The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1921-09-01
TROOPS AWAIT CALL,
MINERS DEFIANT
Two L. s. Regiments of 1000
Men Each Ready to Move if
Bandholtz Says Word.
DECISION AT NOON TO-DAY
Harding's Proclamation Of
Martial Law for Five W. Va.
Counties Is Written.

WAsHTNGToN. Aug. 31.-The Federal
government stood ready tonight TO ac,
n West Virginia should tomorrow re-
ports show lack of compliance with
president Harding's proclamation call
,ng on all persons engaged In unlawful
ana insurrectionaiy proceedings ITO re-
turn to their homes"
Two regiments Of troops of a thou
sand men each. one at Camp Sherman,
emo ana the other at Camp Dix. New
Jersey were in readiness to move into
the State on moments notice. War
Department officials said
"A proclamation declaring martial law
IN I'VE West Virginia counties has been
drawn up and signed by the President.
ready for PRONUNCIATION
Officials. however remained still
hopeful tonight that neither OF these
steps would be necessary. although des-
patches from the disturbed area telling
or clashes between bands of armed men
ana state authorities and containing no
indications Of a disposition TO comply
with the Presidents proclamation.
Depends on Bandhotrz aep-rt.
Whether the Federal Government viii
order troops into the State and declare
martial lava step that has not been
mediately following the civil war-wili
depend on conditions as reported by
Brighten. Bandholtz at noon to-mor-
row, the hour fixed as a limit by Presi-
dent Harding. Gen. Bandholtz left
washington late to-day. and on arriving
IN Charleston early tomorrow will be-
gin new survey OF the situation
Reports from several points in the dis
tnroed area We're forwarded to Secretary
Weeks by Gov Morgan during the day
Iley said that the armed men resented
orders to dispense, declaring they would
force the Government to declare martial
law and threatening to blow up troop
trains in the event soldiers were sent into
the State.
A telegram signed by members of the
West Virginia delegation. which con-
TERED yesterday with Secretary Weeks,
reached the War Department late to-
day from Charleston
THE committee calling on you yester-
day just returned to Charleston" the
message said "and find miners from
practically every camp in the Kanawha-
Fayette-Boone section rushing in Logan
Boone line We personally saw several
men on our return with high powered
rifles in automobiles rushing to the
troubled zone. The Governor is just
advised fruSn Logan that firing is TAX
ing place al the top Of the mountain
near the Logan-Boo line. State is
rushing achievements to that point
from every available station.
Miners Defying President.
Miners openly state. according to re-
ports to the Governor. they will not
obey Presidents proclamation. Neces-
sary that Federal troops be sent at once
II loss of life is to be avoided. More
than five thousand men under arms close
70 Boope-Logan line and more on their
way"
Cen. Bandholtz. on leaving Washing
ton, carried letter from Secretary
Weeks to Gov. Morgan. IL said:
You have received the President
proclamation ordering the Instruction
airy element in West Virginia TO retire
reaceably to their homes by noon on
September /, 1921 l am sending Gen.
II. II. Bandholtz. the bearer of this let
ter. with instructions to report to me the
extent to which the order OF the Presi-
dent Is obeyed. In case 1t becomes
necessary 10 send Federal troops this
officer Is designated TO command them.
May ask that you will afford him every
possible assistance and cooperation in
the way of offices, stenographcrs and
clerks. quarters. transportation. &C.
i very earnestly hope that Il may
not become necessary TO employ Federal
troops. IL they arc used il will Sc 10
restore peace and order in the most eff
fective and prompt way. The problem
viii be regarded by the military au-
thorities purely as tactical one"