The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-10-17
NAVAL RESERVES REORGANIzA-


Early in the approaching session Of Con-
gross a bill will be introduced 10 reor-
ganize the naval reserve, upon a broader
and more comprehensive basis. The CHER
of the bureau of navigation and the com
J mander of the recently disbanded naval
auxiliary fleet are at work upon a plan
Of organization, which will be sent TO Con
! gress with the Endorsement of the Secre-
/ tary OF the Navy. The defects in the
old plan We're many, and they became ep-
parent when the country found Itself in
a state of war. Some organizations of the
naval militia rendered good service, while
others went 10 pieces before they got into
| the service at all. The Illinois organiza-
ton, for instance. made up of men who
volunteered as individuals, rendered such
effective services that it has been compll-
mented with a fine converted yacht cruiser
! which it will use as a dril and practice
vessel The New York and Baltimore
naval militia, which volunteered as or
CARNATIONS were assigned to large con-
verted merchantmen cruisers, with which
they did good work. The Georgia organ
ization, meantime, did not get a Whit of
brine or of powder
1t Is proposed that the new organization
shall be under direct mana gement of the
national government, which will furnish
ships and instructors. and arms and equip
ments, together with ammunition for prac
tiee purposes. The government has now
at its disposal a considerable number of
yachts and similar vessels which We're pur-
chased for service during the war with
Spain, and II is proposed that these shall
be distributed among the naval reserve.
Volunteer officers of the grade of ensign
and lieutenant, junior grade, are to serve
In the regular navy six months every four
years, for purposes of instruction Upon
such officers leaving the service after four
years or more they will be given a naval
certificate setting forth their experiences
and capacities. This feature, it is thought.
will have much influence toward popu-
larizing the reserve. The nautical edu-
cation which would be received by the vol
unteer ensigns and leutenants, and their
naval certificates, would open the way for
them to receive desirable berths in the
merchant service. There is a similar rule
~ tAiS l'AlNioI anu i TEnCH naval services,
and many commanders of British and
French merchant steamships owe their
positions TO the fact that they received
their sea schooling in the navy.
The naval reserve Of the different states
is to be first subject to the call of the state
government, and then to the call of the
national government; but the national
government is to have authority in case
of need, to make a cali direct and not
through the state. Members are to en-
list as individuals, subject to such as
signment in case of war as the
navy department may determine. Officers
and men of the reserve, while in the ser
vice of the United States, are to receive
pay equal to that received by those hold
ing corresponding positions in the regular
service. Cruises, drills and target practice
are to be held by the reserve of each state
at least once every twelve months, and at
such times the reserve win be under
command Of an officer of the regular navy,
who viii be assigned for the purpose.