The morning times., 1896-08-08
ITS DUAL ALLEGIANCE.

at is from this dual character that the
naval militia movement has suffered, on
the one hand, from the mistaken idea of
their becoming national reserve force
OF officers and men for the navy, and conse-
qucnuy, on the other hand from lack OF
promise OF definite usefulness TO the State
maintaining them.
Naturally, ( il is not the business Of
State to provide such a reserve, it is dis
tiuctly the duty OF the general government.
Fortunately, the organ nization. of Il true
naval reserve under national auspices can
not affect unfavorably the growth and
development of the naval militia. AS
state naval force the naval militia hts
a very wide field TO cover, and nothing is
more urgently needed than Il limitation of
the expectations which both the StLte
and general government seem to have
concerning the naval militia.
Their State inspectors are, as a rule,
entirely inexperienced in nautical matters,
and on the mcn-of- war, on board of which
they occasionally serve, each board of
officers applies its own standard to them
estimating their efficiency.
STATE COMES FIRST.
while the state and the government
both have right to expect one dollars
worth OF efficiency for every dollar spent
in their maintenance, the first duty of the
naval militia is really TO the STATE. Tn
doubtedly, in time of war, a large per-
ccntagc OF the naval militia win in
dividually volunteer for service in The Navy,
taking such positions as their merits alone
will give them.
N.,,-, l<.l Ill -
the idea that naval militia officers will
want to go into service in time of war with
the rank they now hold in the naval
militia. This view is alike fatal to both
organizations as affecting their mutual
relations. As a matter Of fact, the rank
given in the naval militia is State affair,
and in no way concerns the Navy. man
may be most excellent naval militia Com
mander without necessarily being fit to
Command man of war. In time Of war
the demand for officers and men will be
such that the actual supply from all
sources will be so entirely inadequate that
no officer holding a commission in tie
Navy need fear that his particular talents
will be discounted in favor Of naval militia
officers of less experience.
"A necessary step in this question will
be furnished with the enactment Of laws
establishing true reserve of officers and
men for the Navy.
GAVE 1T AN IMPETUS.
"The joint camp at Gardeners Island
has given the naval militia organizations
of the three States participating a clear
and intelligent idea of what may be ac-
complisbed IN the way of reconnaissance
work in this immediate region. The tours
of duty this year of the naval militia have,
in general, been more fruitful than those
of previous years, because the purpose OF
the naval militia is becoming more clearly
understood.
The State authorities in most States
show every desire and intention of sane
uoning and developing the reconnaissance
work of the naval militia, and it will soon
become a part OF their State duties, us
distinguished now from being the result
OF voluntary and individual action On the
part of enthusiastic and jealous members.
The results promise to give purpose - the
naval militia movement, and incidentally to
give the Department a vast fund of military
Information of the utmost value in fornu-
lating schemes of defense"