The morning times., 1897-01-05
APPROVED NAVAL M|[|Iis
Commissioners Reported in Favor
Of Bill for Organization.
WILL HAVE SALUTARY EFFECT
Report Is Il Memorial
of Citizens Celebrating the Plan.
secretary of the Navy Commends
the Action in States Establish
ing Reserve-His Report.

IH6 Acl1Ou HI ctatCS As'tAcAAS'AA
ing Reserve-His Report.
The Commissioners yesterday transmitted
to the chairmen, with their approval, re-
spectively, of the House and Senate Dis
trict Committees, the draft for bill
which has been introduced in each body,
ito provide for organizing naval reserve
battalion in the District"
The comment of the Commissioners upon
the measure, is that while they are not
prepared to discuss the details or the
measure, from what they have been able
to learn of it's general purpose, they are
satisfied that the creation OF such an or
ganization w ould have a saiutary effect.
Accompanying the report OF the Commits
soners is a copy OF memorial adopted
at meeting OF citizens, held in this
city, November 19, 1896, which was pre-
sided over by Mr.. Robert P. Hanes. The
paper elaborates the design, and gives
details.
AS an Auxiliary Force.
The object of a naval militia, it is stated.
is to create body yofseataring men, educate
develop a powerful auxiliary to the naval
establishment in time of war, and
valuable arm of the National Guard, in
cases of mob or insurrection. Such an
organization OF citizen sailors would form
part of the National Guard and bear the
same relation to the Navy, as the land
militia does to the Army.
The Importance OF such an organization
Senator Whitthorne introduced Senate bill
1920, February II, Ito create Naval
reserve of auxiliary cruisers, officers
and men from the mercantile marine OF
the United StatcS'' and while this meas
ure did not become law, the Navy De-
partment, in the same year, prepared
plan OF organization for a naval militia.
On January 4. 1888, Mr.. Whitthorne in
troduced II. R. ILL 1S47, which, on June
20, was replaced by II. r. bill 1O622, ITO
provide for the enrolment of Naval
militia and the organization OF Naval
forceS.'
1t made it lawful in States and Terri
tories bordering on the sea and lakes, or
nayigable rivers, 10 enroll and designate
as naval militia all seafaring men of
whatever calling or occupation, and all
men engaged in the navigation OF the
rivers, lakes and other waters, and all
ex-officers and former enlisted men of the
Navy. This measure did not become Il
law, but was the basis of State action in
several States.
Where 1t Is In Operation.
1.-The pioneer measure the memorial
recites, was an act or the legislature OF
F,A HI 49,
naval battalion, to be attached to the vol
unteer militia in pursuance OF which an
organization was perfected March IS, 1880.
Fourteen states now have such Organiza-
tions, with an aggregate of nearly three
thousand men enrolled.
The Secretary Of the Navy, in his last
annual report, commends the movement,
and said the department. continues to
watch with interest the growth and devel-
opment of the naval militia in those States
which, by the acts of their legislatures
recognized the necessity of the existence OF
this branch of citizen soldiery. He said
the department has endeavored by all
means in ITS power to encorage and develop
these bodies. whose possibilities as pow
erful auXiIaries in case OF need it fully
recognized"
1t is the purpose of the Navy Department,
the Secretary said, to communicate to
the naval militia, as soon as possible, their
portion OF the plan Of general mobilization
and defense which relates to the several
States to which they belong, what vessels
are to be used, what positions not en-
braced in the military defenses must be
mined and protected by batteries, what
signal stations must be maintained, and,
in general what must be done to utilize all
possible resources for the local defense.
Work of Years.
This, the Secretary adds, will be the
work of years, but it is believed by intel
ligent cooperation thoroughly digested
plan of mobilization and subsequent opera
tions may be gradually perfected, which
will be of inestimable value to the country.
Those who are advocating the District
movement say the practicabllity OF
such an organization in the District Of
Columbia is evident, when attention is
directed to the facilities at hand. The
Potomac River and Chesapeake Bay pre-
sent ample sea room for drill and ma
neuvering, while the navy yard and its
gun equipment offer an exceptional op-
portunity for instruction in modern heavy
ordnance. The District likewise presents
good field from which to select the
personnel Of such an organization.
A large number of eX-Naval officers are
found in the government departments,
while in the navy yard and on the water
front can be found hundreds of men ready
to join such a movement, who would
readily develop into an effective naval
force