The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-03-27

ries. and they proceeded so far as to APP
point the board, the representative OF the
navy designated by Secretary Long being
Captain Barker, his naval ald and the rep
resentative of the army named by Secretary
Alger being Captain Dorst one of the at
taches of the secretary Some objection
was made by the army officers to the crea-
ton of the board, and day or two ago
Captain Dorst was withdrawn from the pro-
posed board. 1t seemed yesterday that the
whole proposition would be abandoned, but
to-day it was revived, and Lieutenant Col
onel A. L. Wagner, chief of the Bureau of
Military Intelligence, was designated by
Secretary Alger to act with Captain Barker
as the representative Of the army. Late
this afternoon Captain Barker and Colonel
WAGNER had an extended conference with
Assistant Secretary Roosevelt in the latter s
private office. Preliminary plans for the
operation of the board were formulated
along the lines indicated above, but no def
mite statement concerning the nature of the
boards work could be obtained from any
OF the parties to the conference. In case of
hostilities the work of the board will be
very important as through it the two great
departments of the government at all times
will work in perfect unison It is believed
by many Of the war and navy officials that
the board composed as it is of two most
efficient officers, will prove Of distinct value.
AS rapidly as possible the Navy Depart
ment is pushing the work of preparation for
calling into active service such of the
naval militia of the various States
as may be needed and will volun-
teer for service. AS already announced,
the naval militia of Massachusetts and
New York has rendered it's service, and
as soon as the necessary arrangements can
be made such of the officers and men as may
be needed will be placed upon the old mont
tors, now at League Island navy yard Phil
adeIphia, and others on the newly-acquired
yachts and tugs purchased for harbor and
coast defense. At present it is not regarded
by the navy officials as probable that the
naval militia of any of the Middle Western
States will soon be called into service. The
indications now are that a sufficient number
of men can be secured from the militia Of
Massachusetts, New York and New Jersey
to meet all requirements. Should hoStilitieS
break out, however, it is regarded ex-
tremely likely that the naval militia of both
9he Middle Western and Southern States
will be called upon to assist in manning
auxiliary cruisers and coast defense vessels.
Naval officials regard the naval militia as
a. most valuable adjunct to the navy proper,
as it could be utilized not only to man the
smaller ssels, but could ne depended upon
as a second line of defense. AS Assistant
Secretary Roosevelt points out, there are
two very important features which could
be attended to by this second line. One is
the placing of mines; and the other, the
establishment of signal stations for coast
defense. The naval militia of Massachu-
sets and New York has been given special
instruction in torpedo practice and coast
signaling, and the service of such men will
prove of great value. 1t has been suggested
that the life-saving stations, being under
government control, should be fully
equipped with apparatus for signaling
Whether the life-saving crews, in such an
event, would be augmented by the addition
OF naval militiamen to handle the signals
or whether the regular crews would be
called upon to perform the service is not
known.