The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-03-24
MILITIA TO BIZ CALLED OUT


70 h HepeA sAe TsaineA ssase TrssDs
Win De InaneeA - vsisnases
In Large KsA1esA
WASHINGTON. March s:-secretary
Ayers oflce At the var department prs-
scented an unusual busy atpecs today. A
number Of members az ecagreN called to
have word with the secretary. amcng
them b4ing Senator's Lodge and Hoar ana
Representative Marsh. of IihscIs-
Representative Marsh Is chairman OF
the house committee en- military Affairs.
which has recently reported the bill to re-
organize the badly Of state sai6iefy. 70,
raise it's efficiency and 10 appsopriass
u.wg,aD for IL support. The chairman
sad he had spoken 10 Speaker Reed re-
Gently In regard g the bill, and ne hoped
to be able TO cali Il up in the house for
consideration within a reasonable time
During his interview wisn Secretary Al
gar Mr.. Marsh urged that In inc eseni
CT hassliis.ex the first recourse Of the gov
eminent for soldiers be the state 1naiiaiA'
who should be invited to volunteer tos
sha eouatry's defense. These men. ne
uein,ea out, are vel organized. Wen
drilled and officered. and are In position
to render very effectiye service. In view
Of these facts, Mr.. Marsh believed thai
/. was the duty Of the government 10 eau
upon these old soldiers for duty IN case
they care to volunteer. II any members
or officers Of the guard preferred not 10
enlis, because Of families or business
cares and responsibilities. then their
PLACES might be taken By volunteers from
outside the service. Secretary Alger was
very much interested in the arguments
made by Marsh, and while not committing
himself on that subject seemed 70 regard
the suggestions made by him as practical
bic. Afterward Mr. Marsh called on Presi-
dent Mckinley and repeated the state
ments he had made 10 the secretary.
Fortiacations NJ DEF Tortugas.
During the morning Secretary Aiger was
also In conference with Gen. Miles COM
manding the army, respecting the mill
tary occupation Of Fort Jefferson, on Dry
Tortugas island. The determination 10 gar
r;son this fort has been reached by the
secretary after a conference with his aides
and the navy department officials. and the
questions now to be met are those OF what
improvements in the Notifications now
there may be necessary. Already a con-
tract has been let by the navy department
for dredging large part of the harbor OF
the island so as to permit the entrance OK
large naval vessels. and today bids were
opened for erecting an immense shed. In
which the navy win store large supplies
Of coal.
Ii is realized, however. that without very
material improvements and additions TO
the fortificatlons and armament OF Fort
Jefferson It would be impossible to pro-
tect the coal supply fresn the depredations
OF a hostile feet, unless the United States
men-of-war were constantly on hand for
that purpose. The armament OF Fort JET
<erson at this time consists of probably
over a hundred old time smooth-bere guns.
which would have to be supplemented by
a number Ct additional ones of modern
pattern and effectiveness.
Reports TO the war department show
that ABOUT wv men up 10 tais ttsuc nave
been enlisted for the two artillery regi-
ments recently authorized by congress.
About LEGO men TN all are required. Most
of the new recruits are sent 70 join old
established regiments, and in many cases
experienced men from the latter are de-
tailed for duty at the seacoast fortifica-
tons.
schisy viii Succeed sicard.
There IL general impression at the
navy department that IL will become nee
essary shortly to relieve Rear Admiral
squadron and grant him indefinite sick
leave. Secretary Long desires TO have II
understood that his action In Endorsing a
medical board Of survey Cor the examina-
upon the report OF that officer Commo-
dore w 5. Schiey. chairman OF the light
house board, is regarded as most likely 10
succeed Admiral Sicard. should he be re-
Sieard it is generally understood In naval
circles that he Will he assigned 70 the
command OF one OK the divisional fleets
about 10 be organized on the home sta
cessors 70 Admiral Sieard are Admiral
Bunce. commandment Of the New York
navy yard. and Capt Sampson. president
Of ,ae Maine court of inquiry.