The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-04-03
4 NAVAL. RESERVE NEEDED.
Geaersl Msbry's Plan to Convert the
Volunteer Guard Into Onc.
ne BELIEVES THERE WILL BE WAR.
NE Then substnntisted the state
ment TINT Correspondence Has
Passed with Authorities.

Galveston. Texas, April 2-Adjutant
General w. II. Mabry OF the Texas Vol
unteer Guard is in Galveston. He arrived
here this morning and his visit is OF the
highest importance. The general went at
once TO the fremont Hotel and sent for
the commanders Of the local companies.
After stating that the purpose OF his
visit was to take steps toward drilling the
local guard In naval tactics. General Ma
bry said:
Texas, as YOU know, has no naval NTH
Tia. The law here does not contemplate
such an organization. The full mnnsia
strength Of 5000 men has seen eiisted and
under existing laws this NUMBER can not
be increased. Since there is ri,il ior
naval militia, ] am seeing what can lie
done with our regular troops in this lipe,
WITH view to having them receive in
struetions in this line should II become
necessary. Proper orders will be issued
Just as soon as the best course Is deter
mined upon. | think 1t viii be possible
to detail companies OF the National Guaru
as naval militia IL it should become nsccs.
sary 10 do so.
The local companies are In good condl-
ton and could soon be made ready for ac-
tive service. But even should war come, /
see little hope Of glory in it for the land
forces. Span is too far away to invaie,
and arming the Cubans, who are acclimared
10 the conditions in Cuba would be bot
ter move than sending our own TROOPS
there. or course our coast cities VIII have
TO be defended against possible attack and
the volunteer guard may be necessary To
aid in manning the heavy coast defenses.
But what Washington wants most now Is a
x,tI,S sol No or
cnt laws, has made TO provision ror.'
General Alabry believes there will be war
between Spain and the United STATES and
then added significantly:
II may also say that considerable CORE
spondence has passed between the war and
navy departments of the United states and
the government of Texas as to the coldi-
ton of State troops and their availesiu,y
as naval militia. Beyond this statement 1t
would be manifestly improper 70 go =
General Mabry will go to Houston tonlCr-
row and there confer with a naval officer
snent the mobilization of the Texas 81
unteer Guard Into a naval reserve.
NAVAL RESERVE MEETING
A movement to organize a naval reserve
was started on foot here today. Mr.. j.
Il. Iiawlcy has consented to take the mi
tiatiye in this matter and has issued the
following:
To Whom 1t May Concern.
A meeting will be held tomorrow (Sun-
day. afternoon at 4:30 O'clock in The Weed
building, now used as a naval rendczycus,
for the purpose of preliminary organlza-
ticn of a naval reserve. All Interested in
such move are urgently reg tested to at
tend and discuss the situation and odvis-
ability of such permanent organization AS
may be possible under the law.
There is no law in Texas under which
an armed naval militia or home guard
could be organized. The Texas legislatures
have ignored this branch of the service III
all provision IL has made for the Volunteer
Guard. But the prospect of war with
Spain is such that move to form ali as
sociation or home guard was deemed adj
visable.
Chief Engineer Webster said he did not
think there would be any objection 10 the
use of the WooA building and warmly COM
mended the movement
Should it be i;uri necessary to defend
the Fort from q. attack from Spanish
man OF war, such II reserve could do yoo-
man service, There are a number of small
craft in the harbor which on Il pinch
might be converted into torpedo boats
which would give good account of them
serves in case of trouble.