Connecticut western news., 1917-03-29
WAR CALL FOR
 STATE TROOPS
Regiments Ordered Out For
 Guard Duty.
ARMY WORK IS SPEEDED UP

at Charleston, s. C.-President Signs Order Increasing Strength of Navy to s7.ooo Men and Recruiting Win Be
 Rushed.
 Orders to make effectively ready all of the man power of the nation in the event of a declaration of war between the United States and Germany have been issued by the war department Under the personal direction of Presi dent Wilson the military authorities cleared the way for the organization of an army of millions of men immediate. ly upon action by congress when if meets in extraordinary war session a week from today.
 A sweeping general order issued by Chief of Staff Major General Hugh l.. Scott reorganized the entire depart country to facilitate the centralization of commands"
 At the same time thirty-four regi- ments of the national guard were call cd into the federal service under orders to guard and protect the vital points of the nations life from attack coming from without and possible disloyalty within.
 Under the reorganization plan the war department will be able to speed fly enlist and mobilize an army of mil lions through the extension of the skel- eton organization now in the service No move will be made toward aug menting the military force, however until congress has spoken. If congress declares the existence of a state of war the war department will be ready to start enlistment at once. A call for volunteers or legislation authorizing some form of compulsory military train Ing would bring to the newly organized headquarters throughout the country the men needed.
 Work For Guardsmen. Meantime the administration will rely upon the national guard for home defense. and throughout the country the militia will be available for guard ing bridges. waterways, arsenals and other government plants and muni-
 
 to the army in time of war. The army reorganization plan estah. fishes six instead of four great mill. tary departments throughout the coun- try, with a general officer in command in each. The order Is effective May 1. . | The war department will move at once to make the necessary changes. Major General Leonard Wood will leave the department of the east and will take over the command of the new tsouth eastern department. comprising the southern Atlantic and east gulf coast states, which the war department looks upon as probably the point of the greatest strategic importance at this time because of conditions in the Ca. ribbean and because of the fact that these states lie nearest to Panamu zone.
 Major General Franklin Bell will take the new eastern department, and Brigadier General Clarence R. Ed wards will resign the command of the Panama canal zone to Brigadier Gen eral Edward H. Hummer, General Ed. wards assuming command of the new northeastern department, in New Eng. land. The order reorganiZing the serv. ice reads:
 To facilitate the centralization of com mandc the United States is divided into six military departments fin place of the four now existing The new organization. becomes effective May l, 19l7 and com prises the following:
 i The Northeastern Department-To em- brace the states of Maine, New Hamp- shire, Vermont. Massachusetts, Rhode Is- land and Connecticut. Headquarters at Boston.
 The Eastern Department-To embrace thu states of New York. New Jersey. Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Nir- Einia, West Virginia, District Of Colum bia, canal zone and Porto Rico. Head. quarters at Governors island. New York.
 Two New Departments.
 The Southeastern Department-To em brace the states of Tennessee. North Caro-. lima, South Carolina, Georgia. Florida. A bama and Mississippi, together with the coast defenses of New Orleans and the coast defenses of Galveston. Headquar- .ers at Charleston, $. C.
 The Central Department To embrace th> states of Kentucky, Ohio Michigan. Indiana. Illinois, Wisconsin. Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa, Mis- so r Kansas, Nebraska, Wyoming and Colorado. Headquarters at Chicago.
 The Southern Department-To embrace the states of Louisiana, except the coast defenses of New Orleans; Texas, except the coast defenses of Galveston; Arkansas Oklahoma, New Mexico and Arizona 1 Headquarters at Fort Sam Houston, San Antonio, Tex.
 The W estern Department-To embrace the states of Washington, Oregon, Idaho Montana, California, Nevada, Utah ana she territory of Alaska. Headquarters al San Francisco.
 Major General Leonard Wood will com mand the southeastern department.
 Major General Franklin Bell will com mand the eastern department.
 Major General Hunter Liggett will com manu the western department.
 Brigadcr General Clarence k. Edwards , VIII ruiimand She northeastern depart ment.
 Brigadier General N. f2dwar Plummc will command the troops in tEe Panama