The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-11-18
THE NAVAL MILITIA.
Growing in Interest, but More En-
courasement Is Needed.

Washington city, Nov. 17.-Assistant Sec
rotary McAdoo has transmitted 10 Secre-
try Herbert the report Of Lieut. Nblack
on the operations Of the naval militia dur
ing the past year. In indOrsing the report
Mr. McAdoo says the organization is grow
ing rapidly IN favor, and the interest OK
the public in them IS steadily increasing.
THIS organization. founded on patriotic
zeal. is entitled to every encourage ment
al the hands Of the government Speak
ing OF the results Of his own inspection or
the various hattalions last summer, he
says that above all things they need ma
tional encouragement and sufficient bod;s
70 perfect themselves in drill
Lieut. Nlblacks report shows that New
Jersey and Georgia were the only new
states to make returns and share in the
allotment Of funds during the year Under
the present system Of allotments an undue
share az the money goes 10 the Older or
RaniZations. which Lieut. Nihlack sug
gssts, might he corrected by dividing only
one-half Of the total appropriation among
tho militia PRO rata. and then using the
remaining half % aid the new organiza-
tions and those who have not vet receive
ed the loan If a ship or boat and arms.
He shows that the supply Of ships for mill
tary purposes is now exhausted, and touch
ing the experience Of the California militia
on their last cruise aboard the government
vessels. he says that such short cruises
are Of no real benefit n me militia Be
cause Of the hot debiitating weather Of the
Southern summers. he suggests that The
time Of cruises Of the North Carolina.
South Carolina and Georgia militia should
he changed 10 spring or fall.
In the line Of Improvement Of the militia
as whole Lieut.. N.hisck has many inn
portant recommendations tn make He
says there has been considerable d.nuni-
tom la the enthusiasm IN the Older orEani
cations due largely 30 uncertainty as 90
the real purposes and aims Of the naval
militia as IS Indicated hy the number u
resirna lions. Unless e is desired shat .he
movement should drfft on ina an uncertain
and hestatng way, w.th possible ultima .
failure. a vigorous state aDf national ini-
ttativc should be al once taken The state
l7wS should be made uniform. and then
the navy department should b" empower
"a 20 hriag three or folr state organize t.7rs
,os thar IN camp. which. vtth a o0-arssa-
ting squadron q ships. N9uld result in
increased efficiency and give de6u.eness
OF purpose. The 80propr alton Tor thr nae
vgt wsEt8 should ha increased from &e5.ao9
90 'aa@ annually As b-at work IS n
the utu est Important tae b8ttal -1s
should hc provided with good navy cutters
v'th al equipments necessary. and % 3r-
sure rr.trri'N i1 methods signaling ont
Ht< shouffh ep reN#fs3 The oufrts 90 the
various divisions Should h- Standardized.
and 20 th's end I.Het Ns.aek ia5.atas
Jus: Nhat su.3H,- out1l should ear-
ia4 q naval reserve Of officers. Seaale7 ami
snsns under naval auspices Pa to.z ,ha .,-
officers - the rafy ana former enlisted
men r1xat u3ti.r. statn s.s EaEf served s4
sp- ret art s.ats~ir- men gene RAILS. can.
make up the ppr~cau-t