The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-05-09

come expert In the subject, but within the limit Of
that state there IL no need for this service, which y
30 necessary elsewhere. for the army plans provide
for mining the channels OF Narragansott Bav."
Another illustration Of the same need of
going beyond State limits is found In the
fact that the vessels needed for defence
may not always be at 1.-THE ports Of hail "
when wanted. Thus, certain steam
yachts would be wanted, which In summer
may be in New London and In winter laid
up at Hoboken." Hence in the former case
the Connecticut and In the latter the New
York or New Jersey militia would take
them to their ports of fitting.
Coming to the cooperation Of the Naval
War College with the State forces. which
Mr.. MoADoo's orders had contemplated,
Capt. TAYLOR suggests that an officer of the
college could be detailed to aid the State
Inspector in organizing the Signal Service
and establishing its stations, In selecting
sites for masked batteries. In organizing
naval brigades, and in examining those
who may I've thought suitable to officer or
man the small craft:
ITO illustrate by an example: The inspecting onicer
or his assistant would visit the Massachusetts, militia
and request that q squad Of twenty.four men and an
on1cer be detailed to accompany him to inspect the
signal stations of the INST section dwenty.four in
number) from Eastport TO the Piscataqua. They
would visit the localities. select the actual sites Of the
signal and lookout stations, ascertain the needs OF
each one. the distance to the nearest telegraph sta.
ton. tho character OF the roads between the lookout
and telegraph ~stations. the resources Of the different
localities for providing food and lodging. and the
local sources from which men could be obtained to
I'LL up the personnel of the stations.
"He would later take another squad OF twenty. I'VE
men and an oficer to perform the same duty a. far as
Nantucket Island. this being the second section. The
same would be performed for the Rhode Island
militia, with six men for six stations on Martha's
Vineyard and the Rhode Island shore"
AS a result there would be a provision
for manning these stations in time Of war,
while the Navy Department., on its part,
would select the vessels to be used and make
out lists of the supplies to be put aboard at
the port of fitting out. These lists being
sent to the naval militia, the latter would
keep track of the vessels, in time Of peace,
and report on them. Naval officers would
instruct the officers and men that are to be
assigned to these vessels.
In like manner, and with much detail,
Capt. TAYLOR explains the proposed coop-
Grafton Of the navy and the State forces in
other particulars. For example, the Navy
Department would select the sites of bat
teries required and the naval militia con-
struct the works and mount and man the
guns. In short, a complete programme of
service in peace and war is outlined for the
State forces in Capt. TAYLoR's paper, and
it throws a clear light on the real value of
these forces in coast defence. Both to the
War College and the country they could
render special services in time of peace by
"Reminiscences, by the construction of
war charts, and by a%scertaining and keep
ing the run of the available seafaring per.
sonnet of their districts.
Mr.. MoADoo in his predatory remarks
makes this additional suggestion:
IA my last Official act lot me again protest against
the national folly OF not having on hand for both
army and navy, and militia on land and sea, q proper
supply Of reserve rifles OF uniform pattern and
modern make. The United States should have in
store at least one million such rifles and ammunition
in quantity to meet any demand. In case OF war to.
day / do not know where the rides to arm the militia
and volunteers would be gotten. The number on
hand would be entirely Inadequate. and there Is a
limit to their being manufactured with rapidity."
1t becomes evident that the true posi-.
bilities of the State naval forces are now
we'll ascertained, and that they are largely
connected with what Is, after all, perhaps
the primary function Of those forces, that
of coast defence.