New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-04-19
FOR d NAVAL RESERVE.
EFFORTS TO ORGANIZE GOOD FORCE OF
CITIZEN SAILORS.

| EFFORTS TO ORGANIZE GOOD FohCE oE
| CITIZEN SAILORS.
| There has been recently organized In this city
Naval Reserve Association created for the purpose Oh
fostering the interests OF the naval reserve movement
throughout the State, raising battaons and LOOKING
after the necessary legislation for securing the per
Iency and efficiency Of the various organizations on
much difficulty has been experienced In all FORMER NJ
tempts at creating reserve for service a1oat IN ume
| Of war; owing to want OF concentrated ana we'll
| directed effort that numper Of prominent yaehtsmen
and others interested in maritime and naval aairs have
come together with determination TO push the natVei
to the best OF their ability and to devote their ume
and means toward securing sufficient batanons In Vari-
Gus places where the surroundings are favorable 10 the
undertaking. State naval militia Is what is aimed
| at, having the same relation to the navy Us the
National Guard bears to the Army.
The Civil War proved what great benefits could be
derived from we'll trained military organizations, and
ii also showed the country's weakness as sea going
community 1t was difficult to find suitable men,
at one period of the great struggle to man the various
squadrons. that repeated drafts were made upon the
army to fill up the Compliments 1t Is far easier 10
make soldier than 1t is to make sailor. Both are
trained for fighting but the element on which the
soldier has his exercises and combats is natural one
whereas life upon the ocean has other terrors In add
ton to those of warfare The many changes that have
been mdde in weapons. the general INTRODUCTION OF
mechanical devices to replace manual labor, ana
the numerous improvements in the engine ana lire
rooms tend toward confusing those who are not trained
on modern war ships. The restricted quarters and the
general sense of being confined within close limits add
greatly to the sense of stangeness and make IL all the
more necessary that there should be body OF well
trained men, thoroughly equipped and under good dis
clpljne upon whom reliance could be placed to come
to the aid Of the general Government II their services
were required
nf Ia--
prise to know that there has actually been battalion
Of four companies OF naval in existence In
this city for year and half and that whenever posi-
BILE they have had their exercises on board the old
frigate Minnesota owing TO the fact that the ship
needed extensive repairs and was kept over at the
brooklyn Navy Yard for several months, drills were
suspended on board, but the battalion determined to
do its best TO carry on the work so aupcously begun
held its drills in an arnory belonging to one OF the
militia regiments. without arms or equipments and
with small treasury, but little real work Of the kind
best calculated to develop the idea could be carried on
Under such circumstances the popularity so necessary
TO push such undertaking was not possible ana the
ranks OF the battalion have never been filed to 800
the limit fixed by law to entlte the organization to be
regularly enrolled
The Naval Reserve Association IS in no sense rival
OF this battalion, but on the contrary 1t has
its good al heart and intends doing its utmost
to develop it, but lines somewhat diter-
ent from those already followed. Very many
Of the members of the association are not able rom
some one cause another to enlist in the Dattaons'
but they are we'll qualified TO organize item and 10
secure uniformity. State legislation must from time
to time be secured and various concessions from the
general Government will be solicited neither OF which
would probably be obtaEabe without concerted ACTON
from influential sources.
The maritime community In general has not taken
the interest in the movement that it is now thought
rltf t1o ~
new and splendid commercial marine comes the ne
cessty for manning the vessels with percentage OF
their compliments Of naval reserve men and officers
Such is the custom with foreign powers, and should the
services Of the ships be required for use as auxiliary
cruisers right at hand we'll accustomed to tier
vessel and at the sAne time sufficiently well trained
to be valuable nIcleus for an organization OF the
fighting crew to rally around.
The drills On shpboard for 1t is proposed to get enc
of the wooden naval vessels for the purpose while CIV
ing the mer good knowledge Of infantry drill Will
also include handling the various kinds OF cannon and
machine guns. cutass and pistol exercise toTpedoes
seamanshp, navigation OF practical Kind signalling
by night and by day, and other exercises OF similar
nature. During the season 1t is proposed to
have regular naval brigade armed and equipped for
service on shore, with view of having it form an
auxiliary force the regular brigade from the vessels
OF the squadron by carrying ont this plan it Is
thought that the reserve will gradually become thor
the bay where their services would be of value in
war times.
When the harboT defence vessels are In commission
1t is proposed to obtain permission OF the Navy De-
partent to have series Of drills and Instructions on
reserve viii most naturally be OF greatest value.
II is well known fact that militia always are Of
most service in the parts Of the country in which they
are enlisted and that, as rule they object 70 going
to any great dista; from home Such being the case
II is thought probable that naval would do its
hdrDOr
its members have been accustomed TO cruise about
defence ships they release for general service number
Of men-of-wars men who would be Of far more value
The Navy gains by the movement in having at its
back an INTELLIGENT and powerful body urging the pas
sage Oh faV0ible leg station and creating public sentl
ment in sympathy with that arm Of the service, and
also because ifs members appreciate the value OF having
will also be brought in close touch with the people
many of whom they regret 10 feel do not apprecato
b M ey3ccIaiIT irnr Of the Inland sections Of the
country and Z is felt that naval reserve battalions
in some OF the principal lake cities would go far to-
ward eradicating tbs feeling: - ,..,..,. |
The headquarters OF the Naval Reserve Association |
are Al No West Tweny-ninthst.. and are open every
evening for the transaction Of business and the recruit
ing OF the batGiions which 10 IS orSanlzihg. Ihere
already 100 member 81 e anS o le
city. There Is ALREADY large number Of yachtsmen
who have Joined 10 when cas- o. men inc ioea seems
CARRYING freight and passengers that run N and ont OF
this port and The vast number Of people engaged ~
10 furnish the material for the bataions In much |
greater numbers than will be required, and former
Officers and enlisted men Of the navy, who are now |
engaged I'm mercantile pursuits arc most desirable |
element for the necessary technical knowledge the new
will reQu re. - ..-,,
The establishment in this city Of strong battalion |
NJ state Naval Militia and Its early enrolment In the |
STATE service is now dOuby assured. In the last few
days conferences have taken place between tine Of |
fcers % the Naval Reserve Assoclauon ana on the |
ct Provisional Battalion tending toward the merging
Of the latter body with the recruits tiat nave 9een s
rolled by the association. This result VIII obviate me
necessity OF the association organizing their recruits
over 100 I'm number into another separate battalion,
md will bring info The new body the training and ex'
perlencc Of the 100 or men who have been drng
on beard the United States steamer innesOi CURING
the last eighteen months AT meeting OF the BOARD
III Governors Of the Naval Reserve Association ed AT
their rooms No. West Twenty nlntl-st, weeh ago
j. w. Miller. formerly llertenant United states navy.
uas elected commander OF the battalion when j. now
neing enrolled by the association. Mr.. Miller was
graduated from the Naval Academy In 1908 and nrer
serving with distinction resigned from the service ~
ss1. and IS tie president OF the Provldence Mg
Steamship Company and ylce-presdent OK
lie association. The plan OF mergng the prOsperuye
,attsion of the association with the provisional DAY