Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 108, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 15 May 1918 — NEW MILITIA MAY SEE SERVICE ON BORDER [ARTICLE]

NEW MILITIA MAY SEE SERVICE ON BORDER

Indianapolis, Ind., May 14.—Indiana’s new state militia, Which organized after the old Indiana’‘national guard was taken into the Federel service may yet see a little service on its own hook. There is a report in circulation here that the War Department has asked the Indiana officials to state how many troops of the state militia would be willing to enter the Federal service for duty outside the state, and that the state officials had answered that the entire state militia could be available for service. Governor Goodrich declined to make any comment -on the report. It is said that the threatening situation on the Mexican border and in the Mexican oil fields entered into consideration of the matter. Reports from Mexico in recent weeks have told of the activities of German agents in that country against the Uhited States, and of an attempt to shut off the supply of oil from the Tampico fields for the entente allies. Under the law the state militia is not required to perform service outside the state,.but it is believed that practically every man in the present organization would volunteer and take the new oath for foreign service or any other kind of service for the country, if needed. The state militia is composed almost entirely of men of draft age but who are in deferred classes, or of men who are above the draft age. It is thought that the possibility of active service may have a stimulating effect on recruiting for the state militia. There are three regiments in the militia. The First regiment is commanded by Col. W. B. Gray, of Covington, and comprises companies in the' western and southern parts of the state. The Second regiment, under command of Col. Charles A. Garrard, of Indianapolis, includes the Indianapolis companies. The Third regiment is commanded by Col. Harrison, of Columbus City, and is composed of northern Indiana *ompanies. There are thirty-seven companies in the state militia.