The San Francisco call., 1896-11-21
MARINES AT THE GUNS.
Hereafter the Corps Will Have In
creased Duties Aboard Ship.

Hereafter the Corps Will Have In.
creased Duties Aboard ship.
One of the most noteworthy features in
the naval regulations, as recently revised,
is a paragraph which directs the COM
manding officers of vessels 10 assign ma
rines as part of the regular forces Tor
working the batteries.
1t is understood that this paragraph was
inserted in accordance with Secretary
Herbert's purpose to make this hereafter
the established policy of our navy, and of
his conclusion that the trial lie has made
OF it for some months past has proved sat-
isfactorv.
Taken in connection with the increase
of the marine corps by 500 enlisted men
at the last session of Congress, to say
nothing OF the bills pending for the reor-
ganiZation of the corps, II is clear that,
under the present administration, the
tendency will be to enlarge, rather than
restrict, the duties of this portion of the
ships company.
The contest on this question has been
prolonged, and there is no reason to sup
pose that it is yet entirely over, since
another Secretary might take a different
view from Mr.. Herbert's. But the in
crease of the corps as a result of the
recent legislation shows a belief on the
part of that body in its usefulness aboard
ship. This fact makes it highly probable
that the marine corps is destined to retain
its importance az part OF the naval or
ganiZation.
The arguments of those who are for
Withdrawing the marines altogether from
ships and assigning them to shore duty
only are that the sailors will be improved
in discipline and morale if they furnish
their own guard, and that with the re-
striction upon the space allowed for quar-
ters in ships, and in the mum Der of men
that can be carried, every enlisted man
ought TO be capable of performing all sorts
of duty. The marine, it is urged, is only
sentry, and in such laborious duty as that
of coaling ship sometimes takes part in he
hard work, while even privates of the ma
rine corps are excused from 1t Tor the
purpose OF standing guard over the blue
Jackets. 1t is further held that not only
would the available force for ali sorts of
duty be increased by substituting sailors
for marines, out the sailors would have
more self-respect and the petty officers
would have share In military and ship
discipline that properly belongs to them.
This view, In substance, was taken several
years ago by naval board on the revision
of drill ana tactics, OF which Com odore
Greer was the senior member, the view of
that board being that the marines should
be entirely withdrawn from the ships and
placed on shore dutv.
However, the officers of the marine
corps, supported strongly by portion of
the officers of the navy, suggested differ
ent solution OF the problem. Pointing
out that, from the foundation of the nayy
marines have played a most honorable
and useful part, that their organization
existed even through the Revolution
ary War. and that its services
have been praised by some of the
greatest OF American sailors, they
urged that the true course is to increase
the usefulness of marines aboard ship.
About two years ago Secretary Herbert.
in acting upon petition OF the petty
officers and men of one vessel, praying
that the marines should be withdrawn
ssued circular saying that he was CON
vinced Of the usefulness of that CORDS
both ashore and afioat and of the pro-
priety of contipuing it in service on ship
board"
In his last report the Secretary con-
tinued his views in detail. He urged tina
the modern steam vessel habitually re-
mains longer In port than the old sailing
vessel. and hence exercises its crew No ore
in landing parties and infantry drills.
Such drills and exercises with the ship s
the modern than the old tar, and
'it is precisely in infantry and gun
drills that the marine is or NAV
be an expert" Accordingly he conside red
that marines were more properly part of
the ships crew now than OF old, and that
marines ought to man portion of the
guns as we'll as handle small arms. and
that their officers should, Subject TO the
orders of the captain, command gun crews
and even gun divisions" He thought
| that there would be a healthy spirit of
emulation between the sailors and the
marines.
Accordingly, he decided to put sixty
marines with two of their officers on the
Indiana. and other such forces on the
other first-class battle-ships. 1t has been
stated that one report made by the exec
utive officer of the Indiana spoke of the
use OF the marines as "a source of confu-
sion and embarrassment" But that the
Navy Department did not regard the ex-
pertinent as unsatisfactory is shown by
the fact that it makes the assignment OF
marines to the working of guns a part oi
the regulations as revised.