The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-04-22
1000 Men May Be Enlisted in
This State.
War Department Authorizes
Huffman To Form Units.
WON'T AFFECT HOME GUARDS
Troops To Be Subject to Call
Anywhere in Z. s.
Infantry Regiments Are To Be
Recruited First.

Nearly 1000 additional Kansas
fighting men-subject to call any
place in the United States-nay be
enlisted in new national guard units
under an authorization today by the
war department. The authorization
was received by Charles S. Huffman.
1t will permit the state to enlist and
equip three regiments of infantry, one
regiment of artillery and one squad
ron of cavalry.
Under the authority extended to
General Huffman today, this state may
equip and enlist national guard organ
lzations to the same strength as the
old national guards at the time they
were called into federal service. This
will permit of three regiments of in
fantry, regiment of artillery and
squadron of cavalry. Immediate ac-
ton will be taken by General Huff
man looking to the recruiting of men
for this service. Men not subject to
call under the seIective draft will be
recruited. Two regiments of infantry
will be raised at once.
Subject to Border Call.
All men in the new national guards
will be subject to border or coast serv-
ice, or such service as may be desig-
mated in this country. The new
guardsmen will not be called into
service overseas, it has been stated.
should all of the organiza tions be re-
crulted and equipped this summer
Kansas would raise war strength or
sanizations totaling practically 1000
men. General Huffman has not
worked out the details of his enlist
ment program. While he will imme-
dlately take steps toward the organi-
zation OF two regiments of infantry
the new national guard units NAV be
placed on a peace, rather than a war
footing. "0-
The order from the war depart
Ihent provides for the orga nization of
national guard units similar to those
authorized in this state before the old
national guards were called into fed
erdl service, said General Huffman
While it is proba BILE that all of the
units Will not be provided at this time
immediate steps will be taken to put
the new program into effect We will
start with two regiments of national
guards and will build up the other or
carnations as rapidly as possible The
need of equipment for the men over
seas may hold back some of the or
Sanizations."
Won't Affect Homo Guards.
The new order does not in any man
ner affect the status of the home or
state guards. While many of the men
in these organizations may enroll for
service in the new national guards. the
order from the war department does
not provide for or anticipate the dis
bandment of these units More than
$50 state guard units have been organ
lied in the state Men in the local de-
fense service of the state total more
than $4,000 men. These men are sub
ject to call for service only in Kansas.
With the new organizations of ma
tional guards, a national defense
organization will be perfected for ser
vice anywhere in the United States.
The units will be organized. equipped
and drilled in the same manner as the
old national guards. They will then
be held subject to any call which the
government may make, except that
they are exempted from over seas
calls.