The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1921-09-03
2,10O TROOPS START
T0QUELL MINE RIOTS
War Department Will Meet
Instruction by Irresistible
Force, Says Weeks.
1000 MORE AWAIT CALL
Declaration of Martial Law
Depends on Action Taken by
Gen. BandhOltz.
1000 MORE AWAIT CALL

WAsHINGToS. Sept. 1.-THE War De-
partment set in motion to-day ma
chinery TO apply irresistible force TO
the disorderly elements in the five
mining counties of West Virginia
where labor disorders have smouldered
into what officials term instruction.
BY train from four army camps an
expeditionary troop force numbering
200 men was routed for separate
destinations on the edge OF the noun
tain country. Brig Gen. II. II. Band
holtz the Governments agent on the
scene. has been designated TO COM
mand the troops.
Behind the force in motion, Secre-
tarv Weeks said. were held as reserve
1000 more men, and bombing air
planes, which already have arrived in
the disturbed area.
President Harding's proclamation
formally putting Mcdowell Minso,
Logan. kanawha and Boone counties
under martial law Is in the hands Oh
Gen. Bandholtz and will be issued at
the discretion Of Secretary Weeks.
The Governments action in sending
troops into West Virginia. Secretary
weeks said to-day. evidently had the
= nnroval of mine union officials. as well
as the civil authorities OF West Nir-
ginia. who had asked for them. he
called attention TO Gen. Bandholt2s re-
mort earlier in the day that Philip Muir
raw. international vice-presdent OF the
United Mine Workers, had joined IN
urging upon him the recommendation for
troops.
when railroads are closed up and
armed bands OF men establish them
selves in the country, marching to and
fro. overpowering resistance" the Sec
rotary said, you may call 1t what you
please. We call It lnsurrection."
The Nineteenth Infantry from Camp
sherman and Columbus. Ohio. and the
Twenty-sixth from Camp Dix. New
Jersey. were the first TO move for the
scene OF the disorders The Nineteenth
Infantry was brought to field strength
BY requirements from the Tenth In
fantry at Camp Sherman and Columbus,
the Fortleth infantry at Camp Knox.
Kentucky. and two companies from Fort
Thomas. Kentucky.
officers OF the War Department famil-
lar with martial law precedents and the
policy of the administration. said the
extent and duration Of its existence in
West Virginia, IL declared. would depend
largely upon the discretion OF Gen.
Bandnoltz
Its primary object. Il was explained. Is
the queiilng OF disturbance and the re
lnstatemeut or proper and constituted
civil authority In the disturbed area.
The message from Gen. Esndholtz on
which the troop movement was ordered
vas given out By the War Department
as follows:
Investigators returned about l. 80
tonight. The invaders have not
obeycd Presidents proclamation and
there r. no apparent intention 10 do
so II Is therefore recommended that
the troops now held In readiness be
sent 10 Yves. virginia without delay.
An earlier communication from Gen
Bandholtz said
IL IL believed that the withdrawal
OF the invaders as promised by
Kceney and Mooney respectively
president and vice.president Of tho
district miners union) would have
been satisfactorily accomplished but
for tho tardy sending OF trains and
particularly but for the III advised
and III timed advance movement OF
state Constabulary on the night OF
August 81. resulting In boodshed
II IL expected that military forces will
cooperate with State police and local
police officers. that no military courts
will be set up for trial and punishment
Of ca ptured disturbers OF the peace. and
that local business and industry will be
encouraged to continue. Exception TO
This general policy. II was said. would
he occasioned only by prolonged and
virucnt disorders. which could be
stamped out only by military operations.
Continued on seccsd Page.