The Washington times., 1921-09-03
Crisis Expected Today;
Gen. Bandholtz Reports
Situation As Quiet

by international News Service.
Today win see the crisis In The
West Virginia warfare. in the opinion
Of officials here.
With Federal troops in the trouble
zones In full force today, Secretary
of War Weeks again expressed hope
that the armed miners would dis.
perse and return to their homes and
that proclamation Of martial law
would be unnecessary. s j..
The Secretary said there was no
prospect of an early issuance Of the
proclamation. He was concerned
over the inability of the War De-
partment to get in touch with Gen.
eral Bandholtz and said II had been
impossible to get O complete report
from the general this morning. He
big engagements In Logan county or
elsewhere.
Officials at the national headquar-
tiers Of the American Red Cross here
were endeavoring today to communi.
cate with chapters in the West Nir-
ginia war zone to learn IL any chap.
tiers there were working with the
Federal troops In the field or with
the miners army.
The West Virginia disturbances
are regarded by officials here az
local affair, and assistance will not
be rendered from the national head
quarters until appeals are made by
the local chapters.
Reports from General Bandholtz,
in command Of the Federal iorce,
indicated conditions were quieting.
His latest report, this morning. said
hA .
Gen. Bandholtz has reported to the
War Department his plans for plac-
ing the Federal troops In the trouble
zone, II was announced today. The
plan of campaign viii be withheld
from publication. ~ ,
Reports from the office of Cover.
nor Morgan, Sheriff Don Chafin, of
Logan county, and Col. r. r. Smith,
of the logan defenders, indicated tho
crisis has been met with the arrival
Of Federal troops.
Martial Lazy Order Held Up.
The Administrations Is reluctant TO
establish martial law In West Vir-
ginia unless It becomes absolutely
necessary, II was said officially, and
final decision on the necessity for
such action has been placed In the
hands of General Bandholtz. Until he
recommends martial law the procia.
nation will be withheld, It was said.
. No mention for the necessity for
martial law was made by General
Bandholtz In his report this morn.
ing, Adjutant General Harris said.
The last detachment or troops was
due to arrive In West Virginia to-
day. and orders had been issued for
the distribution Of the troops along
a. H.
One reason that the Administration
In ioath tc declare martial law is
that II might interfere with business
in the West Virginia coal regions.
II II the hope Of officials that after
the arrival Of Federal troops the
situation win be such that military
rule viii not be necessary.
President Harding Is keeping in
closest touch with the situation and
10 delaying plans for a holiday trim
on the Mayflower until he Ia as.
sured the trouble win not necessltate
his presence in washintor,.
Secretary Weeks continued to with.
hold comment on the reports OF mil.
itary plans of General BandhoItz.
He said the general is handling the
situation as tactical problem and
may use whatever military methods
uOChh5 HcCcbShfy. w ME OIL.
Gals look for firm action from Gen.
eral Bapdholtz, they believe he will
not resort to any methods which may
further fan the flames Of the armed
forces.
Daugherty Gathering Evidence.
Attorney General Daugherty's
agents are keeping a close watch on
the developments. Extra staffs of
operatives are on the ground gather.
ing evidence and are transmitting
their reports to Washington for use
In possible action by the Department
of Justice.
From the Investigations already
conducted. the department IL now in
possession of much information deal.
ing with the scarcity Of alleged ring.
leaders in the uprisings in the dis
turbed region.
Al present the Government oper.
atiyes. under the Attorney Generals
supervision, are turning over to the
military authorities the facts gathered
In their searches and are co-ordinat-
Ing their entire work with the nc.
tvity OF the army officials.