Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1921-09-01
Camp Devens' Future
Now Under Consideration
Needed for Training Troops

NeeQe0 Tor framing troops
Today is the date set when Camp
Devens, Massachusetts, is supposed
to be abandoned.
Some months ago, the War Depart
ment announced that this would be
done and 1t has generally been assum-
ed that the famous cantonment will
soon be no more.
But inquiry made at the camp by
Journal reporter during the recent
tour of duty of the Sd Maine resulted
in little information being gained on
the subject. The 24o0 buildings are
still there and, for the most part. are
in good shape. The fine macadam
ready for the continuance of military
training. The railroad yard is one Of
the finest in the whole of New Eng
land.
| Yet, according to the official die
tum. the camp is to be abandoned
and the officers in charge of supplies
have been told little as to what they
are to do and where they are to go.
Brig. Gen. Mark J.. Hersey. COM
mander of the camp, has been or
dered to Virginia. Some Of the other
er posts but there are still thousands
and thousands of dollars worth Of
valuable property in the building.
Huge stores of ordnance are there as
well as immense quantities of equip
ment. Medical supplies are kept in
large amounts and there are still
troops present.
While the official date of the clos
ing of the camp is given as Sept. 1,
it is certain that it will be many
weeks before the camp actually
believe that the camp will never be
really abandoned.
There has been such a big sum of
money invested here" remarked one
man. that the Government simply
can't afford to quit the place. Camp
Devens may not be the finest spot in
the world, but in many ways it is far
superior to any other one of the war
camps. Some place must be had in
New England where the National
Guard regiments may have their an
better than Devens. Everything
needed is to be found there and it is
well located so that troops from all
of the states may be sent to the
spot.
u have heard that the CLOSING or
der of the War Department may he
changed so that a part of the i'm
mense reservation may be kept as a
training area for National Guard
troops. This could be done without
great difficulty and the Guard would
receive an encouragement that it
would not have if forced to train in
home states"
. If the Sd Maine doesn't 80 to
Devens next year, there are many
wondering where it will go. Some
are Of the impression that it Will go
to Camp Dix in New Jersey while
others say that old muster field in
Augusta may again be utilized. This
latter contingency is hardly thought
probable. as there is not really room
enough in Augusta for the modern
training of troops. It is always bet
ter, too. to have the Guardsmen go to
a place away from their own home
town.
In the meanwhile, interest in the
National Guard in Maine is growing
more than it has ever done before.
The personnel of the various organi-
cations is Of the highest and as soon
as official word is received from
Washington as to what additional
units are needed, it is certain that
they will be recruited.
Whether the Maine men ever see
Devens again or not viii not inter-
fere with the development Of the
Guard which is sure to go on just the
same.