The San Francisco call., 1897-11-20

men of the six divisions of the battalion
in the art and tactics of naval warfare.
The communication from the Secretary of
the Navy detailing him for that service
asked him to use bis hest endeavors to i'm
prove as much as possible the present
high standard and efficiency of the citizen
sailors.
Lieutenant Hughes will still remain in
charge OF the Hydrog aphic Office and
the duty assigned to him ip connection
with the naval militia will be an addition
to his regular duties as photographer at
this port AS soon as this lieutenant
received his instructions from the Secre-
tarv Of the Navy he reported TO Adjutant-
General Barrett, who has immediate
charge OF that branch of the State Militia
for duty.
Il am delighted to be attached to the
naval militia OF California, said Lieuten-
antsHughes yesterday. II have taken an
interest in the battalion ever since | was
sent TO this port to take charge of the Hy-
geographic Office. and it has given me
much pleasure to watch the progress
made by the different divisions and the
enthusiasm they display in their drills.
The Navy Department takes great in
terest in the naval militia of the countr y,
been 10 encourage the citizen sailors of
the nation and use every means in its
power to bring the different battalions 10
| a high state of efficiency. Officers of the
navy who have been more or less in con-
tact with the naval militia OF California
speak very highly OF the personnel of the
officers and men, and they always refer to
he battalion in the most com D limentary
terms. The six California divis ions are
looked upon by the Navy Department as
the most efficient in the Union, and | will
do my best as long as am able to assist
Captain Turner the commander of the
battalion, and the officer associated with
him, to keep the California divisions in
the front rank.
"Tha naval end of the militia of the
United States is in my opinion the most
important OF Americas defense system.
Should the United States ever have
war on its hands it would be with some
foreign nation, and then the navy would
play The most I'm portant part. It's, be-
li've, of the utmost importance that there
should always be an effective and cap
able reserve force TO draw upon to man
the vessels of the navy, and it would
be Imperative that the men called upon
should march aboard the vessel and be at
once able to maneuver the ship. With
the modern fgh htiDg-ship it taxes month,
20 make a man-of-warsman, VIII lie ordi-
nary recruits can be instructed for service
in the land in a few days and be come
good and effective soldiers. Too m uch at
tention cannot be given to the naval
militia of he different States, and am
much pleased to assume the additional
duties assigned to me by the Navy De-
partment."
Adjutant-General Barrett, when he was
notified of the action of the Navy De-
partment in detailing Lieutenant Hughes
10 inspect and instruct the different divi-
sions Of the naval militia, said it was
something he and his brother officers of
the State militia had been hoping for for
a long time.
~ am pleased that Lieutenant Hughes
has been se.ected to assist u.s. he said,
because a better officer could not have
been chosen. He has gained a mcst ex-
celent record in the Navy Department
and he is an enthusiast in the work OF the
naval militia. With his assistance and
with the Marion at our disposal, I am
satisfied that within short time the citi-
zen-sailors of this State will be in posi-
ton to step on board any of the ships oil
the White Navy and take her into action
with as much skill and as much effective
ness as any OF the crews that now man
then -