Evening Republican, Volume 18, Number 91, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 16 April 1914 — Recruits For Active Duty Will Be Drilled. [ARTICLE]

Recruits For Active Duty Will Be Drilled.

The writer, who is the captain of the local militia company, has believed for the past two years that sooner or later the United States will intervene in Mexico. If this is done the militia of the country will doubtless be called into active service. Militia companies furnish only the nucleus for war strength organizations. The present enlisted strength of Company M, stationed at Rensselaer, is forty-six... A fully enlisted company for active service consists of 108, The recruiting for these companies will not be done at home in ease of active call, but the companies would be mobilized at Portßenjamin Harrison, Indianapolis, and filled up after arrival there. It would be much more desirable, however, if one were to enter active service to go out with a home organization. This being the case, and believing that there are hundreds of patriotic young men in Jasper county who would answer the call of country, it has been arranged to have the armory open on Saturday night of this- week and each Saturday night thereafter and on other nights if there are any who want to so arrange. Recruits will be enlisted and given their first drills, and 'equipped with the clothing, etc. The drills, however, will npt be confined to those who desire to enlist, but any young man can join beginner’s class and receive instruction even though he may not want to enlist. Every able bodied man between the ages of 18 and 45 is subject to draft and should his services ever 'be required he will find it an advantage to have had some military training. He will be better able to render valuable service to his country and better able to protect 'himself. If we should intervene in Mexico there would be many hardships. None should consider enlistment who lack the devotion to their country that will make them uncomplaining servants in time of danger. Not much of a soldier would result if his love of country was not sufficient to overcome his timidity and to nerve him to endure the exegencies necessary to. sustain his country’s cause. The offer to give some preparatory training to all who wish to come contains no obligation of enlistment. All that is required is that strict adherence to military discipline and authority be observed. Should any care to enlist they will be given the medical examination anrj their applications taken.