Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-10-01
a reasonable previous training in field ma

neuvers.
81 desire to emphasize the Importance of
properly preparing the National Guard
with sufficient and suitable clothing, arms
and Announcements for actual service. and
especially overcoats and shoes, according
to regulation The absence of overcoats
among state troops was q bad oversight
under prevailing changes of temperature
and weather.
IF United States officers had been In
charge of the railroad and the entrafning
would have been on board at the specif1ed
hour, and every train would have pulled
out according to schedule.
LAS compared with the National Guard
the United States infantry do not appear
to be men of as large average physique.
What they lack in stature they make up
for In skill and physical endurance During
my tour of duty | did not observe any
noisy or boisterous conduct among regu-
lars. Upon one occasion, when the state
troops were marching out and one COM
pany in particular talked loudly, while part
of the men INDUCED in the unmilitary prac-
tice of chewing gum, sergeant of the reg
ulars in a loud tone of voice gave the novel
command, Bring your face to parade rest.
ITO be brigaded with the United States
army during fall maneuvers Will be 1nstru-
mental In increasing the efficiency and the
esprit de corps of all state troops, in addi-
ton to the advantages to be derived from
the knowledge of the manner In which
United States officers maneuver their men
in the field.
The Naval Militia.
The assignment of the U. 8. s. Puritan to
the service of the naval militia of the Dis
trict of Columbia is an important step In
the right direction, says the Army and
Navy Register. 1t should be productive of
the most profitable results to that organiza-
ton The naval militia deserves such en-
enlargement and in time it will receive the
same consideration which Congress has
given in the last year or two to the militia
of the states. The government can make
no better investment than that of approprl-
ating money for the militia organizations
of land and water. Both are bound TO
serve as a means of recruiting the regular
establishments in time of trouble and 1t Will
be an augmentation of efficiency in proper
ton to the intelligence of the personnel. II
we are to have men competent to perform
duty on the firing line and on .Shlppoaru
the country must be prepared to PROVIDE
the means of education and training. In
the land forces this has been accomplished
by a liberal appropriation of the annual
allotment of funds for the militia winch
has already become more useful as an arm
of defense and offense through the opera
lions of the militia law. Congress Will De
asked this wear to do as much in proper
ton for the naval militia
There is as much necessity for the train
ing of the young men VINO VIII De Trans ans :
ferred to the naval service in time of war
as for the training of the prospective SOL
der. Congress will not hesitate In Its duty
in that direction, provided the interest
manifested Is not altogether one-sded: Inc
naval militia organizations have an oblga-
tiol also and one they should not shlrk.
Their brethren of the land force have been
placed on a firm footing of practical value
to the country in time of emergency. They
have been converted from playthlngs INTO
something useful; their work has ceased 10
he a nastine and is now serious. The naval
militia can become as valuable to them
selves and to the country, but 1t VIII hot
attain the full measure of joint beneht untll
the naval mlitiamen, themselves take ny
their work with serious intent and apply
themselves purposefully. Perhaps some OF
them do now but most of them are anu
unuuestionable more of them would, were
fine governmental encouragement more Oh
rectly and literally applied One of the I'M
portant duties of Congress during the ne next
session will be to establish the naval militia
on q more efficient basis.