The evening times., 1898-06-10

ready, as it always has been. to answer every
summons and obey all orders in defense OF the
country -
The resolution was adopted amid cheers
and then the meeting broke up. Capt.
Greene said the meeting was the larg-
est held by the organization in many
years. - .A
Col. Stillwell. who Is e.ghty-eight years
old and the oldest member of the organi-
zation. came from South Brooklyn to at
tend the meeting. and said few words
in defense of the Seventh Regiment.
Complaint Of Naval MiHtIamen.
New York. June 10.-Dinerences be-
tween officers of the naval militia and
those Of the Regular Army who are in
charge of the inner line Of coast defense
have eliminated in the departure cf Capt.
Jacob w. Miller to Washington to lay
the grievances of the naval militia before
the Secretary of the Navy. and. II need
be, before the President himself
Rear Admiral Erben. who is in COM
mand of the coast patrol fleet. is accused
of hardness in availing himself of the
services of the reserves and of failure to
appreciate their capabilities.
The naval militia Is largely made up of
men residing In cities along the sea and
lake coasts. who have followed water
sports as a pastime- II includes mem
bers of yacht clubs and rowing associa-
tions. men who have been in university
crews. and a sprinkIing of professional
boatmen.
Among the officers are graduates of
Annapolis. who have retired to private life
and who have drilled and instructed the
men. Naval militiamen have manned the
monitors and auxiliary cruisers and won
distinction on board the Yankee at the
recent bombardment at Santiago de Cuba.
The Naval Reserves. however. are not all
men of Drawn and sinew. and for this
reason they are said TO occupy a poor
position In the eyes of the officers of the
Navy. - .sI
According to the plans of the organiz-
ers of the reserves. its members were to
be utilised for the inner line of coast de-
fense In time of war, and law has been
enacted providing for their enlistment
for one year for such service. This pur-
pose, they now declare. is being ignored.
Before Rear Admiral Erben was placed
in charge of the coast guard feet the
monitors Nahant and Jason and the aux
Hilary cruisers Yankee, Dixie, Yosemite.
Prairie and Resolute were manned by
the militia, under naval officers. When
submarine mines were placed in this har-
Dor eight tugs. manned and officered by
the naval militia, and chartered by the
State, did patrol duty for ten days.
The charters of the tugs having ex-
pired they were withdrawn: but the
yachts purchased by the Government for
patrol boats not being ready. Capt. Miller
waited upon Rear Admiral Erben, who
had been placed in charge. and, on be-
half of Gov. Black. rendered the services
of the naval militia and the use Of the
tugs as long as required.
Admiral Erben declined the offer. With
in a few days the yachts Free Lance,
Aileen, Restless and Viking were ready.
They were oficered and manned by men
from the Navy. The destruction of mines
by vessels going through forbidden chan
nels at once came to an end. and this
was attributed by Admiral Erben to the
difference between the work of the reg
ulars and that of the militia.
In accordance with orders from Wash
ington. members of the Naval Militia not
already assigned to duty are now being
examined and taken into the service. They
will be utilized as recruits for the Navy
and will be scattered among the fighting
ships auxiliary cruisers or eolliers, as
they may be needed. About 200 of them
will be available, according to the re-
ports received by Admiral Erben. Under
this arrangement very few will be wanted
as officers and disappointment will fol-
low.
Capt. Miller is much put out on account
OF the condition of affairs. There was
talk at one time of placing him In charge
Of the third coast defense district, which
includes this port, but Of late nothing has
been heard of that plan.
1t was expected by the Naval Militia
here that the yachts now doing patrol
duty would be onicered and manned by
them. To be relegated. to monitors and
other warships as coal passers or clean
ers OF brass does not agree with their
IDEAS of the duties of the Naval Militia |
in time Of war. 1t Is with an idea Of hav- |
ing these matters rectified that CAPT. MIL |
Ter has gone to Washington.
Commander Harry Knox, who was at
the head Of the Bureau of Applied Me-
at the Naval Academy has been
ordered to relieve Commander BeIknap in |
the Second Battalion of naval |
reserves In RrookIvn