The weekly times-record. (Valley City, N.D.) 1912-1922, 1917-09-13

Bismarck, Sept. 6-That the first
and Second North Dakota will not go
to France at all but will be assigned to
Philippine posts to- relieve regular
army units now stationed there is the
latest dope story on the National
guard situation. -
Local staff officers Of the Second de-
clare it dope pure and simple. They
have heard nothing Of it. Anything
is possible, of course" said Regimen
tai Adjutant H. T. Murphy when Ques-
toned regarding the rumor, "but We
have had absolutely no advice to that
effect; not even hint that we are to
so anywhere other than to Palo Alto"
1t has been difficult to trace the
rumor to it's source. It was current
on the streets last night, and was CIV
en- serious consideration by number
that discussed it. Their argument
was that North Dakota regiments had
been chosen for Philippine service be-
cause they are differed almost entire
ly by veterans of the Philippine war
who are familiar with the situation
there and will give as good service
in the islands as regulars can while
OCColA1AS IAC4!A w AAS ulclA OO4 VIZ
would relieve two regiments of regu-
lars which will be badly needed for
the differing and training of national
army divisions.
North Dakota officers who have SER
we'd in the Philippines, and these in
clude Colonels J. H. Frame of the First
and Frank White and Lieu. Colonels
Tharalson and Grafton of the Second;
Majors Frank S. Henry and Dana
Wright of the First and Majors c. F..
Mudgett and G. E. Geary of the Sec
ond, with Captains H. F. and J. w.
Murphy, Tom Lonnevik, T. S. Henry
and others, "too numerous to men
tion," number Of whom held COM
missions in the North Dakota vOlun-
teers at that time. Major Hanley is
a Spanish-American war veteran but
he served with Minnesota regiment,
at Chickamauga. ~
II have heard the report from vari-
Gus sources" said Major Wright of the
Second battalion when interviewed at
Fort Lincoln today, "but I can find no
basis for it. The only end which
would be gained by sending us to the
Philippines would be the releasing OF
two trained regiments of regulars, for
which the war department might have
use elsewhere"
Stuff at Pa|o Alto
While there still seems to be some
certainty as to the mobilization camp
for North Dakota troops, it is known
fact that all Of the camp equipment
for these regiments is going to Palo
Alto. There is some trouble locally
with regard to the Palo Alto camp,
some questions of sewerage and sani-
tary conditions which the war depart
ment demands be brought to standard
/ but local military authorities do not
believe there is any probability OF the
, camp site being abandoned entirely.
Rolling stock is being modified in
the Mandan yards for the handling OF
the North Dakota troops. A number
of baggage cars and some tourist
sleepers are assembled, and orders to
move are expected daily. The only
thing which now holds up the mobill.
cation is delay in completing the can
tonments, which are proving bigger
task than anticipated.
More Equipment
When the Second battalion marched
through the city this afternoon en-
route to Mandan every man, for the
first time, carried regulation Spring
field rife Sufficient arms to supply
every man reached Fort Lincoln this
morning, and the guns were immedi-
ately distributed to the several score
soldiers who had not formerly been
provided for. The battalion, which
now numbers 900 men, with the medi-
cal corps, still lacks some cartridge
belts, bayonets and minor bits of or
dinance, which it is anticipated will
come through within few days.. The
battalion has plenty of bedding, cloth
ing and other equipment and will
leave for camp almost completely &C
| clltred