Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-11-22
NEED OF A NAVAL RESERVE
LEGISLATION NEEDED TO ESTAB-
LISH THE SYSTEM.
Matters Treated by Assistant Secre-
tary Hackett in His An
nual Report.

Assistant Secretary Hackett has made a
report to the Secretary of the Navy in re-
gard to the islands of Guam and Tutuila,
the United States naval stations in island
possessions outside of the United States, the
naval militia, and other matters over which
he has general supervision. He says
that the establishment of suitable govern
ment over the islands of Guam and Tuutila
has not been without its difficulties. The
responsibility of creating and keeping in
operation system of government adapted
to the needs of people wholly ignorant of
the United States and it's institutions has
rested upon officers of the navy.
Mr.. Hackett takes pleasure in saying that
the officers charged with these new and
perpleXing duties have from the beginning
achieved success that reflects credit upon
the service. So far the department has
been able to judge, he says, the discretion
necessarily vested in these officers has been
uniformly exercised with scrupulous regard
Tor the welfare of the people committed to
their charge.
Guam and Tutuiia.
The conditions at Guam and Tutuila are
reviewed and the statement made that the
people of both islands appear to be con-
tented with the new state Of affairs The
year has been busy one at Guam, and
ldiS nave Deeu uOIle " Improve
the situation there. Mr. Hackett says the
schools are fiourishing and the general
health of the island shows a marked i'm
provement. The suggestion is made that
our transports touch at Guam and TutuiIa
as frequently as possible.
The assistant secretary says that the
tabishment of naval station at Guam Is
of the utmost importance. The port of
Pago Pago, he says, is destined to grow in
Importance and to prove of the greatest
convenience to the commerce of the United
States. He commends the work done by
Commandant Tllley IN bringing the natives
to knowledge of the meaning of the
transfer OF the islands to the sovereignty
of the United States.
The tragic event which occurred in Samoa
in April, 1892 of the killing Of British and
American officers and men in an action
with the natives, has been commemorated
by the erection of a suitable monument.
Mr.. Hackett says the ceremony of unveil-
ing this monument will attract attention,
marking, as it does, conflict in which
British and American sailors and marines
fought side by side. On the suggestion of
the commandant a small force of natives
consisting of fifty-four men, has been en-
listed to serve as an armed guard. They are
under good discipline, and take pride in
their service.
Attention is invited to the need of a
commodious hospital upon high land near
the Punch Bowl, just outside of the city
Of Honolulu, and appropriation is asked
for that purpose.
Mention is made of the grateful recog-
milton by the Navy Department of the
humane services to American naval pris-
oneTs rendered by Frederick w. Ramsden
deceased, who, during the recent Spanish
war. was British consul at Santiago, Cuba
handsome bronze tablet suitably in
scrloed, Ia In preparation, and will be
affixed to the house where Mr.. Ramsdea
lived.
The Naval Militia.
Special attention is fuyitad fo tba ro,orx
of the operations of the naval militia for
the year 1900, prepared by Lieutenant Com
mander w. H. H. Switzerland. 'These an
nual naval militia reports" says the assist
ant secretary. "are now sufficient in num-
Der to indicate in a general way the chief
results of an experiment that has been tried
1or the purpose of placing upon a sure foun-
dat1on the naval militia. The advantages
and disadvantages of the system as it now
exists are readily to be observed.
For local defense, the we'll organized naval
militia ought never to be dispensed with
As at present constituted, some states take
a deeper interest in the work than others,
That the work itself is of value and is
susceptible of being made Of still greater
value will not be disputed. A significant
feature Of Lieutenant Southerland's report
Is the fact that so many state organiza-
uons this past year have declined the de-
partment's offer to take a cruise for the
purpose Of practice and drill.
Legislation Needed.
The subject of naval reserve deserves
the earnest consideration of the DEPART
ment, and will be acted on in the near
future. The need Of a reserve force, the
assistant secretary says, is clear to the
mind of every friend of the United States
Eavy, and the time is near at hand when
appeal should be made to Congress to en-
act appropriate legislation for the establish
ment of a well-founded system.
The assistant secretary closes his report
with a strong commendation of the valuable
work in progress at the Naval War Col
lege and in the library and naval war rec
ords office.