The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-06-05

Guard and provision should be made N
tbs state law 60 that me naval militia
could be taken out OF the state and exef-
Ssed with the uihtia OF another state.
Functions OF the Naval Militia
Although the government. has favored
the naval militia in every way, 1t cannot
be called proper substitute for naval
reserve. but nevertheless ii has partieu-
lar and very important functions which
belong 20 them alone. They must DC de-
pended upon primarily as 4 second Inc
OF defense; that is. the placing OF SUB
marine mines and the establishment or
signal stations for coas, defense. so Tar
the apnrooriations have hxcn too small 10
allow the department 10 drill and care FOR
the militia as IL would Ike TO- IL has
urged upon congress the necessity OF pro-
viding mora field and rapid-fire guns and
torpedo and submarine mine outfits. SO
that the naval militia may be brought to
such state of efficiency that they would
render good service when called upon
But the many political questions or the
day have SO absorbed the attention OF our
congressman that our army ard navy
have had 10 go almost without recogni-
ton.
The first volunteers called 'out at the
outbreak of this war was the naval mill
tia OF New York. Massachusetts, ard New
Jersey. each state promptly responding TO
the call. The first 70 go into active ser
vice was the First battalion OF New York.
The scarcity OF ships forced the gov
eminent 70 make use OF the Old monitors.
which for more than thirty years had
been laid up at the navy yards. abandoned
and almost forgotten. Although their
eleven-inch wrought iron arusor and fif-
teen-inch smooth-bore guns would make
a poor defense against Spanish battle
ship, they were hastily refitted and sent
,a~.J, ha anti IN
harbors. The first Of these boats to be
put into commission was the Nahant, and
1t will so down in history that she was the
first government vessel manned solely by
the naval militia. excepting the COM
mand!ng officer. On April II last she was
placed in command or Lieut.. Richmond.
L. s. ", and her crew OF New York vol
| unteers went to Philadelphia 10 take
charge. She sailed from there with her
new crew, who navigated her safely into
New York haroor. where she is now sta
toned.
First Cruise in War Time.
1.-THE account given in Harper's Weekly
OF this cruise the first made by the naval
militia in war time. gives great praise for
the discipline observed and the readiness
with which the boys adapted themselves
TO the work. Since then nearly all of the
Eastern naval militia has been called out.
either to man harbor defense vessels or
to take charge Of coast signal stations.
The last advices are that the California
battalion has been called out. part TO go
to Honolulu and part on the monitor Mo-
nadnock
LAS has been stated before. the naval
militia cannot take the place OF a national
naval reserve. and ii remains to be seen
just what place in our military force they
are capable OF occupying. But. like our
volunteer land forces. there is no doubt
but that they will give a most excellent
account of themselves should they ever
meet the Spaniards.
Oregon has recently organized a naval
militia. and the governor OF that state
has given them sufficient sum of money
TO equip them in proper manner. The
state Of Washington. with the finest body
OF salt water that exists in the world, has
none. Efforts have been made 10 organs
ize time and again, but the movement re-
ceives no support from those from whom
support ought TO come.
IF Missouri. an inland state bordering
on a big muddy fresh water stream, can
raise enough enthusiasm to uniform
naval militia, why cannot this state,
which includes the grandest of inland
seas. Then. too. the protection OF this
state depends not SO much on its infantry
and cavalry as on its seacoast defenses.
SO that now, in time Of war. when all the
regular navy is being ordered to the
front, 1t is high time that we have naval
militia capable OF defending our own sea-
coast"