The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-07-27
GUARD NEEDS YOU
One Hundred More Recruits for
Ninth Battalion Here.
Practically 10000 Have Been
Enlisted ThruOut Kansas. *
NOT LIKE NATIONAL GUARD
Physical Requirements Not as
Strict for Home Men.
Topeka Troops Appeared in
Uniform Friday Night.

One hundred men is Topeka's
quota in the drive which will begin
next week to enlist new recruits for
the Ninth battalion of the Kansas
State Guard. Practically 1900 men
now have been enlisted in the varf-f
GUS units formed over the state and
the Ninth battalion needs 100 more
men to bring 1t up to full strength for
the battalion review the first Monday
night in August.
Recruiting has been brisk during
the last couple of weeks and a warn
ing has been issued to men wishing to
enlist that the ranks are filling up
rapidly. Uniforms for a full strength
battalion have arrived and were dis
tributed to the men Friday night. The
rifles-the 1908 Krag model of
Spring fieid-are also on the road, it is
said.
Chance for Topeka Men.
Topeka men who cannot get into
the national army or the national
guard should enlist in the state
guard" said Maj. Purl B. sHamlin,
commanding the Ninth battalion. 1--WE
want good men and there are hun
dreds of them in Topeka who are dis
qualified for other service who could
be helping their country and state in
this manner. It is your duty and it
requires so little of your time that I
cannot understand how men who are
in position to give it can refuse when
million of our brothers are making
sacrifices ten thousand times greater
on the battlefields off Europe. The
period of enlistment is for the duration
of the war and one year thereafter"
Not the National Guard
The state guard should not be con-
fused with the national guard, which
is now being organized. Adjutant
Geenral Huffman explains the differ
ence:
The state guard has done a great
work by keeping down any disloyal
sentiment that may have existed. 1t
is composed of patriotic citizens who
are giving their time and efforts for
their country and state. The national
guard is now being organized and will
be made up of the same class of citf-
Zens who volunteer for this service.
The requirements for the national
guard are more stringent than for the
state guard as to age and physical
| fitness. But during the war there is
work for both organizations and they
| should received the encoura cement of
every patriotic Acitizen. The national
training and l. these two units we
can reach a large lumber who can
avail themselves of it.
"Slurring and uncomplimentary De-
| marks about such organizations as the
state guard certainly would not indi-
1 u te d TOT there IS
not a more patriotic, finer organiza-
| ton in the country and those who
| seek, by word or deed, to make it out
| otherwise should, in my opinion, be
| punished the same as disIoyal per-
| sons"
Appear in Uniforms.
The men of the Ninth battalion ap-
peared for the first time in their COM
| plete uniforms in the parade in honor
| of the drafted men who left Topeka
Friday night. Officers say they are
now prepared to equip all new recruits
with uniforms. The rifles will arrive
soon, it is expected, at which time the
| men will be drilled in the use of arms
Opportunities for the battalion. to
show its usefulness may be presented
| this fall and winter. it is rumored.
The guard is not liable for duty out
| side the state and it is probable that
| the Ninth battalion-Topeka's unit
will never be called outside of Shaw
nee county.
| When the uniforms were distributed
Friday night the men were impressed
| with the importance of taking good
care of them. as they remain the prop
| erty Of the battalion and must be re-
| turned in the best possible condi-
ton consistent with the time they have
been worn when the wearer is dis
charged.
| Men wishing to get into the state
guard while there is still time can do
so at Fullerton Bros, store or at the
state house grounds on drill nights
| Nond@1r a$d