From the News

Dated: September 22, 1915

TO PLACE TROOPS IN SMALL TOWNS

Minister of Militia Outlines New Scheme in Replying to Toronto Mayor

Toronto, September 17. -- Major-General Sir Sam Hughes, minister of militia, announced in an interview here today that the department may adopt an unexpected policy in housing troops in training this winter.

Instead of concentrating large bodies of troops now in camp, at big city training centres during the winter, the department may utilize drill halls, armouries, and other buildings in smaller cities and towns, and distribute regiments all about the country in that way.

The announcement was made in reply to Mayor Church's announcement recently that he would not allow soldiers without uniforms to winter in Toronto exhibition grounds.

"The mayor had better keep his esteemed nose clean," said Sir Sam, "or he won't have any soldiers here at all.  We will probably station the soldiers in the many fine drill halls in small cities.  Why should we go to great expense fixing up the exhibition grounds, when we have fine drill halls at our disposal?"

Toronto had expected to have 12,000 to 14,000 troops, now at Niagara camp, wintering here.  If the Minister of Militia's announced plan is carried out there will be great disappointment here.