank +. Guernsey of
Dover. as trustee Of the University OF
Maine, owing to the absence Of men,
bers OF the prison commission. the
pardon hearings originally scheduled
for the forenoon session were put over
until afternoon.
The resignation of Miss Elizabeth
r. Springer of Brewer, as agent for
the protection of children for Penob-
scot county. was accepted.
The BaIentine Plan
Capt. Balentne. who is a retired
regular army officer and AZ years of
age. then presented his plan for the
raising of the field artillery unit and
the offering of his services to the State
herewith.
The plan proposes the addition to
the present force of the National
Guard Of Maine of one regiment of
heavy field artillery, consisting of three
battalions of two batteries each. The
batteries will have 100 men each and
the regiment will have 45 officers in
all.
While the State had until 1921 to
raise this regiment Captain Balentine
urged that the regiment be raised i'm
mediately, under certain conditions
laid down by the War Department. He
thought that in the present emergen-
ey that this was much needed.
Captain A. Il. Ballentine proposed
TO recruit the regiment at his own eX-
pense. The federal government would
clothe. arm and equip the men.
Capt Ralcntine explained that this
field artillery which Maine has author
ity to raise under certain conditions
would form proper outlet for the
disappointed Bowdoin. University Of
Maine. Colby and Bates College men,
and others who are not included in the
Plattsburg camp.
In answer to the objections as to
cost Of new armories Capt. Balentine
offered the proposition of using the
armories of the State, after the pres
ent National Guard is drafted. He
said that three companies would be
drawn from Saco, Biddeford, Old Or
chard. Westbrook. South Portland and
Portland, to be located at the coast
artillery armory. and the exposition
building in Portland.
The recruits from Bath and Bruins
wick will he assigned to batteries in
this district. Those drawn from Lew
iston and Auburn were to be drilled
in the Lewiston and Auburn armories
and those from Augusta, Hallowell and
Gardiner at City hall in Augusta
Those from Bangor. Old Town, Brewer,
Orono, Hampden. Orrington would be
drilled in the armories in Bangor.
Mr. Balentine said:
The Act Of Congress dated June 3,
1916, requires the State to organize for
its National Guard 800 men per sena-
tor and representative in Congress by
1881 Under the provisions OF this la"
and the assignment of units by the
war department. Maine must have the
following National Guard by 1921.
Allotment 1900; less Naval Militia,
900.
A-To Coast Artilley, 10 companies
with headquarters.
BIO Coast Artillery supports; one
regiment infantry.
C-To army corps troops: One regi-
ment field artillery, heavy. three bat
teries each: two field hospital compa-
nies. two ambulance companies, one
telegraph battalion. Signal Corps.
This means the addition to the pres
ent force OF the National Guard OF
Maine Of one regiment Of heavy Field
Artillery. consisting OF three battal-
ions of two batteries each. The batter
les will have 100 men each and the reg
iment will have As officers in all. While
tho state has until 1921 to raise this
regiment 1t may. II it so desires. raise
the regiment Immediately under GER
tain conditions laid down by the war
department. thus providing the FED
Aral government in the present emer-
Rency with a much needed fghtlng
unit. Troops are maintained Tor war
not Tor peace, anu IL SeeniS " Aio I'll
patriotic for the State to take advant-
age Of a, loop-hole in the law to de-
Law the organization Of this now much
needed heavy artillery regiment. He
gives ten times who gives quickly"
Tho Washington Post Of May "a
states. "The principal shortage in the
National Guard Is field artillery"
Quoting from the testimony OF Cen
Hral Wood before the subcommittee OF
military affairs in the United States
senate: I'VE are without any OF the
modern types Of heavy mobile artil-
1ery such as are in general use in Eu-
,rope-artillery which often has had
Aetermining effect upon operations" A
utter in the New York Times Of May
~ states: III my observations are cor
rect. the statement that artillery has
mad a determining effect upon opera
lions should be changed to read that
the artillery IL the determining factor
IN operations; It is the great striking
arm. and the struggles Of 1915 and
1sis and Of this year are the proof.
This field artillery which Maine has
authority to raise under certain con-
hitions IL the finest sort Of army ser
vice. appealing to men Of intelligence