of Governor Herbert E. O'Conor 619

Through conferences among the Military, Naval, State Guard and Minute
Men officials, operation plans for each area will be carefully prepared, I am
assured by the Third Corps Headquarters. Surveys will be made to determine
the importance of facilities and installations which might be subjected to sabo-
tage and raids; the availability of Military and Naval police and State Guard
forces; and the quality and type of communications which are available for
notification for additional protective forces when necessary.

Based on these surveys, definite missions will be assigned each of the
organizations concerned; and the proper liason will be arranged. All available
fire arms will be reported and those individuals to be armed with rifles will be
assigned to tasks where the long-range and1 accurate fire of rifles will be neces-
sarily employed. Those to be armed with shot guns will be assigned tasks
where the short range, spreading fire of shot guns will be most effective.

As I attempted to outline before, no unnecessary discipline and training
will be required. However, as this is serious business there will be exacted
from all members obedience to orders, sobriety, and self-sacrifice. Military
advisors suggest that time need not be spent on close-order or other military
drill. It is not intended that this be a parade organization. But officers and
men must be willing to cooperate and to devote time and work to meet any local
situation.

I should also point out another cardinal rule of the new organization. We
all know that an enemy raiding party does not stop to give considerations to a
victim's social background, or to his political affiliaton, or to class distinction.
Therefore, I give assurance that such considerations will completely absent
from the organization, training and discipline of the Maryland Minute Men
from top to bottom.

I now issue a call for volunteers to serve as Maryland Minute Men. Ar-
rangements have been made to accept enlistments at once. State headquarters
for the new organization will be the Office of the Adjutant General of Maryland,
Fifth Regiment Armory, Baltimore. However, persons can make known their
readiness to serve at any of the State Armories, one of which is located in all
the counties of Maryland except five. In these five counties; where no armories
exists, namely, Garrett, Howard, St. Mary's, Calvert and Charles Counties,
other headquarters will be established, the location of which will be made known
through the local press.

Already arrangements are made to receive group enlistments from the
membership rolls of Rifle Clubs, Trap Shooting Associations, Skeet Clubs and
sportsmen's groups of every type. The number of units to be formed in dif-
ferent sections of the State will depend upon the size and population of the
area and also upon the important public facilities and military objectives, which
are designated by the War Department in different sections of our State.

I wish to repeat that in every move, with respect to this organization, the
advice and direction of Army officials will be sought, as has been the practice
in connection with the organization and functioning of the Maryland State
Guard.