The morning times., 1896-07-29
VALUE OF NAVAL MILITIA
Capt. Bradford Reports on the
New York Reserves.
MIR. M'ADoo's COMMENTS
More Valuable for Local Work Than
as a Complement for ships of War.
Assistant Secretary Relieves That
All the Maneuvers Should Occur
at the Same Time.

SHnt, ROysil b. tbV
cruiser Montgomery, has submitted his
report to the Navy Department upon the
duty tour of the New York naval militia.
He says the professional knowledge of the
force was very creditable. and quite as
far advanced as can be expected, though
not by any means complete.
Their boats were fairly well handled, and
the signalling was well done On shore the
battalion presented an excellent appear
ance. At gun drill they were quick TO
learn new points and retentive of such
information as they had gained in previous
service with the Navy. Speaking generally
they showed a Jealous spirit, and very
rreditable knowledge in which they have
bad opportunities for drill and instruction.
The uniform in which the officers and
men appeared seemed serviceablc and fit
hing Laxity was observed in the uniformity
Of headgear
FIELD OF USEFULNESS.
The probable field of usefulness in time
Of war would be local in such work as
The manning of harbor defense vessels
and torpedo boats, mining operations aud
perhaps manning coast batteries. In all
Juch work they cOull retain to consider
ible degree their own organization and
,erve with their own officers even though
IEder the direction OF regular Officers,
md moreover. their local knowledge would
De of great service.
We do not believe that good results would
insue from any attempt TO fill out the
complement of naval vessels from the
ranks of tire militia by splitting up their
nwn organization beyond the mere gaining
Of recruits who have had some previous
military and naval training, Should, how
ever, it be deemed necessary to draft the
mitiamcn into the regular service, We
consider it would be the best policy 10
send units of not less than division
rather than individuals. Their avail
ability would also be greater in the
vicinity Of their homes.
ALL AT ONE TIME.
The report is signed by Lieuts. Lyman
and Knapp. and Ensign Jewell, Of the
Montgomery.
The criticisms and recommendations re-
garding the Hoboken division of the New
Jersey militia are substantially the same
as these upon the New York force.
The experiment of having the annual
practice of all the nava militia battalions
occur simultaneously in one week, under
the auspices of naval officers and as FAR
as possible accompanied by regular naval
vessels, has proved great success this
year, according to Asssta Secretary Nc
Adoo, who has charge of this arm of the
service, and who has now completed his
annual inspection of the State reserves.
The naval militia idea, in his opinion,
has taken strong hold in all directions
and will grow stronger every year until
the force will constitute very important
means of national defense.
SHIP FOR EACH PORT.
Mr.. McA doc has found the five monitors
now at League Island Navy Yard excel
leDtly adapted for naval militia purposes.
and he proposes to distribute these among
the coast battalions, so that with those
already in similar service the harbOrs of
Portland, Boston, Newport, New London,
New York. Philadelphia, Baltimore, Nor
folk, Wilmington, N. c., Charleston, Bruins
wick and New Orleans, which are consid-
cred most important strategic points, will
each be provided with high type Of de-
fense vessel. Similar provision is pro-
1ccted In the case of the Pacific ports by
utilizing the monitors now at the Mare
Island Navy Yard
USE OF GARDENERS ISLAND.
Mr.. McAdoo says the naval militia in
general and the country is indebted to
the generosity of the owner of Gardeners
Island, L. l., for allowing the annual
interstate encampment to be held on his
property. This island, which is admirably
adapted for the purpose and which is held
by many military writers at home and
abroad to be the key to New York. has
been owned by the Gardiner family since
1888. and upon application it was readily
granted as the rendezvous Of the forces
and the warships assigned to militia duty.
Mr.. Mead also especially commends
the Chicago battalion, which has tri-
imphed over great obstacles and the Ho-
Dokcn contingent which now mans one OF
the most famous sailing ships of the old
navy.