The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-12-29


New York. the portsmouth" and Ajax
10 New Jersey. Che "st Louis 10 Penn
s,lvauia. the 'Ualo" 10 Maryland the
Nantucket 20 North Carolina.
Owing 70 the large sum Of money es-
finatcd as required TO make the 'Swa-
tara" safe and hahitabie 10 was de-
ci1cd not 10 lend that vessel TO Caiifor-
mia The prospective supply or 3nser-
viceahie vessels ie SO limited that % viii
he some years before ~ will Doe possible
10 furnish even an average Of one shin
TO each soaboard state. AT present there
are no ships available without The ex-
ncudiffrc of eo much money 20 make
Thorn even safe and hahitahle. that the
proronf supply may be said to be ex-
hauated
FEW OPPORTUNITIES FOR CRUISES.
OPPORTUNITIES for "a short cruise on
a man-of-war were AFFORDED very few or
the Naval Militia organizations during
the past summer. owing to the fact mat
the exicencios of the service required
tha presence 0f most OF the ships OF The
Nortb Atlantic squadron. either in for
eign waters or where they were not avail
ahlo for such duty. Most Of the organi-
zntious went into camp. ana were either
instructed for few days on board
shin in attendance or else improved the
opportunity to familiarze themselves
with boat work.
.Tbroe divisions of the Naval Militia
OF California were given short cruise
ON the Olympia from June ~ 20 rs. The
milifiamea nnng vacancies Boo the crew
and participating Boo the regular routine
of "a aaa-g0ino Wau-ol-war The report
OF the board ~ officers. however. does
NOT errm To- show that such short cruises
are of real benefit to tho Naval Militia.
"rhe Maryland Naval Militia had %
weeks tour on the Dale carly in July.
tho Shin being t0wel go colchester. M'.
.'Tho First Natai Battalion of New
York carried ont scheme Of recon-
Nuisance and distant service boat work
along the north shore of Long Island.
making four preliminary cruises from
Triaav 90 Monday. OF certain weeks. bee
ginning june 90 The fourth expedition.
ON July 80 reached as Ear as shelter Is
land. where o. camp SITE was selected.
The annual tour began ON July 10Th, ana
embraced camping out expedition on
the site selected. with a general recon-
rafeeanco of Great and Little Pcconic
bavs and their approaches. The torpo-
do boat "Cusninr.' was in attendance.
Tho "lfonfroufrr." although expected,
was unable t0 participate. However the
rrorrammo as if was carried ont. may
,orr wei serve as "a model in many rec
spocis for al of the organizations
During tho period from July -oin TO
Goth. tho Second Separate Naval Division
of Rochester. N w. made "a most suc-
cesefi1 boat rre0nuaissauce OF Che east
ern end OF Larn Ontario. and the head
waters Of the ST. Lawrence river.
NEED A MODERN SHIP
0rrom July 18TH io 21h. inclusive. the
Naval Militia of The State of Michigan
were quaitered at Fort MackinaW ana
We're incidentally exercised ahoat on
board the T.. S. $. Michigan. which was
I'm attendance. Tine old-fashioned aima-
ment of This vessel ana the most piomls-
ing growth of the naval militia move
ment along the Great Lakes, points 10
the necessity for either giving the Michi-
gan a modern battery on replacing hcr by
modern ship
.The Naval Militia organization or
North Carolina. South Carolina. ana
Georeia. were exercised and instructed
ON board the monitor 'Amphltritc, dur
ing the period from July pa 10 August
10Th. The report of the board OF oll-
GERS would seem 90 Justify change ih
tho time of the annual tour 10 The spring
or Gam. as dur.ns tne time selected, lnif
wear. The hot weather. combined with lht
undue heat of the ship. DID much 10 les
sen the interest of every one in the Woik
"Tho Na.al Militia organization ol
PENNSYLVANIA and Connecticut went into
camp from August 18th lo -iih, the loiih-
up mi Augustine Park on the Delaware
river and the latter 40 the state camp
at Naudc Com. THE uncertainty OF me
Department as TO ITS ability 10 sehn
ships for the tour of dui. and Che chang
ing of dates necessary i.i DOB noth offan-
hauons 90 "a low p. taee in attend
ancc. which should he taken as ah
index of what may he etnected " "a ccln-
ite date is fixed some time ahead.
"Tho Illinois. New Jersey, and Rhode
Island ORGANIZATIONS dll NOT have tour
of duty. largely due to local reasons.
HOW TO RAISE THE STANDARD
"To raise tho Naval Militia into "a Dig
ninol and reliable arm Of One national
defence. sound policy would seem 20 dice
tato the following Initiative.
"l Tle laws and regulations or ah
the States should be made more or Jess
uniform bon character as relates lo inc
Nayal Militia.
"Tne levs of such States ae require
mnual tours of duty of thc Naval Mi-
luu 90 Dee performed in lnc limits OF
the state. should Doe modified SO that the
Department may hc able hy bringing
three or four organizations into camp at
ciNu region. t0 provide ships during
definite period TO cooperate with three
or four main camps in succession D ni5
would enable ine department to 'iii'
definite date Tor each tour of dnlt' pro
vide ships ana arrai sc sfHl'll"' l'
scheme of instructions. i'r.nil 'n' il
purpose. both state and National la
now necessary t0 prevent Che great Nnii-
ancc fiom year fo year in tho programme
oi ule '"'i7' DIT l' ntN'F'' '..'.
iil hi Togo oI 'hit' oI ioul
L..Nl1a ll' ''7' WIN lu'l!" 20" oi s.''ta i''