The San Francisco call., 1898-04-06

SACRAMENTO, April 0.-California's contribution to the strength of the na- tion's forces on land and sea is ready In forty-eight hours two war vessels could be officered and manned from the States naval militia, and in the same length of time forty-nine companies ot infantry, four companies of cavalry and three from the signal corps-in all 5000 men-could be on the way to the field of battle. Adjutant-General Barrett, in speaking of the efficiency and con- dition of the naval militia and National Guard of California, said to-day to The Call correspondent:
 No State in the Union Is better pre- pared to meet a call from the Presi- dent for arms and men than is Cali fornia. In anticipation of the war with Spain it was directed by the Cover nor yesterday to send the following message to the War Department at Washington:
 To the Secretary of the Navy, Wash ington,. D. C.: l am directed by the Coy, ernor to inform you that California will furnish the necessary number of compe- tent officers and men from her naval mi litia to man the MonadnoCk or Monterey complete, should occasion arise, and more if needed.
 A. w. BARRETT, Adjutant General.
 Immediately following the sending of the message and before the answer came We received from the department this letter:
 Department of the Navy.
 Washington, D. C., March 3l, 1898: To Governor James H. Budd-Sir: The department requests that you will imme- diately proceed to put the naval militia of your State in a thorough condition to meet any sudden call for their services by the President of the United States. The divisions should be recruited to their full strength and thoroughly drilled. care full inspection should be made of all the vessels in ports of your State that can be utilized for a mosquito fleet, in accord ance with the instructions and blanks
 T. ROOSEVELT,
 Assistant Secretary of the Navy Tn answer I forwarded this reply:
 SACRAMENTO, April 5, 1S9S Sir: Replying to your letter of March 31, 1898, to the Governor, requesting that the naval militia of this State be put in a proper condition for a sudden call into active service by the President of the United States. 1 will state that this com munication has been anticipated for some time by this office, and steps have been already taken to place the naval militia of this State on thoroughly efficient and competent basis. 1 have the honor to report to you that California stands ready. and is willing. to furnish the United States Government with six well officered and well drilled divisions of naval militia, also an engineer division which is thoroughly competent to man the United States coast defense vessels Monterey or Monadnock, or any other vessel which they may be assigned to. l am now having the reports made as to what vessels can be had that could be utilized for mosquito fleet, as in ac cordance with your communication of re- cent date. 1 will soon be able to give you more definite information regarding this matter. Trusting that this communica- tion may be satisfactory to your depart ment, 1 am sincerely yours,
 A. w. BARRETT, Adjutant-General. Hon. Theodore Roosevelt, Assistant
 Secretary of the Navy, Washington, To-day I received another dispatch from the Assistant Secretary of the Navy as follows:
 WASHINGTON, April 5. To the Adjutant-General of the State of California: Convey to the Governor this departments thanks for the infor- nation as to the strength of the naval militia T. ROOSEVELT.
 Assistant Secretary of the Navy. been made for supplies to the National Guard in the event of war the adju- tant-general replied:
 we have been in communication with different merchants throughout the State, and at 8 moments notice could supply our men with ten days rations."
 Tn what condition are the arms?' was asked.
 For the most part good" he replied. we have now before Congress a reso- lution which will enable us to make an exchange of our arms. and as soon as that resolution passes we will be splen- didly equipped in that respect"
 How about the clothing of the sol diers?"
 New uniforms for the entire guard have been ordered and are ready"
 What returns, if any, have been made from the recent inspections?" Those 1 have received have been verbal, and they show the guard to be in splendid condition in every par ticular."
 Referring again to the naval militia the general continued:
 ''The naval militia of California has been used as an example to other States by the officers of the United States navy, who have been sent out here to make inspections Lieutenant w. s. Hughes, the last one here. and who recently reported to Washington for duty, told me just before he left that he would not hesitate to recom- mend our State naval officers and men to the task of managing any man-of- war that might be given them. I feel equally confident myself, and in the
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