The Washington herald., 1918-07-08
D. c. NATIONAL
GUARD SERVES
AT HOME ONLY
Men Who Enlist to Be Dis
charged on Request When
War Ends. ta

Much confusion has arisen In the
minds Of many citizens OF the District
of Columbia as to the possible mill
tary duties which members Of the
District National Guard win be called
upon to perform In the event Of great
emergencies. Brig. Gen. Richard d.
simms. commanding. has made public
a circular letter from Maj. Gen. J.
Mel. Carter. chief of the Militia Bu-
reau. War Department. This letter
clearly defines the War Departments
policy with reference to new National
Guard units.
Gen. simms also gave out letter
from the Militia Bureau which clears
up misunderstanding concerning the
6-yeaT enlistment called for by law.
That men taking this enlistment Will
be discharged at the end Of the war;
Is definitely stated In this letter, which
Is as follows:
II arn directed by the Secretary Of
War to inform you that men enlist
ing. or who have enlisted I'm the
National Guard since the declaration
OF war, whether In Federal service or
not, may be assured that, upon their
application. they will be discharged
after the termination OF the war.
(signe0 William A. Mann, Brig. Gen..
General STAFF"
District citizens are therefore urged
by Gen. Simms to enlist under the
6-year enlistment. His assurance Is
given that they will be discharged
upon asking at the end of the war.
Under the terms Of District Nation
al Guard legislation passed by the
Senate and now on the House calen-
dar, the enlistment will be only for
the period of the war and service
will be confined to the District of
Columbia, Virginia and Maryland,
and then only when the National
Capital Is in need of further military
protection or service than Is provided
by Federal troops.
Not for Overseas.
That the newly-forrned National
Guard troops will not be used for
overseas duty, is shown in the letter
from Gen. Carter. outlining the War
Departments policy. The letter fol-
lows:
"The following policy with reference
to National Guard units organized by
States since August 5. 1917. or which
may hereafter be organized during
the period Of the present war. having
been approved by the Secretary of
War. is published for the information
and guidance of all concerned:
81. The several States are author
lied, under existing laws. to organize
National Guard units to take the
place Of those drafted into Federal
service. When such troops have been
organized, inspected and recognized
as duly constituted National Guard.
the Federal government will comply
with the requirements OF law by fur
| nishing them such arms, clothing and
| equipment as may be available after
the reeds Of all troops in Federal
service have first been met.
Domestic Duty Only.
"2. Such National Guard troops will
| be maintained for domestic duty only
and will not be called or drafted into
Federal service during the period of
the present emergency for service be-
yond the seas.
"s. National Guard troops in State
service do not constitute a part OF the
army Of the United States, and. there
fore. their personnel OF selective draft
/
| service under the selective service reg
ulations without change of draft clas-
| sification.
"4. Inasmuch as a definite policy
\ with reference to the utilization. as a
| Federal force, Of units of the National
Guard recognized since August s. 1917,
had not been announced at the time
the new State organizations were
| formed, States are advised that they
may now continue these organizations
under the conditions named in para
graphs /, . and 8; or they may apply
to have such organizations disbanded
and the members thereof duly dis
charged from their obligations under
their oath of office or oath of enlist
| ment.
"J. Mel. CARTER,
Major General. National Army"