Martinsburg journal. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1920-1977, 1921-09-02
Troops Rushed To Charleston

AGRA.
Troops Rushed To Charleston
Washington, Sept. Federal
troops were today ordered into
West Virginia to dispense the arm
I'd bands of miners who are threat
ening an invasion OF the Mingo
county coal region there. Major
General Hartford, chief of staff, an
nounced that he has ordered the
18th Infantry from Camp sherman,
o., and the 264th Infantry from
Camp Dix, N. j.. to proceed immed-
lately to West Virginia in response
to q request from General Band
holtz, representative Of the presi-
dent in West Virginia. General
Hartford stated that he had this
morning taken action without wait
ing the proclamation Of martial law
and al an early hour today he was
unable to say whether the presi-
dent had issued the martial law
proalo~'a+iOn.
TIE loops probably entrained
about four o'clock this morning,
General Hartford said
General Hartford announced later
that he had been advised definitely
that the proclamation of martial law
has not yet been issue1 and indi-
Gated that it probably d not be
promulgated until later 4 the day.
The lack of a proclama II Of mar
tisl law will not interfere with the
movement and operation of the
troops, General Harbord said.
At 500 it was announced at the
Office of Secretary Weeks hat a de-
cision on the proclamat = of mar
tial law is now pendinr ne receipt
of additional reports from General
Bandholtz
The telegram received from Gen
eral Bandholtz early today declared
that the armed forces were not in
dicating any intent to dispense and
that the situation appeared to be
critical with the immediate need of
troops, General Harbord said,
Since this telegram was received
ho further report has been received
from General Bandholtz.
The two regiments Of infantry
should reach the disordered regions
before noon, General Hartford be
jieVes On their arrival there they
pre- to be under the command of
General Bandholtz, who will issue
ouch orders as he may see fit.
Whether a third regiment of infan-
try. now standing by at Camp Dix
hwaiting orders, will be ordered in
TO West Virginia today depends up
pm future reports and recommends
lions from General Bandholtz.
The troops now en- route are I'M
der orders to proceed to Charles
ton, w. Va, where their command
ing officers will report to General
Bandholtz who will take over the
command and dispose of the forces
rs he sees fit. General Bandholtz is
under no restrictive orders and is
ealled upon to handle the situation
rs a tactical one. using whatever
military methods he may deem best.
Having served as Provost Mar
shal General of the Philippines, and
| having acted in the same capacity
| with the American EXpeditionary
Forces. General Bandholtz is well
| Fitted to cope with just such situa-
lions as now confront him in West
Virginia. A squadron of airplanes is
based at Charleston, and General
Bandholtz may use these forces as
he desires. The war department has
ordered a supply of tear gas bombs
sent to Charleston and if the COM
officer chooses he may at
kisnrt to ere~1o, +F.s method of dis
persing the L.
The regiments OF infantry order
into the troubled zones include a
machine gun company. All forces
Rre carrying large stores Of ammunl-
ton and supplies. General Harbord
Estimates that the troops from
Camp Sherman should be the first
to arrive on the scene and should
sreport to General Bandholtz six
shours after entraining.