Evening star., 1942-02-23
'0'Conor Calls
For Formation
of Home Guard
Stresses Defense
Need as Maryland
Isin Target Areo'
BY the Associated Press.

ANNAPOLIS, Feb. 23.-Gov.
O'Conor, announcing creation Of re-
serve militia units to bolster civilian
defense, said today it seems vitally
important" that coastal States arm
their citizens for protection in the
event of enemy raids.
The Governor said the State con-
stitution empowered him TO pre-
pare and call the militia to q re-
serve military status. in order to be
ready for such service as our men
can render in protection of the lives
and properties Of our citizens, and
for the preservation OF our State
and national freedoms"
Voluntary Basis.
Enrolment and organization OF
the reserve militia units would be
undertaken at the outset on a volun-
tary basis. the Governor said, add
ing that the plan had the approval
of Federal and State military au-
thorities.
"The reserve militia units could
drill in the evenings and get rife
range training over week ends and
on holidays, and thus not disrupt
their regular work for defense or
daily lives, unless a greater emer-
gency developed, in which event
their lives and work will necessarily
be disorganized," the Governor said.
He compared the reserve militia
units to the English Home Guard,
organized in support of the British
Army, with every able bodied man
not otherwise engaged in defense
service armed and determined to
protect their homes and loved ones
against enemy attack"
In this plan am entirely mind
full that there are living in Mary
land today thousands of men who
had considerable military training,
including actual combat expert
ence, in 1917 and 1918" the Gov
ernor said.
They are still able and willing
to join in organizing these reserve
militia units and to stand in defense
of their homes should that require
ment Develop.
Arms to Be Asked.
Gov. O'Conor said the War De-
partment will be asked to give us
such arms and equipment as can be
spared from the primary require
ment of supplying the Regular
Army" and added an increasing
amount of serviceable arms and
equipment not considered sufficiently
modern for overseas use would be-
come available for the Reserves.
This is one of the times In Amer
ican history when 1t seems vitality
important and entirely appropriate
that the coastal States should arm
their citizens to the fullest extent
that caution requires and that the
means at hand allow" Gov. O'Conor
said.
Nothing will be left undone to
afford necessary protection for our
people. as the Federal officials have
informed me of the dangers which
confront the Maryland people, sit
uated as we are in the target
area.
The Reserve Militia units would
be composed of unpaid private cit
izens who would serve in addition to
and entirely distinct and separate
from. the Maryland State Guard,
uniformed force which supplanted
the now Federalized National Guard.
Members of the State Guard, paid
when in active service, have been
assigned to patrol duty in vital de-
fense areas.
Gov. O'Conor said that further
details of the organization will be
made public after additional con-
ferences are held with Army officers
who will be consulted about all
phases of the situation"