The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-03-30
NAVAL RESERVES WILL STAND BY.
Not Believed the savannah Division
VIII BE Disrupted.

Lieut.. II. S. Colding has not yet replied
to the request made on him at a recent
officers meeting of the two divisions of
the naval militia to resign in favor of
Lieut.. c. L. Broughton as candidate for
lieutenant commander of the battalion.
Lieut.. Coldlng will probably resign, but not
| at present The matter with him may be
governed largely by subsequent events.
That the Second division of the militia.
of which Lieut.. Colding was in command,
will be considerably broken up after the
term of their enlistment expires does not
seem so probable now, though there is siill
some dissatisfaction 1t is believed by
many members that an afterthought will
be taken by the men who feel inclined to
leave the battalion, and that things will
move on uninterruptedly. AS there is much
Importance attached to the militia at this
time. in view of the uncertain conditions
as to national peace, the disintegration of
the forces would be greatly deplored for
many reasons. Strong influences win
doubtless be brought to bear to preserve
the battalion's unity, and the success win
be entirely with those of the militia who
are willing to take second thought. The
terms of about eighteen men of the
Second division win expire March 81, as
stated in yesterdays Morning News, and
II is asserted that many of them intend al
lowing their enlistments to lapse without
renewing them.
Lieut.. Broughton was seen in regard to
the rumored split among the men and ex-
pressed the hope that there would be no
such move. He said he never intended
becoming candidate for lieutenant COM
mander until a short time ago, and ii was
then in response to a call and assurances
of support from the men of the Third di-
vision of which he is in command Then
he was assured he would receive the solid
support of the Brunswick divisions, who
expressed a desire that he run for the
office. Lieut.. Broughton said he would
not have offered himself for the position
had he not received the solid support of
the officers of his own division, together
with the eight votes from Brunswick.
Even with only the support from Bruas-
wick his election would have been pos
sible by voting for himself, but he stared
he would not have accepted the Office I'M
der such conditions.
A great number will have to resign If
the Second division is broken. There are
now about 100 men and eight officers in
the two divisions According to law. the
minimum number allowed a division is
thirty-two men, and granted the eighteen
whose enlistments soon expire should drop
out, while only about thirty-two men
creased with men from the Third divis-
ion. The progress of the men, however
has been such in the way of perfecting
themselves in drill that the drawback of
recruits would be greatly regretted.
The naval militia has to keep up with
more different branches of drilling than
the other military organizations" said
Lieut.. Broughton. THE men are drilled
in artillery, cavalry, infantry and seaman
ship. In all these branches it may be
said those of both divisions are exception
ally well drilled. Especially is this the
case in signals, which are given with the
flag In day and searchlight at night Close
attention has been given to this branch
of drilling and they have made marked
headway."
When asked as to what course he would
take in the matter. Lieut.. Colding replied
that he would determine later. There is
one thing you may say" he said, Tin re-
gard TO the report that inspired the meet
ing of the men who voted for me as their
choice for lieutenant commander of the
battalion. ! want 10 say that any man
who makes the assertion that 1 had any
thing to do with having that meeting call
ca utters a falsehood. The men them
selves took it up and all that was done
was by them alone"
In the event of the election of Lieut.
Broughton, which would cause a general
promotion among the officers of the Sec
ond division, Lieut.. ]. II. Kinzie, junior
grade, would become division lieutenant
commander Ensign T. M. Baker would
become lieutenant junior grade and this
would leave Ensign G. e. Dickinson ana
another officer of the same rank to be
elected. Just when the election will he
ordered by the Governor is still a ques
ton, though the facts will be presented
to him and an early one requested.