New-York tribune., 1898-12-02
NAVAL MILITIA IN THE WAR.
REPORT OF LIEUTENANT SWITZERLAND
CREATION OF A PERMANENT
RESERVE URGED

washington, Dec. l.-Lieuenant w. II. II. South
erland. in charge Of matters pertaining TO the Ma
val Militia has made a report to the Assistant Sec
retary OF the Navy. At the beginning OF the year
an allotment OF $4,000 made to several States
having Naval Militia organizations with total OF
4fi5 men. The States California. Connecticut.
Florida Georgia. Illinois. Louisiana. Maryland,
Massachusetts. Michigan. New-Jersey. New-York.
North Carolina. Ohio. Pennsylvania. Rhode Island.
South Carolina and VII ginia. The District Of CO.
lumbla has since mustered in an organization. The
various States mustered into service during the
the following:
California l3 officers and % men; Connecticut. 10
officers and lS Florida officers and IS men.
and in the signal service officers and 35 men.
Illinois 10 officers and 709 men: Louisiana. 10 OFF,
and PA men; Maryland "A officers and 425 men,
| Massachusetts 3s Ulcers and 3Si men: Michigan.
II officers and go men, New-Jersey. "a officers and
573 New York, 49 officers and so5 men: North
| Carolina. Q officers and lS9 men: Pennsylvania. Is
officers and 81 men; Rhode Island officers and AZ
men; South Carolina IS officers. mates and ls7
men, and Virginia. officers and 81
The report says that from the beginning Of the
building OF the new Navy efforts have been made
to organize a Naval Militia, but nothing has been
done beyond the formation Of few State organi-
cations. The principal training has been in the line
OF coast defence. It continues
The experience of this short has clearly
demonstrated the imperative necessity for the
maintenance Of a National naval reserve. In the
| organization Of which too much reliance must not
| be placed upon the merchant marine alone. This
experience has shown that considerable part Of
the merchant marine will be drawn into the service
Of the Army in Transport duty which, Of course.
materially reduces the class from which the Navy
would hope 70 get its enlisted men. Although
recrai,ed o"sde the seafaring dIas- faiIeG fully to
meet the requirements Of tho case. they were all
at the beginning of the war. majority OF these
through cooperation on the part OF the Governors
ment. and mustered into the service FOR duty
! on cruising ships in the United States auxiliary
al an1fn ehn Cic "a Tha
ranId mobiIIzaton bv its lack Of Fednrs urisdit
/ tlon over these organization but m the end
coded in obtaining I force OF over four thousand
Too much cannot be said Of the patriotism dis
played by majority OF tho memters Of these or
never been 70 sea before m. mast knew that they
were to face not only The dangers of war. but hard
ships 70 which they had never been accustomed.
/ Lieutenant Southerland says the classes OF Naval
Militia should be enrolled for five years and in
such classes should BE- included those who have
served In the present war and all others who
connected with s'a service and not in the regular
naval esta ablishment These classes should take ar
annual course Of instruction and drill The enrol
ment Of the new organization could he conducted
by the officers of the Naval Militia who served in
the Spanish A naval officer should be do
tailed TO conduct the drill of the ships companies
Officers should be commissioned in the naval re-
serve after an examination by board of naval
| officers. The estimate Of the cost cf a naval re-
! out OF the war the entire naval reserve would be
Immediately available. In the case Of the last war
many in the State organizat ms were rejected after
a physical examination. but this would be avoided
/ by a proper enrolment OF the Naval Militia In
conclusion he says.
The Congress should provide that all laws which
the Regular Navy should also apply to the officers
Reserve during the time tina; they are taking the
annual course Of instruction and drill prescribed by
~ fhl II .l,.g... ALL
restrict the general enrolment the first year to a
!lmt which will come well within the appropra-
appropriation Of S2cooo will be sufficient for a
sand men at the end Of three years
The scheme for enrolment and organization is as
| follows
,nosA l. Al the beginning Of the rext fiscal year
present. Naval Militia organizations between ;hs
| ages of eighteen and forty-hve who served II
elect win be enrolled under the direction 'i' Of the
Secret1ry OF the Navy in United States Nava.
them when mustered ou Of the naval service. with
out eXaminat.on provide that any one who has
| officer may If he SO elect. stand an examination
! or petty officer may stand an examination for the
each the soan1sr oreSe and Y be granted 5
served in the Navy during the late war. and 70
Naval Academy who Is not now on the active list
| or the Navy The only exception TO this privilege
/
| Of fitness or discharges show them to be ncom-
g. The Secretary Of the Navy will. If possible
detail regular officer to conduct such enrolment
/ t. Either a regular officer Of the senior re-
! serve line officer thus enrolled in each State will
/ at assume charge Of the entire reserve force
/ enrolled In said State. and Will organize ii
one more ships companies. Of such strength and
after such manner "a may he directed by the Sec
retary of the Navy.
THE AGE LIMITS.
l e1
general enrolment will be opened in edcn State
| TO al able-Dodied men. between the ages OF eigh-
! mery enlisted men IN the United States Navy or
| the Marine Corps. eX-oficers and formerly enlisted
of the various States. who served in the Navy dur
I ing the present war; eA,oiiicers ana formerly en-
| United States Life-Sayng Service. United states
Lighthouse Service and United states Coast sur
ships. and all persons holding certificates as mas
engineers. or licenses as pilots issued by duly au-
thorizcd commissioners boards OF inspection. and
serving in the merchant marine of the United
states and al. Other officers and men serving In
said merchant marine. the owners. QihcerS ana
porated yacht club and every other person whose
principal occupation Is on the nigh seas sounds
Tinted states or in the construction. repair and
rigging Of vessels the construction and repair
OF provided that all such are citizens or naturazed
citizens of the United States. ,.r ;, oon,ro,.d
c. Said general enrolment shall be conducted
in each State either by Nava Reserve 9fiicer 70, or
Naval officer at the discretion of the N"yy ,n. Ds
Tor which the applicants may he found qualified by
board Of Of g2yS oIIrs apo'a Of ~ tine Navy in
good standing may be enrolled in me telatlve ".
mained in the naval service, provided they pass ~ a..
examination therefor. ani an sraiuatvs ot en
in the Naval Reserves with their respective cidsses
az the Naval Academy according 10 the oiH't ol
amincd and II found qualified promoted with their
Naval Academy classes In the same or"er