New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-04-25
NAVAL RESERVES OBJECT.
THE MEN ARE UNWILLING TO DISBAND
BEFORE JOINING THE NAVY.

COMMUNICAT1ON FROM CAPTAIN cRowNlNsHlhi-D
READ 10 THE MASSACHUSETTS AND NEW
JERSEY DETAILS AT PHIIADELPHIA-
THEY WILL DEFER ACTION UNTIL
AFTER GOING TO PORTLAND.
PHILADELPHIA, April "a The latest NOV ment
in naval circles in connection with the Naval
Reserves is 70 disband their organizations. ana
enlist such members are willing TO enter
,ha rer,llar service This determination bids
fair 10 raise as strong objection on the part OF
the enlisted Reserves II did In the Natona!
Guard. which was only settled when speciai
act O. Congress passed 10 overcome the
objections.
Before the Catskill sailed this morning WIN
tb. Massachusetts Naval Reserves on board.
this communication was read on her quarter
deck The same letter was simultaneously read
on the monitors Montauk and Lehigh. when
will be manned by the Jersey City ana Boston
Reserves respectively.
GU. The Denartment has directed that before
entering into service aboard naval vessels an
enlisted men OF the Naval Militia shaH ~ uls
charged from their enlistments IN that nody
ord 10 re enlisted for service IN the Navy ~
naval recruiting officer. for "A PERIOD OF one -
unless sooner discharged. All oficers OF ,ne
Naval Militia WILL before beng chhen a,l'o SCI
v,ce receive acting appointments as oihcers oI
he Navy in the grades IN which they are -
enrve on hoard the monitors which nave a.,
ready been commissioning these p''''S'''''
ne mt into effect Immediately.
cecond-Vhue onllstments will be mace 1o'
general service Il IS 10 he undcrstood wa.
viii always II practicable. be detailed ior ST. w.
In a body and that their Organization VIII lo'
he broken up. unless the eXigencles OF .ns ~,
,.,ce imDerativey demand It. II Is requested 'h.t
,.,, VII Gauge this information 10 be MADE
inown Immediately 20 the officers and men OF
the Naval Militia Of YOUR state ana Una, ~
will take steps looking 10 the discha!se % ny
men nrior 10 their existing into the hh'hi
service T. CROwNINsHIELD.
Chief Of Navigation Bureau
On the Montauk the letter was read oy FIX
ecut,ve officer and Navigator r. Mcclure feters'
The men repaired 10 the engine-roofn' "heio
they discussed the matter thoroughly ana "nA"'
agreed 10 respond, as follows;
rdwarn Mcclure Peters. Executive Officer and
Navigator OF United States steamship Mon-
Sir: We. the special detail at present prepaI-
ing the monitor Montauk for voyage 10 -
land Me express our surprise AZ the com
rnunicafion received from the Bureau or NaW-
gafion. and hereby make this declaration OF our
Intentions: . .-o,oa,
,tn, that dehands or jeopard!zes the existence
Of the New jersey Naval Reserves, Iha' we uv
Heve u our men are competent ana U.s. 1870 10
Of public support in time or peace our b'h'"' -
not changed in time OF war 49,.
SorondIThat we believe our officers are thor
oughly competent 10 command US. ana ,na' ~,
..tr,tsno a. nd ioyslty the New Jersey Reserve
iii do as good service. and even better. as
naval Reserve than II our organization was os-
handed and split into fragments, there peihs ~
crrclusiye or definite proposition In the COM
rnunlca,ion that We Will be held together'
Thjrd-We have been assigned mere l"i ~.
c,ai duty and In the absence or the ehtife pat
talon any action on our paTt AT TINS tiii.e 49,,
No discourteOus to our shipmates ana might
tend to influence them ~
'e ti-u,,r,bAs mem bers Of the Naval Reserve. we
harohv declare our willingness TO 90 enywhere'
-, any craft the Government may oeclue' III
n,avs providing that we 20 as Inc NhvaI Nessi "
NJ New-Jersey, ana uhoer the oi"Ceie wv
trained us ana IN "Ho'' VIC nav ~
nljcit confidence. ..u
In WOW OF these sentiments. the present oethii
haa-1 the T. s. s Montauk hereby resolves
that we will give no answer 10 the proposltlon
in this communication uii'' 0i'' W" ~
from Portland. Me.
Tho Cstskill started this morning. at o:oo Tor
,.s,o, Before sailing. all the members OF tho
,,assechusetts Reserves gave expression 10 ex-
ao,,,, Tho same opinion regarding the enlistment
NJ the Reserves into the regular SERVICE do u'u
the men on the Montauk.
rxscutive f. Mcclure Peters was picked out
Yesterday for special duty ana ass's"eu ~ 'h7
,,.ork n, taking the single-turreted monitor
A,ax 10 Cramps shipyard Tor repairs Inc
New-Jersey officers are regarded highly by tho
rooular Navy officers, which fact SHOWS they are
ooorded as competent TO take charge OF any
,,uiar,, cruiser In the Navy. In which event
,ho pattaljon OF the East will in all probability
.,,er into conflict with Spain with all the
enthusiasm Of loyal volunteers
crr,rop AED MRS HANNA RETURN.