New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-04-17
NAVAL MILITIA PLANS.
PROGRAMME FOR THE SUMMER EvoLU-
TIoNs MARKED OUT.

A SERIES OF CONFINED ENcAMPMENTs PROPOSED
THE DETAILS To BE COMPLETED BY
ASSISTANT SECRETARY ROOSEVELT.
fRY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBuNEl
Washington. April l6-The Navy Department Is
preparing a summer programme for the Naval
Militia II is the custom for this work to be per-
formed by the Assistant Secretary OF Inc Navy
and Mr. McAdoo has already drawn up preliminary
plans for the coming evolutions of the sea force OF
the several States. As Mr.. Roosevelt Will succeed
Mr.. McAdoo Monday. the new Assistant Score
tary will under the direction OF Secretary Long
complete the details OF the programme. The plans
for the coming season are somewhat more ambl-
uous than those previously carried out. For one
thing it is proposed 10 have a series of combined
encampmens. The proposition is that the Naval
Militia Of two three or four States shall concen-
trate at given point. go into camp and receive
instruction in shore and sea duty. At times to be
decided upon vessels of the Navy are TO visit the
encampments and take the Naval Militia TO sea
Last year the Naval Militia OF Rhode Island
Connecticut and part OF the New-York battalion
encamped for a week on GARDENERS Island. The
Cincinnati, the Montgomery. the Dolphin and the
tug Nina present and the officers and men
went through drills board The encampment
was an important one. both from the point OF View
OF National defence. as involving strategic consd-
erations OF that section, and tending TO unity
the drills and practice OF the various State organi-
date supervision OF Assistant Secretary McAdoo
who. in official report to the Secretary OF the
Navy. has said
The Joint encampment at GARDENERS Island; ne
hrst attempt at the combination OF the NaHaI MI
MIA ORGANIZATIONS from several states TOT tne pui-
poses OF drill and instruction. had its initiative in
ton among the commands and AFFORD opportunity
for mutual comparison ana competition, ana al the
work on board vessels of war than would be posi-
bic should the time these vessels could be spared
States participating. The success OF the encamp-
ment was sufficient 10 confirm the Department In
its opinion that IL would be good policy on us pat
TO favor similar action in the future Should It be
or rot group on % date ceny
ment would be better able TO provide officers and
ships for their instruction.
The Navy Department has sent letters TO the
Governors OF all States having an organized naval
militia the subject OF combined encampments
The letters set forth the success OF the encamp-
ment at GARDENERS Island last summer, and ask
II the Department can count upon the concentra-
ton Of the forces OF several States al certain times
Tho following combinations arr proposed: The
forces Of New-York Rhode Island, Connecticut
and Massachusetts,; OF New-Jersey Pennsylvania
and Maryland OF North Carolina, South Carolina
and Georgia. Of Ohio. Illinois and Michigan. 1t is
contemplated that the militia Of Louisiana snail
have a separate encampment. The same is thought
OF in the case Of the force Of California. Replies
partment In a few days. 1t is believed that In
most Instances these will be favorable to the pro-
posed scheme II is feared that two or three States
will not adopt the suggestion Of tho Navy Depart
ment. II is said at the Department that some op-
position 10 the idea has been shown by the New.
York battalion. The programme 70 be carried OUT
70 OF states which approve OF combined en-
campments will, in brief. be this:
on shore regular military duties Will Do per-
formed such as are carried on daily at an Army
post These will afford the naval militiamen IN,
structon in infantry drills, artillery drills tactlca
formations ceremonies. etc. Being near the sea,
they would also have occasion for practlce IN
naval drills such as boat exercises. sgnallng etc
a. da tes 10 be fixed vessels OF the North Atlantic
SQUADRON on the Atlantic coast the Michigan on
the great lakes. and ships OF the PACING squadron
on the California coast would visit the encanip-
ments and take the troops 10 sea ,
This is only brief outline OF what Is propose.
FOR the Naval Militia for the summer Lieutenant
Tohn Cibbon who has recently been put in charge
81 this branch OF the Navy Department VIII IN a
short time draw UP detailed plan for the en-
campments and submit II to Assistant secretary
Roosevelt The Naval Militia Is increasing IN
strength. and much interest ~ expec,ea 70 pe
shown in this summers exercises Secretary Long
sttaches Importance TO the development OF this
branch Of tho volunteers. and he VIII 90 III lie
m its efficiency.