New-York tribune., 1921-09-01
President Ready to Sign
Edict for Martial Law
in 5 West Va. Counties
if Bandholtz Requests
Men Invite Attack,
Declares Governor
Warns of Threat to Blow
Up Troop Trains; TIVE
Regiments Wait Order

NASalNO lON, aug. Oh ne +
sral government stood ready to-nig
70 act in West Virgins should to-mo
rows reports show lack OF complain u
With President Harding's proclamatiSh
calling on all persons engaged in "m
lawful and insurrectionary procea
ings" to return to their homes.
Two regiments of troops Of 1,dpo
men each, one at Camp Sherman, on 10,
and the other at Camp Dix, New Jers y,
were in readiness to move into the Sd tie
on moments notice, War Departm bit
officials said.
A proclamation declaring martialsk iw
in FIVE West Virginia counties hi as ben
drawn up and signed by the residnt
ready for promulgation.
No Hint of Compliano Ee
Officials, however, remain ked till
hopeful tonight that neither, Of tlese
steps would be necessary, althugh
their spirit of optimism had Xbeen ow-
cred during the day By dispa tch'es from
the disturbed area telling TOT cl@hes
between bands of armed nd een and state
authorities and containir1k Be no indica~
'ions OF a disposition itoV comply with
she Presidents proclanatE Eon.
Decision as to whetheH the FEDERAL
government will order trbops inn the
state and declare mar4ial lava stem
3yhich has not been takcn in any state
since the days immediat@ ely following
kke CiTils War--will depend on .sondi-
shons as reported by Brigadier General
81. H. Bandholtz at noon to-ulorrow
She hour fixed as a limit bv President
Harding. General Bandholtz left Wash
lngton late to-day, and on arriving in
Charleston early tomorrow will bepin
a survey OF the situation.
+ The declaration of military rrle and
the use OF troops to enforce it. if found
necessary by General Bandholtz, it was
stated, VIII be confined to Eanawha.
fayette, Boone, Logan and Mingo conn
LIES, comprising a section in the south
western part OF the state and enbrac-
ing Charleston, the state capital.
threaten TO Blow Up Trains
Reports from several points in the
disturbed area were forwarded to Seco
retary of War Weeks by Governor Mo-
gan during the day. They said tha+
the armed men resented orders to dis
perse, declaring they would force Tho
government to declare martial law and
threatening to blow up troop trains in
State i"'o lhe
A telegram signed by members Of the
vest Virginia delegation which CON
lelfec yesterday with Secretary Weeks.
Ieacnsd the War Department late to-
day from Charleston. 'o W.
The committee callinp on vo, ,
terday Just returned to Charleston >,
the message said, "and find m;na.s ;Va.
from practically every camp in -, ths .
hanawha- -Fayette- Boone section rrsh
ing TO the Logan-Boone line. We ner-
scnaI!y saw several men on our return
y.,h wi'h nlgh-powered rifles. in automo-
Diies' rushing to the troubled zone. The
uovernor is just advised from Logan
may hrlng is taking place at the ton
~; u, sne mountain, near the Logan Boone
I'he; state is rushing reinforcements
~ F. sha' point from every available sta
uoh. Miners openly state. according
70 reports to the Governor, they wifi
Nv Mos OBEY Presidents proclamation.
necessary that Federal troops be sent
a. a. once, II loss Of life is to be avoided
Wore than 5000 men under arms close
way" '''0'e o'1 'heir
Weeks Advises Governor
!, General Bandholtz, on leaving Wash
i,ngton, carried letter from Secretary
weeks to Governor Morgan. 1t read;
fou nave received the Presidents
proclamation ordering the insurrec
s.iiohafy element in West Virginia to re-
'ife peaceably to their homes by noon
W oeftem ber l, 1921. / am sending
VI general Fl. H. Bandholtz, the bearer
u this letter. with instructions to re-
pof1 to me the extent to which the
ofaer OF the President is obeyed In
use us, IL becomes necessary to send Fed
val ~ troops this officer is designated to
s2emmand them. May ask that YOU will
sn9fd him every possible assistance
az az cooperation in the way of offices,
t,s. ses. iers and clerks. quarters,
ssanspo' tion, etc?
n.t " earnestly hope that it may
ers; zee necessary to employ Fed
h. Hoo 5. If they are used it will
noa ~ e ore peace and order in the
rros, 1s enc 1--WE and prompt way. The
toiem tsru III be regarded by the mill
one.n purify as a tac1icai