The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1898-03-22

OFFICERS IN COUNCIL.
Gen. Joseph W. Plume Con-
fers With Six Colonies
in Newark.
REGIMESTAL STANDING GOOD
State Troops Would Be Sent to
the Coast TO Resist
Invaders.

Major General j. w. Plume, division
commander of the New Jersey National
Guard, and the commandments of the six
infantry regiments in the Guard, Colonies
Campbell of the First, Newark; Hine of
the Second, Paterson; Lee of the Thlrd,
Elizabeth; Smith of the Fourth, Jersey
City; Cooper of the Sixth, Camden, and
Bamford of the Seventh, Trenton, held
a long consultation in Newark Sunday
over military matters, particularly, It IS
thought, as to the prospects OF a call on
the New Jersey troops in the near future.
There were also present at the conference
Brigadier General P. Farmer Wanser OF
Jersey City, commanding the First Bri-
gade, composed of the First, Second and
Fourth Regiments and Lieutenant Colonel
Thomas S. Chambers of Trenton, Assist
ant Adjutant General on the staff of Brig
adler General William ]. Sewell. COM
handing the Second Brigade, composed OF
the Third, Sixth and Seventh Regiments.
Although none of those present will deny
or affirm the reports that any conference
was held or any of the reported actions
taken, it is that the meeting
was called by General Plume for the pur-
pose of outlining plans for ordering OUT
the Guard should such a course be foun0
necessary. The standing of the regiments
as regards membership was reported on,
it is said, as excellent by all the regl-
mental commandments, and the Willingness
and eagerness of the men to serve were
also subjects of a report.
The meeting is declared to have been
more of an informal nature than other
wise, and although no orders were issued
the Colonies were told to have their men
in readiness to respond to an emergency
call at any time. The capability of the
ya iIroadC IN $cOnp with the problem OF
transporting the troops to the sea coast
at short notice was also discussed, it IS
said.
It is said that within a few hours the
entire division could be modified on the
coast where, in the opinion of the highest
officers of the guard, it would be most
needed. There are no Notifications on
the coast from Sandy Hook to APE May,
excepting a four gun battery at sea Glft.
which was turned over We to- the state Of
of two ten-inch Dahlgren guns and two
twelve-inch mortars, properly mounted
and protected by earthworks. In the rear
of the battery has been built a store
house for ammunition and working imple-
ments. The battery was erected by cap
tain w. p. Ayres of the United States
Army, and is a model, in It's way, OF ar
tillery engineering.
A Complete outfit of implements, APP
~pliances and furniture necessary to the
with it and taken to the State Arsenal,
where they are safely stored and are
ready for use as occasion may require
The battery is situated on the ocean front
of the grounds of the State Camp of In
struction at Sea Girt, which would be the
headquarters of the State troops operat-
ing on the coast. Unfortunately New
Jersey National GuardSmen have never
been given Instruction in operating the
battery and the United States Army Ar
tillery would Undoubtedly operate it in
case of trouble.
The New Jersey troops would probably
stay on the coast of this State if ordered
out. With only the aforementioned bat
terry to protect it the Guard would act as
the defenders from nvaders who might
be landed from ships coming in near the
coast. Such invading troops would be
landed under the fire of g~unboats, accord
ing to military experts, who discussed the
matter with a reporter, and then the work
of the Guard would be in holding and
driving them back.
Plans for such work were discussed
yesterday, it is said, although as on other
points the officers present refused to talk
All inquiries were referred to General
Plume. with the comment that he was the
commanding officer. General Plume him
self refused to discuss the matter or adj
init the holding of the conference.
There has been considerable discussion
as to the manner in which the New Jersey
troops would be called out, if needed
Even the highest army officers differ on
this subject. The general opinion is that
President Mckinley would call on Cover
nor VOORHEES, for the number of men
wanted, and that the Governor would
then designate such portions of the guard
as he may see fit to send. The National
Guard organization would be continued
with its present officers. without a doubt,
it is claimed.
Let me tell you that the National
Guard of this State is too well regarded
by the War Department and the general
Government to be left without a call when
organized, equipped and disciplined Off
GERS and men are needed" said one of the
highest military officers in the State to-
day when asked about the matter of
using the guard.
Meetings of the field and staff officers
of the different regiments will be called
this week by the commandments, when
the exact condition of all the companies
will be reported on, it is said. Within a
few days, the quarterly reports of cap
tains of companies showing the exact
conditions of their commands, recent ac-
c~essions and dismissalswill be sent to the
different regimental headquarters.
a LENTEE LECTURE.
49, q - x.-.. - 1.t.,o. - D.1feo y