Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-07-17
NATIONAL GUARD To
BE READY To START
FOR FRONT BY sept.
Entire Force viii Be Formally
Made a Part of Regular
United States Army on the
Fifth of August

WASHINGTON. July 16.-Mobiliza-
ton of the national guard for war serv-
ice began today. While no orders for
embarkation of state troops for France
will be given until after August 5.
made a part of the United States army.
there are indications that some divi-
sions will be. regarded as ready to board
transports soon after that date.
The first clause of President Wilson's
proclamation providing for the federal
ization of the national guard for the
war became effective yesterday. I'm
der it, all guard units from New York,
Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia,
Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa,
North and South Dakota and Nebraska
went on the federal payroll from that
date.
Actual concentration of troops in
their home armories or state camps be-
gan today. Approximately one-half of
the total strength of the national guard
or more than $4,000 men. is included
in the force assembling.
The first step in their preparations
has been to send to the armories ad-
ditional clothing for their trip to divi-
sional training camps. Full campaign
equipment will be issued at the big
camps, reducing the amount of mate
rails to be transported with the troops
Supplies for the divisions are being
concentrated In the depots established
in the south to feed the guard units
RELIEVING GUARD REGIMENTS
Rapid progress is being made in re-
lieving guard regiments which have
been in the federal service since the
declaration of war guarding property
This work will be taken over largely
by civilian watchmen, any many states
already have built up the guarding ma
chinery. Department commanders have
been authorized to abandon the guard
ing of any point where they believe it
unnecessary to employ soldiers. They
will hold such troops, however, as
they deem necessary for protection of
certain big munition works and other
property, vital to the conduct of the
war.
The next step in the general mobiliza
ton will be the ordering of divisions
to the camp sites already selected for
them. A full supply of tentage is
the divisions will entrain as rapidly as
the commanders of the departments
from which they come and of those
in which their camps are located agree
as to dates.
The most serious shortage of war
equipment for the guard is in the artil
lery. For training purposes, the big
gun regiments undoubtedly will con-
tinue to use their present equipment,
supplemented by such additional ord
nance as the reglar service can spare.
1t is regarded as practically certain,
however, that if the guard divisions
are sent to France at an early date,
they will be equipped with French ar
tillery on their arrival there. Presum-
ably their first war work will be with
the famous French "75's."
Departure of the guardsmen for
France ii was indicated today, will be
governed by the shipping problem. War
department officials regard many dlvi-
sions of the state troops as virtually
ready for the intensive training behind
the fighting line in France. There is
no reason why some elements could not
go forward at once. except lack of
transportation and ethe submarin
menace.